It was an impressive win from St Kilda on Friday night, who fought tooth and nail against the Blues to head home from Marvel Stadium with the four points.

Now the Saints’ sights are set firmly on the fourth-placed Dockers, with the red, white and black keen to keep the momentum rolling ahead as the 2022 finish line draws closer.

With Friday's brutal encounter against the Blues seeing Hunter Clark and Dougal Howard set for a stint on the sidelines, the opportunity will now arise for a couple of Saints to step up into some big roles.

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Darragh Joyce

Darragh Joyce may be in line for a senior recall. Photo: Lucy Edwards.

After weeks of leading his defensive troops against the VFL’s best, Darragh Joyce is in the frame to return to the senior 22 this Saturday night.

The 25-year-old Irishman has not appeared in St Kilda colours since Round 2 (also against Fremantle), mainly due to Howard and Callum Wilkie locking away the club's two key defensive posts, but his strong work in Sandringham's backline has not gone unnoticed.

Often commended by Development and VFL Senior Coach Jake Batchelor on being the “most influential player” in the side, Joyce is a likely option to combat the Dockers’ tall forwards in Rory Lobb and Matt Taberner.

Ben Long

Ben Long celebrates a goal earlier in the season. Photo: Lucy Edwards.

Forward pressure results in goals, as we saw on Friday night, so if the Saints are looking to utilise another small forward who loves to chase and tackle, Ben Long may be their man.

Creative with ball in hand and regarded for his pressure inside-50, the sixth-year Saint has impressed during the year with his relentless attack on the footy.

Despite the lack of VFL over the weekend to help Long push his selection case, the No. 21 has shown what he is capable of.

If the Saints want to add some further ground-ball pressure inside-50, they may look to bring Long back into the fold.

Ryan Byrnes

Ryan Byrnes may slot into a role on the wing. Photo: Lucy Edwards.

Despite coming to the Saints as an inside midfielder, Ryan Byrnes may have to slightly alter that should he be given the task of replacing Hunter Clark this Saturday night.

With the silky winger going down last weekend in a gruesome collision with Dan Butler, the role is looking as though it may be Byrnes' to fill.

While the youngster has been unable to lock down a consistent spot in the 22 this season, it may be on the outside rather than inside where he'll be needed most for Saturday night.

In contention

Ben Paton may come back into the side to help combat the Fremantle small forwards. Photo: Corey Scicluna.

With Howard out of action for the time being, the Saints may look to bring Ben Paton back against the Dockers.

Despite the tall targets of Lobb and Taberner taking up the spotlight, Fremantle also possess dangerous smaller forwards such as Lachie Schultz and Michael Walters, and Brett Ratten could look to bring in Paton to nullify their impact.

Cooper Sharman is another who will be looking to break back into the line-up against the Dockers and add to his 2022 tally of five games for the year, while Tom Campbell continues to rack up big numbers for the Zebras as he makes sure he is ready should the Saints call upon him.

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