ST KILDA will make at least one change to the team that was defeated by Sydney last week with Adam Schneider’s retirement opening the door for a host of players to return.

At the top of this list is Jack Lonie, who has played 16 senior games this season but none since he injured his leg in round 19.

Fellow crumbing forward Jack Sinclair has enjoyed a similarly promising first season of senior footy and is also in the hunt to replace Schneider this Saturday night against West Coast.

The 20-year-old has played 17 senior matches in 2015 and last wore the red, white and black three weeks ago against North Melbourne in Hobart.

Open training: Domain Stadium, Friday

Other players who may be part of the selection committee’s discussion include Josh Saunders, who collected 24 disposals in the VFL on Saturday, and Blake Acres, who has recovered from a minor quad strain.

Ruckman Lewis Pierce also put his name forward for a debut with his efforts against Melbourne big man Mark Jamar on the weekend.

Tasked with the responsibility of rucking the entire game by himself, Pierce was competitive in the hit outs and collected 21 disposals around the ground.

While the 20-year-old played in the NAB Challenge and was emergency in rounds 22 and 23 last year, he is generally seen as a work in progress given his developing physical frame.

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However Billy Longer’s season-ending shoulder surgery, coupled with Jason Holmes meteoric rise, has Pierce closer than ever to make what would be a long-awaited AFL debut.

“Lewis was outstanding,” Paul Hudson said in his VFL review.

“He covered the outlets really well and intercepted a few. He was able to get off Jamar and find the ball around the ground. It was a terrific performance from Lewis. 16 handballs indicated that he followed up. We won the clearances and he and Clint Jones had a lot to do with this.”

Stay tuned to SAINTS.com.au at 6.30pm on Thursday for St Kilda's final 22 plus three emergencies.