Best 22
B: Dylan Roberton, Luke Delaney, Sean Dempster
HB: Jarryn Geary, Sam Fisher, Jimmy Webster
C: Leigh Montagna, David Armitage, Luke Dunstan
HF: Jack Billings, Nick Riewoldt, Eli Templeton
F: Tom Curren, Tim Membrey, Josh Bruce
Foll: Tom Hickey, Jack Steven, Maverick Weller
I/C: Nathan Wright, Jack Newnes, Blake Acres
Sub: Shane Savage
Health of the list
Picked up a few big ones over the pre-season with Farren Ray (hamstring), Seb Ross (hamstring) and Arryn Siposs (shoulder) gone for a few months and Daniel Markworth (shoulder) likely the season. Brodie Murdoch (back) and Sam Gilbert (foot) won't start the season on time while Jimmy Webster (finger) and Tom Simpkin (knee) also dealt with summer complaints, with the former eyeing a round four start.
The big questions
Can the Saints find enough consistency to avoid the type of heavy blow-out losses that peppered their 2014, and ended their recent NAB Challenge campaign?
They went down by margins greater than 70 points on eight occasions last year and to Hawthorn by 106 points two weeks ago. They need to become resilient enough to not allow losing results to drift into annihilations as happened so many times this season
How many of the recent draftees – Paddy McCartin, Hugh Goddard, Daniel McKenzie and Jack Lonie – will get early opportunities and take advantage of them?
We don't know how many will play in round one but Lonie seems to be leading the charge. There's been suggestion McCartin could start in the VFL to build form against big defenders while Goddard played one NAB Challenge game and competed strongly against Essendon's Shaun McKernan. McKenzie remains untried in the AFL system.
With a range of forwards like Nick Riewoldt, Tim Membrey, Josh Bruce, Spencer White, Tom Lee and McCartin at his disposal, which structure will Alan Richardson find works best?
He can try a bunch of different ways to build an attacking structure around Riewoldt with a range of supporting acts designed to reduce the pressure on the veteran forward. Pre-season suggests Bruce and Membrey will get first crack.
Summer standout – Maverick Weller
Being added to the leadership group in just his second season as a Saint is testament to the work ethic and influence the former Gold Coast player has brought to the club. Sets an incredible physical standard for himself with meticulous preparation and recovery, and is poised to make a bigger impression in 2015 as both their No.1 tagger and a leader.
Fantasy cash cow – Blake Acres
Injuries kept the first round draft pick from 2013 to just three senior games last year, which means he's priced nicely at just $166,000. Averaged 19 disposals a game at VFL level last year, and with the Saints confident his injury concerns are behind him, is sure to play more this season.
Sudden impact – Tim Membrey
Seems a lock to play in round one with the Saints targeting the former Swan in the off-season for a reason. Played all three NAB Challenge games and didn't star in any of them but will support Riewoldt structurally and offer the Saints a new avenue to goal.
It's crunch time for … Spencer White
Concerns over his aerobic base and ability to cope with asthma led White to embark on his own overseas training camp while on an end-of-season holiday. After two games in two years, the highly touted forward is playing on a one-year deal this season, and with more competition for a spot in the forward line than ever before will need to impress.
Pivotal match: Greater Western Sydney, round one
A win here and the season is off to a good start. A loss to the newest kids on the block and the optimism garnered by off-season acquisitions and the improvement of youngsters is dented. The Saints are going large for their Easter Sunday home season opener with a range of new match day initiatives and they won't want to give a disappointing performance in front of their fans after putting in a big effort to identify and connect with them over summer.
The Saints will have a good year if …
... the likes of Jack Billings and Eli Templeton capitalise on the potential they showed last year, Luke Dunstan takes on more midfield responsibility with Lenny Hayes gone, Nick Riewoldt stays fit, their backline stays intact with Sam Fisher overcoming soft tissue concerns and Sam Gilbert getting back to provide depth in the area, they don't add to the long-term injuries they picked up in the pre-season, and they can avoid frequent 10-goal blow outs when their structures fall apart.
AFL.com.au consensus predicted ladder finish: 18th.
