St Kilda has made three changes ahead of this Saturday’s encounter with Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, with Tim Membrey, Maverick Weller and Brandon White all returning for the trip to South Australia.

After two interstate trips in a month and a couple of six-day breaks, six-time Trevor Barker Award winner Nick Riewoldt will be rested this weekend to freshen up for the final month of 2017.

Veteran star Leigh Montagna is out after he strained his hamstring in the loss to Sydney and is unlikely to return before the end of August, while midfield recruit Koby Stevens will miss the game with a groin injury.

After serving a two-game suspension for striking Richmond’s Dylan Grimes, Membrey returns to bolster a new look forward line that includes mature-age rookie Rowan Marshall, who made his debut against Sydney last Saturday night.

Medium-sized forward Weller has been recalled to Alan Richardson’s side after producing an eye-catching display in Sandringham’s win over Geelong last Saturday. The Saints leader collected 28 disposals, five tackles and kicked two goals to earn another chance at senior level.

With an abundance of depth across half-back, young rebounding defender Brandon White has been forced to bide his time in the VFL this season, waiting for an opportunity to arise.

But after making his debut in the final round of 2016, the 20-year-old will add to his senior experience this weekend, filling the void left by the injured Montagna.

Triple Trevor Barker Award winner Jack Steven will qualify for St Kilda life membership when he runs out for the 150th time in red, white and black on Saturday afternoon.

After being selected with pick No. 42 in the 2007 National Draft, the boy from Lorne has developed into one of the more damaging midfielders in the competition.

Since Adelaide Oval was redeveloped and began hosting AFL in 2014, St Kilda hasn’t won any of their seven games at the imposing venue, including five by greater than 50 points.

Ken Hinkley’s men have a strong recent record against the Saints winning, all three games during Alan Richardson’s reign, plus two more prior to that during Scott Watters’ tenure.

With so little dividing so many, so much is on the line at Adelaide Oval this weekend. Can St Kilda reignite their flickering finals hopes with a drought breaking win inside South Australia’s sporting colosseum?

Round 19 Team v Port Adelaide
Saturday 29, July at 4.35 pm
Adelaide Oval

B: Jarryn Geary, Nathan Brown, Dylan Roberton
HB: Jack Newnes, Jake Carlisle, Jimmy Webster
C: Shane Savage, Luke Dunstan, Jack Billings
HF: Jack Sinclair, Josh Bruce, Blake Acres
F: Jade Gresham, Tim Membrey, Rowan Marshall
R: Billy Longer, Seb Ross, Jack Steven
Interchange: Jack Steele, Jack Lonie, Brandon White, Maverick Weller
Emergencies: Tom Hickey, Ben Long, Dan McKenzie

IN: M. Weller, T. Membrey, B. White
OUT: N. Riewoldt (managed), L. Montagna (hamstring), K. Stevens (groin)

Milestone: J. Steven – 150 games