St Kilda has made three changes ahead of Sunday’s clash with Geelong at Etihad Stadium, with Jack Steven, Billy Longer and Darren Minchington coming into the side that beat Collingwood on Easter Sunday.

After missing the last fortnight with a punctured lung, Steven boosts the Saints’ midfield that won’t include David Armitage after Alan Richardson confirmed the star midfielder will miss an extended period on Friday morning.

Ruckman Tom Hickey won’t face the Cats with the club electing to manage the 25-year-old’s workload, opening the door for Longer to return to senior level for the first time in 617 days.

Dynamic midfielder-forward Minchington replaces livewire forward Jack Lonie in the 22, following his dominant 32-disposal, four-goal performance for Sandringham against Essendon last Saturday.

Rebounding defender Shane Savage and new midfielder Koby Stevens have been named as emergencies, along with Lonie after the small forward was left out for the first time in 2017.

St Kilda won the last encounter between the two sides in the middle of last season, eclipsing the Cats in a thrilling encounter in Round 14. A year earlier, the clash finished in a draw, setting the scene for an enthralling game on Sunday.

Friday Microscope: Round 5 v Geelong

Round 5 Team v Geelong
Sunday April 23 at 3.20 pm
Etihad Stadium

B: Jarryn Geary, Nathan Brown, Jimmy Webster
HB: Jack Newnes, Jake Carlisle, Dylan Roberton
C: Jack Billings, Jack Steele, Leigh Montagna
HF: Ben Long, Nick Riewoldt, Maverick Weller
F: Jade Gresham, Josh Bruce, Tim Membrey
R: Billy Longer, Seb Ross, Jack Steven
Interchange: Luke Dunstan, Blake Acres, Sam Gilbert, Darren Minchington
Emergencies: Shane Savage, Jack Lonie, Koby Stevens

IN: Jack Steven, Billy Longer, Darren Minchington
OUT: David Armitage (groin), Tom Hickey (managed), Jack Lonie (omitted)