Alan Richardson’s side returns to Etihad Stadium this Friday night for the annual Maddie’s Match, and the coach and his selection committee have some tough discussions ahead.

A handful of Saints are pushing their names for a senior spot but after the Saints’ resounding 64-point win over the Blues, who will make way?

Seb Ross has been one of the Saints’ most consistent performers this year, averaging 29.9 disposals, 9.8 contested possessions, 5.1 clearances and 4.3 tackles per game.

After withdrawing late last week due to illness, the 2017 Trevor Barker Award winner should come straight back into the senior side.

Josh Battle sustained a fractured eye socket early on in the win over Melbourne, but he was forced to miss two weeks after playing out the game.

The promising 19-year-old has only four senior games to his name, but both his seven goals and presence in the forward line have gone a long way to solidifying his spot.


Josh Battle could make his return to the senior side

Blake Acres’ season has been interrupted by persistent groin soreness, and the 51-gamer hasn’t played senior football since mid-May.

The Western Australian has played the last two games in the VFL to boost his match fitness, amassing 55 disposals in a fortnight to press his case for an immediate senior recall.

Ben Paton is coming off a two-goal, 14-tackle performance for Sandringham, and he continues to press his case for a senior debut.

Still in his first year at the club, the inside midfielder is developing his body well, and Zebras head coach Aaron Hamill “would be surprised if we didn’t see ‘Pato’ make his debut this year”.

READ: Sammy's VFL review

Brandon White caught the attention of St Kilda fans with his elite left foot as well as his ability to show composure and hit targets under extreme pressure.

With just 10 senior games under his belt, the Dandenong Stingrays product will be hoping to finish the season strongly by breaking back into the St Kilda defensive line-up.

Nathan Freeman is growing week-on-week in confidence in both his ability and his body, and the 23-year-old midfielder will be desperate for a chance at a long-awaited senior debut this year.

Freeman’s ability to win the ball is self-evident, and Hamill’s desire to see a higher defensive work-rate from the young gun appears to be paying off, the Zebras coach telling saints.com.au he’s not “too far off”.

Like Freeman, Hugh Goddard has endured a torrid run with injuries of late, and the impressively-sized cousin of ex-Saint Brendon is starting to hit his straps for Sandringham.

At 21 years of age, the young key defender looms as an imposing prospect for the Saints in years to come, and his maturation and growth this year could see him playing senior footy for the first time since 2016.

In exciting news for Saints fans, 2018 Rising Star nominee Ben Long is now just one week away from a return to football after fracturing his foot in early May.