ST KILDA has made two changes to the team that narrowly lost to GWS last Sunday.

Jack Billings returns to the side following a 32-disposal performance in the VFL, while Tom Curren has also been included and will add significant grunt to the team’s midfield department.

Eli Templeton has been omitted, while Leigh Montagna will miss with a knee injury that is only expected to sideline him for one match.

UPDATED: Injury list

Having not played a senior game since round 20 last year, Billings’ inclusion will excite Saints fans, given the 19-year-old’s class and elite ball skills.

“Jack is a very talented player,” Richardson told SAINTS.com.au.

“There is no doubt that when Jack has got the ball, we tend to maintain possession and we’re really pleased to have him back in.”

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Curren was one of three emergencies last weekend, although didn’t play for Sandringham on Saturday in case he was required to be a late inclusion for the AFL game on Sunday.

The 22-year-old has played 23 senior games since debuting in round 17, 2013, primarily as a tagger.

“As soon as the ball was bounced in round one we knew we didn’t need our emergency so he took off and got a training session done so he could stay on par with everyone else,” Richardson said.

"Tom is ready to go. He’s had a really strong pre-season and we know we’re going to get really good effort and a team first mentality. At his best, he’s really aggressive and applies terrific pressure."

PREVIEW: St Kilda vs Gold Coast

Templeton, Blake Acres and the fit-again Nathan Wright have been named as the emergencies.

Meanwhile Sam Fisher will play his 200th AFL game, Luke Delaney his 50th and Maverick Weller also his 50th. Nick Riewoldt will equal Wayne Carey as the sixth longest serving captain ever, skippering St Kilda for the 184th time. 

RELATED: Gold Coast open training

St Kilda team vs Gold Coast

B:        Savage           Delaney          Dempster

HB:     Geary              Fisher             Newnes

C:        Shenton         Armitage        Steven

HF:      Lonie              Riewoldt         Sinclair

F:         Membrey        Bruce              Saad

FOLL: Longer            Dunstan         Weller

I/C:      Schneider      Billings         Roberton        Curren

EMERG: Templeton     Acres              Wright

IN: Billings, Curren

OUT: Templeton, Montagna (knee)

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