St Kilda gave it everything last Saturday afternoon at the SCG, but some final polish was the difference between a vital four points against the Swans.
Adding to the hurt was a nasty shoulder dislocation suffered by co-captain Jarryn Geary, while Mason Wood (hamstring) and Max King (back) dealt with injuries from the game themselves.
But with adversity comes opportunity, and for the Saints waiting in the wings, the opportunity is there for the taking.
Jack Bytel
Jack Bytel is a frontrunner to return to the senior line-up on Saturday night, particularly in light of fellow midfielder Seb Ross returning to Victoria earlier this week.
The 21-year-old has spent the past fortnight in reserve, with the return of an in-form Luke Dunstan keeping the young midfielder at bay.
But with a number of Saints falling to injury and Ross and Tim Membrey departing Sydney at the beginning of the week, the opportunity is there for Bytel to put his hand up and subsequently make his mark.
The 12-gamer has played nine senior matches this season, with two spent as the medical sub (both used).
Jack Lonie
Unused as the medical sub against North Melbourne, Jack Lonie will be after an opportunity to secure his spot in St Kilda's initial 22.
The small-forward was last seen against the Western Bulldogs and has unfortunately not had the chance to build on his case at the selection table due to the COVID-19 restrictions cancelling any VFL games in Melbourne.
In his sole game for the Zebras this season, the No. 13 jagged three goals from 22 disposals and drew praise from Sandringham coach Jake Batchelor for his pressure inside the arc.
His harrowing presence up forward has been a constant throughout Lonie’s career, with the 86-gamer sitting at second for total tackles inside 50 in 2020 and ninth for total pressure acts in 2020.
Ben Long
The chance for Ben Long to regain his place in the senior side has never been better than for the clash with the Crows in Cairns.
The 23-year-old was the medical sub against Geelong but hasn’t been able to break back into the team since, taking the field for the Zebras until the Melbourne lockdown put games on hiatus.
Long’s last game of competitive footy saw him collect 12 disposals and grab five marks in Sandringham’s 11-point win over Aspley three weeks ago.
In Contention
While the club's injury list took on a few more names against Sydney, two key defenders will be a chance to return to the senior 22.
James Frawley (shoulder) and Darragh Joyce (concussion) are set to undergo tests as they push to prove their fitness for the Adelaide game.
They shape as two timely additions for the Saints, particularly with Jarryn Geary set to spend a period on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.
Ruckman Paul Hunter is also a chance to partner Paddy Ryder in the ruck, while Cooper Sharman will likely be mentioned at the selection table after joining the club in Sydney on Monday.
