ST KILDA running defender Brendon Goddard believes the high exposure of the club's playing list to AFL football will bring benefits as the Saints strive to play finals football.

The club has used 37 players so far in 2008 - equal highest in the competition - and while on-field success often goes hand-in-hand with maintaining a core group of playing personnel, Goddard says the flip-side is the development of an even list, with healthy competition for places.

"Yeah definitely," Goddard said when asked if using so many players throughout the season could be seen as a positive. "Not only supporters but the whole footy world is seeing some depth in the list and some really good young kids coming through with a lot of potential."

Injuries have resulted in several forced changes so far this year, but Goddard notes that the return of several players is likely to create a pleasant headache for the St Kilda selection committee ahead of the pivotal clash with Hawthorn at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.

"(Adam) Schneider and (Steven) Baker got through really well on the weekend in the twos, and Michael Gardiner was really dominant in the ruck for the Casey Scorpions. They're obviously possibilities to come in."

While pacy utility Xavier Clarke is still one to two weeks away, Goddard says the good form of players in the VFL is creating pressure and a lot of competition for places in the senior side.

"You've got some really good guys in the seconds: Aaron Fiora, Shane Birss; Jarryn Geary is playing really good footy and regularly in the best, and putting in some really good efforts."

With so much attention on Hawthorn's stellar forward combination of Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead, Goddard was quick to point out that the best way to stop the deadly Hawk talls was by denying them the football.