The festival of footy may have come to an end, but it doesn’t mean the red, white and black will be putting their feet up.

A top-eight clash against Brisbane awaits this coming Sunday as part of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, with a fresh wave of Saints reasserting their cases for senior selection ahead of the significant fixture.

Jake Carlisle

Jake Carlisle missed the opportunity to come up against his old side after being managed last Sunday, but is now a frontrunner to return to the senior ranks for Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

The key defender’s inclusion would be a welcome addition to combat the Lions’ tall forward stocks, plus add stability to the Saints’ backline should Ben Paton (concussion) be unavailable.

After missing Round 1 through a recurring back injury, the 28-year-old has held down the main post alongside Dougal Howard to place second in St Kilda’s total marks (59), spoils (42) and one-percenters (47).

An appearance on Sunday will mark just the second Sir Doug Nicholls Round outing for Carlisle in Saints colours after missing the past two matches through suspension and injury respectively. 

Dean Kent

Illness, injury and managed workloads have seen Dean Kent flutter in and out of the side in recent weeks.

But the dynamic forward is in the running to reclaim his spot in attack as the Saints’ prepare to tackle to Lions on their home deck. 

Kent’s knack for coming up clutch could come in handy against Brisbane, with four of his eight goals this season coming in the final quarter to steady the ship.

His inclusion to the side could also see the trio of Kent, Dan Butler and Jack Lonie reunite for the first time since Round 7, with the small forward contingent registering 24 goals and 61 tackles (39 inside-50) between them.

Ed Phillips

Experience ultimately won out at the selection table last week as Seb Ross, Paddy Ryder, Zak Jones and Jack Lonie returned against the Bombers, forcing Ed Phillips out of the senior line-up.

The tireless wingman was incredibly unlucky to be omitted, but is fully primed and ready to seize his next opportunity.

Phillips was brought in as a late replacement for Jarryn Geary and Ryder against the Suns and Cats respectively, booting back-to-back goals and notching up 16 disposals at 100 per cent efficiency against the latter.

The 21-year-old has appeared in St Kilda’s previous matches as part of Sir Doug Nicholls Round against West Coast (2018) and Carlton (2019), registering his first career goal against the Blues.

In contention…

Matty Parker will be pushing incredibly hard for a senior recall ahead of Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round in order to represent the Saints in the guernsey he designed for the significant occasion.

The mature-age recruit was prominent in last year’s fixture against Carlton with 13 disposals and two classy goals from long-range.

Ryan Abbott was best-on-ground in last Sunday’s scratch match against Brisbane, with the former Cat manning the main ruck post and booting two goals after being swung up forward.

Youngster Ryan Byrnes remains in the selection frame after making his debut in Round 7, while Shane Savage could slip back into the line-up should Ben Paton be unable to take to the field following his concussion.

Dylan Roberton could also add to the defensive stocks after being selected as an emergency for the past two games.

Jonathon Marsh and Daniel McKenzie have continued to push their case to join the red, white and black’s senior ranks, with the latter set to hit 50 games should he be selected.

Round 12 line-up

IN: Jones, Lonie, Ryder, Ross
OUT: Carlisle (managed), Gresham (injured), Kent (managed), Phillips (omitted)