The Saints are bolstered by a raft of inclusions for this Sunday’s twilight game at Etihad Stadium as eight players make their return to the side.

Brendon Goddard, Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo and Captain Nick Riewoldt are on a long list of additions that also includes Lenny Hayes, Sam Fisher, Sam Gilbert and Steven Baker.

All of these players were absent from St Kilda’s win over Hawthorn due to injury or illness and Gilbert is back after missing two weeks with back soreness.

Five players make way including Andrew McQualter with a groin injury and Robert Eddy, Ben McEvoy, Colm Begley and Jarryn Geary who have all been omitted. A final 22 will be named on Friday afternoon.

St Kilda Football Manager Greg Hutchison said, “It’s great to welcome a number of our key players back after missing last week’s match with injury. They all trained well and proved to the match committee that they were ready to make their return. We still have our final training session to go before assessing the squad and naming a final 22 on Friday afternoon.

“Andrew McQualter unfortunately sustained a groin injury that made him unavailable for selection and the four players omitted will all play with Sandringham against Frankston in the VFL on Saturday afternoon.”