Nick Riewoldt, Sam Fisher, Lenny Hayes and Max Hudghton were given the nod by selectors and will find out if they make the final team of 22 to be named in Melbourne on Monday September 15.
All four Saints have had a stellar year and have been instrumental to the team clinching a top four berth at the end of the home and away season which sets them up for a showdown against the reigning premiers.
Riewoldt and Hayes have been selected in the All-Australian side twice each while Fisher and Hudghton will make their debut if picked.
Matthew Drain, GM of Football Operations at St Kilda said, “Nick, Sam, Lenny and Max have been pivotal to the Saints this year and are justified selections in the preliminary All-Australian squad.
“They demonstrate a wide range of football and leadership qualities and we are fortunate to have four such committed team players at St Kilda. I know they feel very proud to be selected at this stage, but they have their mind set solely on this week’s Qualifying Final against Geelong.”
Only the Cats boast most All-Australian nominations than St Kilda. The Cats had 10 players picked in the squad while St Kilda’s four was equal-second throughout the AFL.
Riewoldt has had another stellar year and is a good chance to repeat his All-Australian selections of 2004 and 2006. The skipper has kicked 56 goals this year and averaged 10 marks a game on his way to accumulating 211 grabs throughout the home and away season.
Fisher has been a strong focal point in St Kilda’s defence throughout the year, averaging 22.6 disposals a game and taking 192 grabs, positioning him third in the AFL overall just one spot behind Riewoldt.
Hudghton’s presence at full back has seen him given the job of taming some of the league’s most potent forwards. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Hudghton has taken on, and beaten, the likes of Brendan Fevola, Barry Hall and Coleman Medalist Lance Franklin in one of the veteran’s best years to date.
Hayes rounds out the St Kilda foursome after yet another superb year. The hard running ball magnet averaged 24 disposals a game and is in the form that saw him named an All-Australian in 2003 and 2005.
Stay tuned to the St Kilda Football Club website for the final team announcement on September 15.
