ST KILDA midfielder Luke Dunstan was squeezed out of the club's round one squad because the Saints couldn't justify selecting him over Blake Acres or Jack Steele, coach Alan Richardson says.

At 23 years of age and with 69 games to his name, Dunstan was one of the names expected to rise this season, particularly after his impressive finish to 2017, when he played the last six games and picked up at least 24 disposals in every match.

He played both games in the JLT Community Series, but surprisingly wasn’t even named as one of the four emergencies to face Brisbane at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

TEAMS: Check out all the round one line-ups

Instead, he will line up in a practice game with Sandringham against Williamstown at Trevor Barker Oval.

"The reality is if anyone had have come out for him, it would have been a 23-year-old with 60-70 games experience. That's where we're at. You take out Blake (Acres) or you take out (Jack) Steely," Richardson said.

"David Armitage has come back and given us some bite through the middle.

"That's where we're at as a group. It's not as though you're going to have 30-plus player come out instead.

"We're a young group but they're moving into that games played, years at the footy club, where they should have a greater impact on the game, and that's exciting for us."

However, Richardson indicated a recall is not too far away.

"It's obviously disappointing for Luke not to be playing but it's a reflection of our depth, particularly through the midfield. Whilst the boys still need to perform, Luke is also not far away as well. We expect him to go back to the VFL … and perform well and put pressure on really soon," he said.

The South Australian was drafted at No.18 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft and had been a regular before being dropped for the first time in his career last season. Dunstan was omitted on a further two occasions last year.

Meanwhile, Richardson explained why speedy backman Nick Coffield wasn't named despite an impressive pre-season, with fellow draftee Hunter Clark to debut against the Lions.

"Hunter's been really impressive, and the role that he'll play, there's a position there for him, given what he's done and just the reality of where we're at. There's a little bit more depth across half-back, given that that's where we've been playing Coff," Richardson said.

Clark has been earmarked for a role in the forward line and midfield.

Ben Long was named to face the Lions and will add defensive pressure and class in attack while Sam Gilbert and Mav Weller missed out.