As had been forecast prior to the start of the NAB Challenge series, game two in Mackay will see a far more experienced St Kilda outfit travel north as the club looks to ramp up its preparations ahead of the premiership season.

The Saints have sent a strong squad to face the Brisbane Lions at the Harrup Park Country Club, with a handful of seasoned stars set for their first hit out of the pre-season. Stalwarts Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna and Sam Fisher head the inclusions, as well as established leaders Jarryn Geary and David Armitage.

For the second consecutive week of the NAB Challenge series, Senior Coach Alan Richardson will provide one of his assistants with the opportunity to lead the side. Senior Assistant Coach Adam Kingsley gets the chance to sit in the hot seat on Sunday, following on from Director of Coaching & Development Danny Sexton, who coached against North Melbourne in Wangaratta.

The return of Armitage and Montagna – two players who filled two of the top four spots in last year’s best and fairest - will see St Kilda field a near full strength onball department, with the pair joining reigning Trevor Barker Award winner Jack Steven and Sam Gilbert, plus a wave of young talent in Jack Billings, Mav Weller, Jack Newnes, Seb Ross, Blake Acres and Luke Dunstan.

After losing to the Gold Coast Suns in their first clash of the pre-season, Brisbane Coach Justin Leppitsch has named a more experienced side, with captain Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley, Stefan Martin, Daniel Rich and the recently re-signed Dayne Zorko all set to play in Mackay.

Off-season acquisitions Tom Bell, Josh Walker and Ryan Bastinac have all been named, whilst last year’s star recruit Dayne Beams hasn’t, as he is yet to overcome a shoulder reconstruction, with Josh Green and Allen Christensen the other notable exclusions. Three of the Lions top picks from last November’s National Draft have all been included – Josh Schache (pick No. 2), Eric Hipwood (No. 14) and Ben Keays (No. 24).

Six-time Trevor Barker Award winner Riewoldt might be set for more time on a wing and through the middle of the ground in 2016, but with key forward Paddy McCartin absent due to injury, Riewoldt is likely to spend the bulk of Sunday up forward, alongside Josh Bruce and Tim Membrey. Former Swan Membrey returns for his first run of the pre-season following a shoulder reconstruction at the end of last season.

Ruckman Billy Longer won’t make the trip to the sunshine state to face his old side, with the Saints opting to send Tom Hickey and rookie Jason Holmes. The pair is set for a strong assignment against one of the premier all-round ruckmen in the game in Stefan Martin, who was one of four Lions to share the club best and fairest in 2015.

With the return of dual All Australian Fisher, the Saints’ experience in the back six is significantly bolstered. Along with Sean Dempster and Geary, plus Gilbert and Montagna – who should spend time down there – St Kilda possesses a handful of wise, old heads down back. Both Luke Delaney and Tom Lee have another opportunity to press their claims for a spot in Alan Richardson’s Round 1 side after being selected again. 

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