EXPERIENCED defender Joel Smith will play his first senior match this season against his former club St Kilda in the annual Blue Ribbon Cup match at the MCG on Saturday.

Troubled by knee problems in the pre-season, Smith has played the past three weeks with Box Hill Hawks in the VFL.

Selected on a wing, the 30-year-old is one of two changes to the line-up beaten by Fremantle last Sunday.

Jarryd Roughead is the other major inclusion for the Hawks after a week’s sabbatical in the VFL.

The duo replaces Thomas Murphy and Garry Moss, who have been omitted.

Captain Richard Vandenberg and full-back Danny Jacobs will resume with Box Hill Hawks against Geelong at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.

Vandenberg has been limited to one senior game in 2007 – round six against Essendon – because of hamstring problems.

He was rested from last week’s trip to Subiaco because of a lower back complaint.

“For Richard, to get his season going, we felt he needed more game preparation,” said Hawks general manager, football operations Mark Evans.

“It’s (playing with Box Hill Hawks) more a progression in his match play. He needs match fitness and match-conditioning in the VFL so he’s better prepared for AFL level.

“He’ll be playing a rotating game through the midfield for Box Hill ... we expect him to be back in the senior team next week.”

Jacobs, who has had a long battle with hamstring injuries, is back on the field, and is likely to have the massive task of combating Geelong forward Tom Hawkins.

The Hawks and Saints share four wins and three losses apiece so far this season, with St Kilda beating the Swans at their own game in round seven.

Evans said the Hawks would continue to concentrate on exhibiting their own game style, rather than worrying about the Saints.

“It’s a big test for both of us,” Evans said. “We’re looking for a win.”

“It will be interesting in what they do, but I think they’ll have to worry more about us with Hodge, Mitchell and Crawford.”

Hawthorn and St Kilda play for the Blue Ribbon Cup, established in 1999 in memory of Victoria Police officers Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller, who were killed in the line of duty.

The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation perpetuates the memory of police officers killed while serving the community.