TOM Hickey will play his first senior game since round 10 after being named in the forward pocket for Sunday’s round 18 game against Port Adelaide.
Nick Riewoldt and Jack Lonie have been rested for the weekend, while Sam Gilbert will miss with a quad strain.
Two of Cameron Shenton, Seb Ross, Nathan Wright, Tim Membrey and Daniel McKenzie will play after they were named on an extended seven-man bench - assuming no more omissions are made.
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But the news of the day is Hickey, who according to Alan Richardson, will play an important role in assisting Billy Longer against Port Adelaide duo Matthew Lobbe and Patrick Ryder.
“Tom has had strong form at VFL level and has earned his opportunity to come up against two strong ruckman,” Richardson told SAINTS.com.au.
“Given the fact Nick Riewoldt won’t play, we need Josh Bruce to spend more time forward and as a result need another ruckman.”
“It’s good to have Tom back in the team to play both as a forward and in the ruck.”
St Kilda will name its final 22 on Friday at 5pm.
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B: Geary Goddard Dempster
HB: Savage Fisher Roberton
C: Newnes Armitage Webster
HF: Montagna Bruce Sinclair
F: Weller McCartin Hickey
FOLL: Longer Dunstan Steven
EXTENDED I/C: Templeton, Ross, Schneider, McKenzie, Wright, Membrey, Shenton
In: Shenton, Ross, Hickey, Wright, Membrey, McKenzie
Out: Riewoldt (Calf soreness), Gilbert (Quad), Lonie (Rested)
