Fresh off a hard-fought win over Geelong, St Kilda will be hoping to ride that momentum into Adelaide as they take on the Crows on Saturday night of Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Despite injuries to skipper Jack Steele and lively forward Jack Higgins, Brett Ratten will be buoyed by the availability of two key Saints as they look to secure a second straight victory.

However, a number of impressive performances in the VFL over the last few weeks will be sure to see the selection panel mulling over who is in the best 22 to take to the field at Adelaide Oval.

Mitch Owens

Time after time, Jake Batchelor has labelled young Mitch Owens as a "midfield bull". With a powerful build and ability to win the footy, the Saints could look to bring the youngster back into the fold.

Owens had his best game of the season in Sandringham's last outing against Northern Bullants, finishing with 32 disposals, 10 clearances and eight inside-50s to firmly put his name in the mix for selection.

Building a reputation as a player with explosive power who enjoys crashing a pack, the 18-year-old NGA graduate has trained strongly this week and will be pushing hard to line up against Adelaide for his second senior game. 

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera

Silky smooth with ball in hand and pinpoint accurate by foot, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has quickly made his mark within the St Kilda line-up.

Taken with the pick No. 11 in the 2021 draft, the 18-year-old South Australian made his on-field debut in Round 2 against Fremantle and hasn’t looked back since, slotting in nicely along the wings.

While not producing enormous numbers, it is Wanganeen-Milera's ability to hit targets, manoeuvre his body to get past the opposition and clever decision making that has Saints' fans excited.

Although managed last week, the former SANFL product will be hoping to see his name on the team sheet to play AFL footy for the first time in his home state.

Dan Butler 

Having missed his first game since arriving to the club at the end of 2019 due to Achilles soreness, Dan Butler will be raring to break back into the line-up ahead of this weekend’s trip across the border.

Renowned within the club for his pressure acts and attack on the footy, Butler's role will become that much more important if selected, needing to make up for the lack of Higgins who will miss due to concussion.

Despite being out of action against Geelong, the 25-year-old has bounced back well this week and is progressing well to put his hand up for selection this week against the Crows.

In Contention

After putting together a number of strong performances in the VFL, Jarryn Geary will be keen to building closer towards an AFL comeback after a long lay-off with injury.

Returning through the Zebras at the start of the season following an interrupted 2021, the former skipper has been lauded by Batchelor for his leadership skills and calm head down back while marshalling the troops.

Another who has impressed in the backline is Jarrod Lienert, who was dogged down back in his last game for Sandringham, gathering 31 disposals as he worked alongside Geary, Tom Highmore and Oscar Adams to repel the opposition forwards.

Handed the medical sub vest in his last two games of AFL, Lienert will be looking to make his way back into the 22 and return to Adelaide Oval for the first time as a Saint.

Meanwhile, Hunter Clark is continuing to make strides after recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in the AAMI Community Series pre-season match against Essendon.

The 23-year-old played his first game of competitive footy last weekend for the Zebras and will look to build up form as he eyes of a return to the St Kilda line-up.