Several Saints will be out to impress in the VFL this weekend, when Sandringham hosts Geelong in search of their sixth win of the season.

Ruckman Tom Hickey, Rowan Marshall and Jack Lonie have all been recalled to the St Kilda side for Friday night’s clash with Carlton, while Billy Longer makes way and will assume rucking duties for Sandringham on Sunday afternoon.

Blake Acres will spend a second week in the VFL in his comeback from injury, while Irishman Darragh Joyce also returns to Aaron Hamill’s team along with consistent defender Bailey Rice.

READ: Marshall fires, Acres back

ALL THE DETAILS

Where: Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham

When: Sunday 15 July

Time: 2pm

Conditions: Mostly sunny reaching a top of 12 degrees

Form guide:

Sandringham (11th, 5-6-1) has struggled to string together consecutive wins this season, unable to put Coburg away last week after a strong victory over Port Melbourne in Round 13. After a nail-biting two-point win over Geelong in round two, Sunday looms as another close contest between the two sides.

Geelong (3rd, 9-3) are in good form and look set for a top four finish, after a six-game winning streak capped off by a comfortable win over Frankston by 70 points at Skybus Stadium.


Blake Acres will spend a second week in the VFL in his comeback from injury

Selected team:

B: N. Coffield, D. Joyce, B. White

HB: O. Clavarino, H. Goddard, B. Rice

C: M. Cook, N. Freeman, D. Langlands

HF: B. Acres, T. Lamb, K. Answerth

F: R. Connellan, H. McLean, J. Haidon

R: B. Longer, B. Seccull, B. Paton

Int: B. Bailey, J. Hille, T. Laumets, J. Noone, N. Smith, J. Sziller, L. Verma, D. Weickhardt

23P: K. Nissenbaum

Players to watch:

SANDRINGHAM

Blake Acres

The clear standout in his first game back from injury, the hard-running Acres picked up 31 disposals and laid eight tackles in last week’s draw with Coburg. Aaron Hamill will be looking for more of the same on the Zebras’ home deck, where the opposition runs deep in midfield numbers.

Ben Paton

The first-year Saint has been very impressive at VFL level with high numbers and intensity, averaging 19 disposals and six tackles per game for the Zebras. In the draw with Coburg last round, Paton finished with 23 touches and ten tackles, as he continues to press his case for an AFL debut.

GEELONG

Stewart Crameri

The experienced forward was the focal point for the Cats in attack in the win over Frankston last week, finishing with five majors and seven marks from seven shots on goal. The 29-year-old has 14 goals from six VFL games this season.

George Horlin-Smith

The tough midfielder was superb at Skybus Stadium last week, finishing with 41 disposals, seven tackles and two goals. The 25-year-old continues to work hard for his next AFL recall, averaging 29 disposals and five tackles from six VFL appearances.