DEPOSED St Kilda ruckman Ben McEvoy says the news of his omission for Saturday's grand final came as a shock.

McEvoy was dropped in favour of defender Steven Baker, who will return from suspension and injury to play his first game in 13 weeks on Saturday.

"I didn't know it was coming but you are never guaranteed a game in the AFL, no matter who you are," McEvoy said at Friday's grand final parade.

"You can't take it for granted. It was a bit of a shock, but that is the way it goes."

The 21-year-old put on a brave face as he sat in the back of a car with teammate Clint Jones, but it was clear he was hurting.

"Ross (Lyon) told me last night after training. It was a match committee decision. It's not really up to me to go into why. I respect their decision," McEvoy said.

"The boys are very supportive. I'm not the first bloke this has happened to."

Much support has come from Robert Eddy, who was in the exact same position when he was replaced by Sean Dempster for last year's grand final against Geelong.

Eddy has made the 22 this time around.

"I got a text from Rob last night and he obviously knows how I'm feeling as well as anyone. All the boys have been really good about it," McEvoy said.

McEvoy has spent much of the season as Michael Gardiner's back-up in the ruck.

Although Gardiner was sorry for his understudy's exclusion, he was confident he would have back-up in his duel with Magpies Darren Jolly and Leigh Brown.

"Obviously it's disappointing for him (McEvoy)," he said.

"It's hard for any player to miss out in the circumstances that he has, but he's a person of strong character and good character and I'm sure he'll be fine.

"I'll definitely get some help in the ruck, we'll just be structured up a bit differently."

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