LEWIS Pierce will begin tonight’s game against Hawthorn in the green vest, Alan Richardson confirmed on Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference alongside CEO Matt Finnis, Richardson also said key defender Hugh Goddard would be first emergency and not play.

“Billy Longer has had a lot of minutes so he will have a rest,” Richardson said.

“Lewis Pierce will play and start as the sub tonight.”

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Pierce, 20, is yet to play a game in the red, white and black after two seasons on St Kilda’s list.

He and Tom Hickey will come up against former Saint Ben McEvoy and Jonathon Ceglar this evening as Hickey continues to find match fitness following a pre-Christmas knee operation.

“Hickey played last week and will have to get through significant time tonight so that he can be really confident,” Richardson said,

“There is some real competition for spots and we like it that way.”

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With Sam Fisher, Sean Dempster and Luke Delaney all fit; there was no room for Goddard in the 24-man team.

The 18-year-old had a game-high 10 one percenters against Essendon in Morwell a fortnight ago.

In other selection news, Richardson gave his best indication yet that Ahmed Saad could be in line for rookie elevation. The popular small forward will push further afield tonight in a bid to test his endurance base.

“We’ve got some decisions to make,” Richardson conceded.

“Ahmed has been pretty impressive, not only in the way that he’s played his role but he’s embraced all the training we’ve asked of him.

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“He gives us plenty of speed and he’s obviously quite creative. He will play a little bit on the wing tonight and push up. It’s a pretty new-look front half with Ahmed, Tim Membrey coming to our footy club and Brucey (Josh Bruce) has played a pretty good role, so has Paddy McCartin.

“We’ll make that call closer to round one.”

But before the Saints elevate a rookie, they would first have to place a senior-listed player onto the long-term injury list, with Daniel Markworth and Arryn Siposs (both shoulder injuries) the most likely to make way.

Ahmed Saad was at his elusive best against Essendon.