St Kilda has named a relatively inexperienced 29-man squad to face North Melbourne in the weekend of the NAB Challenge series, providing a wave of emerging players an opportunity to impress first-up.

Only seven members of the travelling party to Wangaratta have played over 50 games, with Sean Dempster (203 games), Sam Gilbert (157 games) and Jack Steven (112 games) the only players to have played more than 100 games.

Key forwards Paddy McCartin and Josh Bruce worked well in tandem during last Friday night’s intra-club match and should get another opportunity against the Kangaroos to build their synergy inside 50.

After having the second half of last season derailed by injury, No. 3 draft pick Jack Billings will continue his return to league football. The highly-rated young gun stood out at Trevor Barker Oval last week, demonstrating how damaging his left-foot can be forward of centre.

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Experienced defender Gilbert spent last Friday night playing through the midfield and could be set for more time in there this weekend given how effective he was around the stoppages playing as a tall, mobile midfielder.

A wave of younger midfielders are included in St Kilda’s preliminary squad, including Jack Newnes, Mav Weller, Luke Dunstan, Seb Ross and Blake Acres – all five have produced impressive pre-seasons at Linen House Centre and will be looking to carry that form into the NAB Challenge games ahead of Round 1.

The ruck duel at the Saints has been intriguing over the summer months with all four ruckmen – Billy Longer, Tom Hickey, Jason Holmes and Lewis Pierce – fighting each day for a spot in Alan Richardson’s side. The latter three have all been named for the opening week of the NAB Challenge series.

NAB Challenge Week One

St Kilda v North Melbourne
2.05pm, Saturday 20 February
Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta

Squads: