ALAN Richardson and his selection committee face a number of difficult decisions this week. What is our best ruck combination? What is our best forward setup? Who deserves first crack in the midfield? Should we promote one or more rookie to play? These are just a few of the questions that will be raised behind closed doors at Linen House Centre on Thursday.

However before they can be answered, a raft of fitness tests need to be administered and Nick Riewoldt’s availability must be determined.

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Like a domino effect, if Riewoldt is selected, that has consequences for the likes of Paddy McCartin, Tom Lee and Spencer White, who are all vying for a similar spot.

If Riewoldt isn’t selected, there could be an opening for one or more of these young key position players will take on the Giants this Sunday.

White was an emergency for St Kilda’s third NAB Challenge game against Hawthorn but impressed four days later in the VFL, while McCartin booted one major in each of the three NAB Challenge matches.

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Lee has worked exceptionally hard to recover from persistent shoulder complaints over the summer, and although the 24-year-old didn’t kick a goal in Sandringham’s narrow loss to the Northern Blues a fortnight ago, he looked dangerous all afternoon.

“Tom got himself into good positions and had three or four opportunities to take some marks and kick some goals,” Paul Hudson said of Lee in his VFL player review.

“We were pleased with his work rate and how he performed when we chucked him into the ruck.”

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St Kilda’s forward-line dynamic will more than likely include Tim Membrey, who looks poised to play his first game for the Saints on Sunday after two seasons in Sydney for one senior appearance.

Membrey is strong, leads up to the ball and has an impressive turn of speed, yet we won’t know for certain when he will play until the teams are finalised on Friday evening.

Another player who may find himself in the 22 is Josh Bruce, a left footer who also possesses the ability to play in defence. The former Giant registered 10 senior games last year for St Kilda, largely as a backman, but booted three goals against Gold Coast in round 19 up forward, illustrating his versatility.

Josh Bruce has enjoyed an excellent NAB Challenge campaign playing as a forward.

Competing for small forward positions is perhaps the hardest spot to pick. Jack Lonie and rookie Ahmed Saad look to be the frontrunners, although Saad will have to be elevated first if he is to play. Eli Templeton has played further afield this pre-season, while Jack Billings will need to pass a fitness test later this week on his injured hamstring.

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In the midfield, Leigh Montagna’s recovery is ahead of schedule, while David Armitage, Maverick Weller, Jack Newnes and Luke Dunstan all look certain starters. The addition of Montagna would add 232 games of much-needed experience to an exciting but youthful engine room, although the veteran will first need to pass a fitness test on his injured knee.

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Who offers these ball-winners first use remains to be seen. Before the first NAB Challenge match Alan Richardson indicated Tom Hickey and Billy Longer were the front-runners, with Lewis Pierce and rookie Jason Holmes not too far behind.

Like Saad, Holmes would first need to be elevated onto the senior list before taking his place in St Kilda’s line-up. Whether the Saints require two specialists ruckman at all is another difficult question to answer. With Bruce offering some relief over the pre-season, Richardson may well elect to go with just one specialist big man to combat the imposing Shane Mumford. Time will tell.

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Being a fly on the wall at selection would offer a fascinating insight this week. But for now, Saints fans will have to wait until Thursday evening to find out the 25-man squad, and Friday evening for the 22-man team and three emergencies.

The positive is there are plenty of players hungry to cement a spot in Alan Richardson’s best team for what is sure to be an enthralling season opener on Sunday afternoon.