B: Blake Stanley Geary
HB: Gwilt Fisher Dempster
C: Dal Santo Hayes Montagna
HF: Gilbert Riewoldt Milera
F: Milne Maister Saad
Foll: McEvoy Armitage Steven
I/C: Hickey, Jones, Siposs
Sub: Newnes
Injury list
The backline has taken a hit with Sean Dempster (hamstring) and Rhys Stanley (knee) a chance to be unavailable in round one while Sam Fisher was in a moonboot after the final NAB Cup weekend and is also in doubt for the opener. Tom Simpkin and Adam Schneider had interrupted pre-seasons and didn't play until the last weekend (in a VFL practice match) and Daniel Markworth is recovering from the knee reconstruction he had in December. Rookie backman Jackson Ferguson (knee) is out for six weeks.
The big questions
What does the forward structure look like with the experienced heads Nick Riewoldt, Stephen Milne and Justin Koschitzke joined by an improved Beau Maister, Ahmed Saad and Terry Milera, and new faces Tom Lee, ruckman Tom Hickey and Trent Dennis-Lane?
What is the contingency plan for the backline when injuries strike (after their plan to secure West Coast defender Mitch Brown in the trade period didn't eventuate)?
Can players such as David Armitage, Jack Steven, Arryn Siposs, Jack Newnes and Tom Ledger take that next step this year and start to assume the starring roles held by their older and more experienced teammates?
Summer standout
Armitage, who signed a three-year contract extension last week, increased his fitness and strength to the point where he felt he was running out pre-season games better than ever. Maister is another who hasn't missed a beat and played in every NAB Cup match.
Fantasy cash cow
Ex-Claremont forward Tom Lee demonstrated he knew where the goals were last year when he kicked 60 goals in the WAFL club's premiership season. He starts at a paltry $108,500 and the Saints look likely to try him at some stage.
Sudden impact
The acquisition of Hickey from Gold Coast will not only support Ben McEvoy with a genuine back-up but it will put pressure on the Saints' big men to perform, which is never a bad thing. It will also remove the need for Jason Blake and Rhys Stanley to have to play in a supporting ruck role.
It's crunch time for…
Adam Schneider's 2012 season didn't get off to the best start when a hamstring injury kept him from the seniors until round 11 and he's been on restricted duties for much of this pre-season as he recovers from a knee operation. With the number of small forwards the Saints have on their list, competition is going to be hot for spots and the 28-year-old will no doubt want to improve on the eight games he managed last year.
Pivotal match
Getting their season off to a good start is crucial, and with winnable games in the first four weeks, the Saints will be keen to topple Gold Coast in the opening round at Metricon Stadium. If they win that one, and win it well, they'll take momentum into their round two clash with Richmond, and then into games against Greater Western Sydney and Essendon the following weeks.
The Saints will have a good year if…
Their backline can hold together despite a spate of injuries to defenders in the pre-season, if Lenny Hayes and Nick Riewoldt can play 18 games or more and a few youngsters – like David Armitage, Jack Newnes, Jack Steven and Rhys Stanley – can take another step forward, and the raft of forwards outside of Riewoldt and Stephen Milne can make an impact on the scoreboard.
AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: 13th.
