Two star Saints are in doubt for Thursday night's clash against Richmond, while the Tigers welcome the return of Sydney Stack to competitive football.
Stack, who has played 26 games for the Tigers across two seasons, is expected to line up for Richmond in their VFL season opener against Sandringham on the weekend in his first competitive match since last September.
Stack and teammate Callum Coleman-Jones were sent home from the Tigers' Noosa hub last year after the pair broke AFL protocols by visiting a nightclub on the Gold Coast, where they were arrested following an alleged fight.
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The pair were suspended for 10 matches, which leaves them available for selection in the AFL or VFL this week.
21-year-old Coleman-Jones has already spent time in the VFL side, impressing with his performance in the Tigers' practice matches, including a four goal haul against Box Hill.
Stack is yet to play after recently returning from Western Australia, where he spent time in jail for a quarantine breach.
Coleman-Jones could push for a spot in the AFL side, as the Tigers face a Saints outfit potentially without star ruck Rowan Marshall for the fourth time this season.
Per reports from The Age's Daniel Cherny, both Marshall and midfielder Zak Jones were on light duties at training, two days out from the clash against Richmond.
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Marshall snapped his plantar fascia during the Saints' Round 4 win over the Eagles after missing the opening three rounds of the season with a foot injury. Jones, who has a history of soft tissue injuries, missed the opening match of the season with a hamstring strain.
Both players could be rested given the five day turnaround.
Zak Jones could be rested for St Kilda this week given his injury history. Meanwhile Jack Billings says there is no movement yet on a new contract https://t.co/O7SAcBhlDS
— Daniel Cherny đź“° (@DanielCherny) April 13, 2021
Speaking after training, Saints midfielder Jack Billings was confident the pair would play.
“He seems like he’s recovering pretty well. He’s getting better each day. Fingers crossed that he gets up,” Billings said about Marshall.
While on Jones, Billings said: “Hopefully [he plays], he’s another one, see how he pulls up. He was pretty light today just with his history. Fingers crossed he’s right to go, so we’ll see what happens.”
The Saints are still without veteran ruck Paddy Ryder, who returned to the club last week after personal leave. Ryder is not expected to play this round.
St Kilda and Richmond will meet on Thursday night in the annual "Maddie's Match" which raises funds and awareness for Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes, while Richmond and Sandringham face off in the VFL on Friday.
