Dempster came into the Saints’ team for the qualifying final victory over Geelong.
He was a late replacement for Steven Baker and speculation persists that Baker will be recalled for the decider, despite the fact he hasn’t played for 12 weeks due to suspension and a foot injury.
If Baker is recalled, Dempster knows he’s the obvious candidate to make way.
“I’m never confident [that I’ll get a game],” Dempster acknowledged at St Kilda’s open media session at Moorabbin on Monday morning.
“I go into every Thursday crossing my fingers.”
Dempster was part of the St Kilda team that lost heavily to Collingwood back in round 16.
“I played a bit in the forward line, so it would be nice if Ross put me up there again and I could snag a goal, but it’s all up to the match committee,” Dempster said.
Half-forward Andrew McQualter is another St Kilda player whose spot in the team is far from guaranteed.
“I’m still at the stage where I’m fighting for a spot every week and I’ve just got to play my role within the team and hopefully that holds me in good stead.”
Asked how nervous he is about the prospect of being dropped for the biggest game of the year, McQualter replied: “It’s not something I can worry about to be honest.”
The response brought on a joking dig from Brendon Goddard.
“There’s no guarantees,” Goddard said with a chuckle.
While McQualter and Dempster try not to think too much about whether they’ll get a game, there’s no doubt many St Kilda players would like Baker to return.
“Bakes has been an integral part of our team for 10 years now,” Goddard explained.
“It’s been said before that the first one you would go to war with is Bakes, so it’s going to be a tough decision for the match committee to make.
“But we would welcome him back with open arms.”
