THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED duel between ruckmen Steven King and Mark Blake will have to wait at least until round four of the home and away season.

The Saints will rest King for Saturday's NAB Cup match against the Cats at Manuka Stadium in Canberra.

Two days ago, Blake's teammate Cameron Mooney said the young ruckman had "a point to prove".

Geelong dropped Blake for their historic grand final win last September and King took his place.

Days later, the Cats traded King to the Saints.

King is among several big names who will sit out Saturday’s match. Teammate Robert Harvey and star Geelong quartet Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel, Steve Johnson and Brad Ottens also will come out of their side.

"We've just rested him, it was always the plan, to rest him and Rob Harvey," said Saints football manager Matthew Drain.

"We looked at this as a six-week schedule of practice matches, including our intra-club game before the NAB Cup, and Steven was always going to be rested for the third game.

"We didn't look at the opponent or anything like that."

New Saint Charlie Gardiner will play against his old club for the first time, while premiership players Max Rooke and Corey Enright will return for the Cats.