ST KILDA could showcase up to three of its new draftees in Sunday's season opener against Greater Western Sydney, with young star Jack Billings also in the mix to return from a hamstring injury.

While captain Nick Riewoldt weighs up whether he will play, the Saints could highlight their future by selecting young forwards Paddy McCartin, Jack Lonie and rookie Jack Sinclair.

Director of coaching Danny Sexton said all three had enjoyed strong pre-seasons and would be considered at match committee this week.

"Lonie has played every game, McCartin has played every game and Jack Sinclair … his NAB Challenge form would show that he would acquit himself really well at AFL level," Sexton said.  

"He (Sinclair) came on as the sub halfway through the first game and showed enough for us to select him in the third NAB Challenge match. 

"We will have some guys returning this week, so we'll have (Jarryn) Geary and (David) Armitage and we've spoken about (Shane) Savage and (Jack) Billings as well among a few others who could be available.

"It's going to be good this week, match committee, we're going to have some tough decisions to make."

There is a small chance senior midfielder Leigh Montagna will be available for selection after tearing his medial meniscus in his left knee 11 days ago. 

Billings, meanwhile, suffered a hamstring strain in the Saints' first NAB Challenge match against the Brisbane Lions four weeks ago and will need to prove his fitness in training this week. 

Sinclair could be one of three rookies elevated later this week after the Saints moved Arryn Siposs (shoulder), Seb Ross (hamstring) and Daniel Markworth (shoulder) onto the long-term injury list. 

First-year key defender Hugh Goddard is less likely to break into an experienced backline in round one, but Sexton said the club had faith he could perform if selected early in the season.    

"His game against Essendon … he played on Jonathan Giles and acquitted himself really well," Sexton said. 

"He competed well and he was aggressive that day against a seasoned AFL player, so we think when [the first-year players] get their call up they're going to be physically ready. 

"We think if we can throw them in the deep end, they'd learn to swim pretty quick." 

Sexton said the Saints would decide this week if they selected both Tom Hickey and Billy Longer to rotate in the ruck or use forward Josh Bruce to pinch-hit. 

After serving an 18-month suspension for taking a banned substance, rookie Ahmed Saad could also play his first game since round 19, 2013. 

"He's gone through a hell of a lot," Sexton said.  

"Eighteen months is a long time out … he went away, he got married, he did some stockbroking and he really looked after himself on an individual level. 

"Then to come back in the physical condition he did … if he gets selected we think he'd be ready to pounce and have an influence as an AFL player." 

Paddy McCartin is a $303,000 forward in NAB AFL Fantasy this year. Set up a live draft and take on your mates in Fantasy Elite now