ST KILDA defender Sam Rowe is set to play his long-awaited 100th match – and his first for St Kilda – this weekend against Sydney.

The 31-year-old played 99 games for Carlton between 2013 and 2018 before being delisted at the end of last year, and planned to spend 2019 playing for East Doncaster in Melbourne's Eastern Football League.

Rowe was given a lifeline by the Saints right on the deadline of the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period in March as cover for Dylan Roberton, who is sitting out the season to deal with heart issues.

Rowe in action for Carlton during 2018, his last season at the club. Picture: AFL Photos

The Saints announced the news in a video, with Rowe asked to answer a series of trivia questions against other players and coaches.

Caretaker coach Brett Ratten finished the challenge by saying the winner of the final question – 'What is the only bird able to fly backwards?' – would play on the weekend. 

Rowe confidently answered "hummingbird" and celebrated in style. 

He has played 13 games for Saints' VFL affiliate Sandringham this season, spending a lot of time playing as an undersized ruck due to the club's big-man injury woes. 

Last week he recorded a whopping 59 hitouts and 16 disposals in the Zebras' loss to Port Melbourne.