Blake Acres: Should be set to take his game to the next level and St Kilda need the West Australian to deliver on his immense potential. Acres' strength and running power means he can play on the inside or outside, although his kicking sometimes lets him down.

David Armitage: It will be a relief for coach Alan Richardson to have the Queenslander back at his disposal. Tough inside the contest and a leader, Armitage was missed last year, when he had two bouts of groin surgery.

Jack Billings: Inaccurate goalkicking was probably the only reason the left-footer didn't make the All Australian squad of 40 last year, at the least. The irony is Billings is probably the best kick at the club. Will spend more time on a wing this season.

Luke Dunstan: The South Australian is held in high regard at the Saints for his ability to influence games when required. An indifferent 2017 saw him dropped on three occasions but the hard nut impressed when he returned for the final six games of the season.

Nathan Freeman: Yet another hamstring setback in February required surgery. He has had a terrible run of luck but offers outside run when fit, as he showed in the VFL last season when he managed 13 games.

Tom Hickey: It was a dismal 2017 for the Queensland native. He lost his ruck spot to Billy Longer early in the year and then in August suffered a right shoulder injury that would require a reconstruction. That hampered him for much of the pre-season and Hickey needs to lift to win his spot back.

Doulton Langlands: Picked up as a rookie last year, Langlands offers plenty of class and pace on the outside. Needs more development but if he improves at Sandringham, Langlands has the traits to complement the senior side nicely.

Billy Longer: A calf concern hampered the ruckman during the pre-season, before he hurt his left hip flexor recently, although Longer is not in doubt for round one. A physical big man who throws his weight around.

Jack Newnes: One of the most durable players in the competition, Newnes has played 88 consecutive games, which is the sixth-longest active streak in the AFL. The right-footer has established himself as a leader and a hard-running wingman.

Ben Paton: Thumb surgery will keep the draftee out for another few weeks. He looms as a quick wingman who can use the football on both sides of his body. At 186cm, Paton is a good size.

Ed Phillips: The brother of Collingwood's Tom is an elite runner and played on a wing and across half-back last year for Sandringham. A left ankle injury sidelined him midway through last season but he returned and his form was encouraging. Could make his debut this season.

Seb Ross: A well deserving winner of last year's Trevor Barker Award, Ross has all the traits required of a midfielder. He can win it himself, has a reliable left boot and is quicker than he might seem at first glance. His commitment to the defensive side of the game is impressive.

Jack Sinclair: Broke through last year and cemented a spot in the senior side. Sinclair was given a chance on a wing and showed his speed and class. The Saints are optimistic he can improve once again.

Jack Steele: Few relish tackling like the former Giant does. He ranked second in tackles per game last season (behind Geelong's Scott Selwood), but the next step is to become a more consistent ball-winner because he's capable of doing so. Steele suffered a minor left ankle injury in the last session before the Christmas break but didn't miss any training.

Jack Steven: A left ankle injury in the final pre-season clash against Melbourne is bothering Steven but he should be right for round one. Gone are the hamstring tendinitis issues of last season so the onballer should return to his consistent best. Will have stints up forward.

Koby Stevens: Hard in the contest, Stevens adds to the Saints' glut of inside midfielders. He had both groins operated on at the end of last season and has trained well throughout the pre-season. – Dinny Navaratnam