Intrigue surrounds the selection table at St Kilda, as the Saints hope to bite back following three consecutive losses.
After nine changes in the past two weeks, the big question is: does Alan Richardson again shake up his side ahead of the clash with the Giants?
The answer may be cleared after Thursday’s main training, with several players needing to prove their fitness before being earmarked for a return.
Important players Tim Membrey and Jimmy Webster are racing the clock as they attempt to overcome knee and hip injuries respectively.
Both trained in Tuesday’s light session but will need a strong showing on Thursday in order to convince selectors.
Membrey has been the Saints’ leading goalkicker in each of the past two seasons and his inclusion would be a huge boost for the senior side.
Young tall Rowan Marshall again showed promise in the loss to the Cats before sitting out the second half with concussion.
His availability will depend on testing with the Saints’ medical team before he takes the field for his fourth senior appearance.
If the talented youngster does miss the Round 5 encounter, another emerging key forward is ready and waiting.
Young spearhead Josh Battle delivered the goal of the day for Sandringham on Sunday, unloading from outside 50m on an acute angle.
The second-year Saint has shown plenty of promise at VFL level, and his goal sense could be a timely addition to Richardson’s side.
Draftee Hunter Clark sat out Sunday’s clash as the carryover emergency and will be ready to go if called upon to face the Giants.
A number of experienced Saints shone in the Zebras’ nail-biting two-point triumph over Geelong.
David Armitage was a standout for the Zebras, amassing 34 disposals (22 contested), nine clearances and seven tackles. The 29-year-old’s ability to find the footy was even more impressive given the torrid conditions around the bay on a wet and windy Sunday afternoon.
Experienced midfielder Mav Weller also won plenty of the ball, collecting 25 disposals and laying five tackles. Weller also nailed an important goal that gave the Zebras an eight-point lead late in the final term.
Nathan Wright’s two-goal performance could see him also feature heavily in discussions as the Saints try to find the right mix up forward.
Tom Hickey picked up 14 touches and won 22 hit-outs on a day where the Saints won the clearance count convincingly (29-44), but Billy Longer put in a dominant shift for the Zebras, winning 53 hit-outs to beat Geelong’s Zac Smith.
A host of other prominent Saints have already been ruled out of this weekend’s clash through injury, including Josh Bruce, Dylan Roberton and Koby Stevens.
