The Saints face a tough ask when they square up to the reigning premiers on enemy territory this Saturday afternoon.

Richmond’s high-intensity, high-pressure game looms as a substantial threat to Alan Richardson’s young side, but the selection committee could look for the answer in some new blood for the third consecutive week.

WATCH: Find out who's in the mix this week

Jake Carlisle passed his preliminary concussion tests earlier in the week, so provided he gets through training on Thursday unscathed, the key defender will be a welcome inclusion back into the side.

Carlisle has been one of St Kilda’s standout performers so far in 2018, and the 26-year-old’s current ranking as 10^th overall in the league for contested marks signals his importance as an interceptor in defence.

Brandon White has been dominant at VFL level for the last two weeks, amassing 33 disposals on the weekend in a best-afield performance that will see his name hotly debated at the selection table.

The young defender provides plenty of run and drive coming out of defence, and his injection into the side could provide a new platform to launch the Saints into attack.

Daniel McKenzie has shown promising signs for Sandringham this year, demonstrating impressive pace and the endurance to run out games.

The athletic left-footer has shown his versatility in being able to play a number of roles and provide damaging run out of defence.

Logan Austin hasn’t played a senior game since crossing over to St Kilda from Port Adelaide, but his recent form for the Zebras could see his name feature heavily in the selection conversation this week.

Standing at 196cm tall, the Canberra boy shapes as the replacement for fellow big man Nathan Brown set to miss through injury.

Ben Paton was in Sandringham’s best on the weekend, collecting 19 touches and laying six tackles.

The promising youngster, taken at pick No. 46 in the 2017 National Draft, has performed consistently in the VFL this year and is pushing hard for his first senior call-up.

Paddy McCartin also passed his preliminary concussion tests this week, and like Carlisle his availability will depend on how he gets through Thursday’s main training session.

The Saints have missed tall targets up forward with McCartin and fellow big man Josh Bruce out through injury, so the 22-year-old could be a welcome sight in front of the ball for the midfield.