The Saints are desperate to bounce back from an underwhelming fortnight of football, and after five changes last week, the selection committee could look to significantly shuffle the playing deck again.
After the Tribunal handed down a three-match suspension to key defender Nathan Brown and with Josh Battle again unavailable due to
Hugh Goddard’s 22-disposal, 14-mark haul in the VFL was the latest in a string of solid showings for Sandringham, capping off his best month of football all year.
21-year-old Goddard still has plenty of football ahead of him, and with his ability to read the ball mid-flight and intercept mark, the well-built key defender shapes as a likely replacement for the suspended Nathan Brown.
WATCH: Goddard VFL Highlights (Round 19)
Logan Austin is another who could fill the post of a key defender in Brown’s absence, the ex-Port Adelaide man having fully recovered from the groin strain that sidelined him in July.
Luke Dunstan responded in the best possible fashion at VFL level after being left out of the senior side, amassing a game-high 32 disposals and laying eight tackles.
The South Australian’s game is built on high aggression and elite pressure, and his fierce attack on the inside ball for Sandringham could see him earn an immediate senior recall.
Youngster Nick Coffield has been in and out of the senior side in 2018 as he focusses on building his defensive game against the bigger bodies of the AFL.
In just his first year in the system, the top 10 draft pick has shown the class and composure on the ball that earned his early selection, and Coffield’s decision-making ability in the back half could help steady the Saints out of defence.
Fellow first-year Saint Oscar Clavarino has improved every week, and with growing confidence in both his body and his intercept marking ability, his name will certainly be discussed at the selection table.
And finally, Irish recruit Ray Connellan enjoyed another big day out in front of the sticks, nailing three goals straight and applying elite pressure all afternoon to continue his push for a debut.
