First glimpse at the future

After acquiring the highly rated pair at pick No. 7 and No. 8 last November, St Kilda will unveil Hunter Clark and Nick Coffield on Friday night, in what will hopefully be the first of many appearances in the red, white and black. The smooth-moving midfielders have impressed on the track this summer, turning heads in last Friday’s extended match simulation session at Trevor Barker Oval. Both teenagers possess composure beyond their years and precise foot skills. Just try and guess Clark’s preferred foot on Friday night and count on Coffield to make the right decision, time after time.

Ross and Dunstan to lead on Friday night

Reigning Trevor Barker Award winner Seb Ross and emerging midfielder Luke Dunstan will each captain one game on Friday night. After following up his breakout 2016 with a stunning 2017, Ross will get out of the gates early this year. Can the tough onballer take another leap in 2018? Dunstan overcame a challenging first half of last year to finish the season with a full head of steam. The South Australian carried that momentum through the entire summer and now arrives at the starting line ready to take his game to another level.

Concept could bring the best out of dashing defenders

In a concept that requires top-end speed and elite disposal, dashing defenders Shane Savage and Jimmy Webster could prove to be St Kilda’s most valuable players in the inaugural AFLX tournament. With dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna hanging up the boots at the end of last season, the pair have been required to elevate their leadership this pre-season. And that’s exactly what they have done. After finishing 7th in last year’s best and fairest, Webster has become a critical cog in St Kilda’s back six in the past couple of seasons. While Savage finished 2017 as well as anyone at Linen House Centre.

A game of opportunity

While a handful of young Saints will get their first opportunity on Friday night, so will Ben McGlynn. The former Hawthorn and Sydney hard man will take the reins of his own side for the very first time, leading the AFLX program alongside Lindsay Gilbee and the Saints’ Performance Analysis Manager Robbie Chancellor. The trio have led preparations for the unknown since the players returned at the start of training, incorporating drills, match simulation and meetings into the normal program.

A long way from Ireland

Former Gaelic Football prodigy Ray Connellan will take the next step in his pursuit of completing a code switch on Friday night. The lightning-quick Irishman will wear the red, white and black for the first time, in a game that will suit his pace and pressure game. Connellan played 17 games for Sandringham in his first year, starting at half-back before moving to a small forward late in the season where he has trained all summer. Will AFLX catapult Connellan towards an AFL debut?