Jack Steven will make his long-awaited return to senior football this weekend against Fremantle.
The four-time Trevor Barker Award winner has taken time away from the game to focus on his mental health, but is a confirmed starter for Sunday afternoon.
It will be the first time Steven lines up for the Saints since Round 6, with the 29-year-old building towards his senior appearance after three weeks in the VFL.
He will be one of seven inclusions, with the similarly decorated Dan Hannebery set to pull on the red, white and black after overcoming a bout of gastro.
Hamstring injuries and intensive conditioning regimes have curtailed the majority of his season, but the triple All Australian is intent on finishing 2019 strongly.
Jack Newnes will return after illness, with Ben Paton, Blake Acres, Bailey Rice and Sam Rowe named on the extended bench.
Jade Gresham will miss at least the next fortnight after fracturing his eye socket last week against Adelaide, while rookie Doulton Langlands has been sidelined with a groin injury.
Daniel McKenzie has been omitted.
Check back into saints.com.au from 5pm this Friday to view the final team.
IN: Acres, Hannebery, Newnes, Paton, Steven
OUT: Gresham (injured), McKenzie (omitted), Langlands (injured)
Pepper Money Squad Selection: Round 21 | |||
B: | Shane Savage | Callum Wilkie | Nick Coffield |
HB: | Jack Newnes | Jake Carlisle | Hunter Clark |
C: | Jack Billings | Sebastian Ross | Dan Hannebery |
HF: | Nick Hind | Josh Bruce | Jack Steele |
F: | Jack Lonie | Tim Membrey | Ben Long |
FOLL: | Rowan Marshall | Luke Dunstan | Jack Steven |
I/C: | Blake Acres | Nathan Brown | Josh Battle |
| Ben Paton | Matthew Parker | Jack Sinclair |
Bailey Rice | Sam Rowe |
|