St Kilda have announced the debut of top-10 pick Alix Tauru for Saturday's clash with Collingwood after coach Ross Lyon all but confirmed the inclusion on Thursday morning.
Lyon, speaking on Thursday, said that Tauru has impressed during his time in the VFL after overcoming a stress fracture in his back, and, pending he gets through the training session, will suit up for his first AFL game.
"We think he will," Lyon said.
"We've got him right in the calculations. I never try to preempt it before our last training sessions, cause, as someone once told me, anything can happen.
"Hopefully, he'll get through, but it's pretty exciting."
St Kilda later revealed that the 'Flying Viking' will be unveiled against the ladder-leaders Collingwood on Saturday, making Tauru the seventh debutant for the Saints in 2025, following the likes of Harry Boyd, Max Hall, Liam O'Connell, Isaac Keeler, Tobie Travaglia and Hugh Boxshall this year.
โThe rehab group is a tough place to be at the best of times, let alone when you've just been drafted and you're trying to adapt to life as an AFL footballer,โ St Kilda Executive General Manager of Football David Misson said.
โAlix showed maturity beyond his years throughout that process, and it's a real credit to his character that he's earned this opportunity. We congratulate him on the resilience, grit and work ethic he's shown since joining our club.
โAlready a well-respected member of the playing group, we're excited to welcome the Tauru family on Saturday night and can't wait to see Alix introduce himself to the AFL world as part of our next generation of emerging talent.โ
Lyon also mentioned that emerging midfielder Mattaes Phillipou is within a chance to face the Pies after taming his calf issue.
Phillipou was ruled out of last week's clash with a ruptured plantaris tendon, and will be given Thursday's training session to prove his fitness.
The same goes for forgotten on-baller Paddy Dow, whose battle with a serious knee infection has plagued his 2025 season to date.
Dow underwent multiple surgeries to correct the issue over the Christmas break, and is expected to line up in the VFL on Saturday.
Paddy is set for his return! ๐
After six months on the sidelines following a Xmas period spent in hospital with an infection that required three bouts of knee surgery, Paddy Dow is set to make a remarkable return to football on Saturday in the VFL.
All the best, Paddy. pic.twitter.com/KPmC9vv0n0
โ St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) June 19, 2025
The former Blue was last seen in the Round 24 victory over his former club last year, taking his tally to 10 matches in his maiden season.
Lyon also alluded to tagger Marcus Windhager set to be handed a role on one of the Daicos'.
Windhager has had great success playing on some of the competition's best players, curbing the likes of Marcus Bontempelli (13 disposals), Kysaiah Pickett (9), Finn Callaghan (10) and Connor Rozee (11).
The Saints stopper has been tipped to go to Brownlow Medal fancy Nick Daicos, but the St Kilda coach floated his older brother as an option.
"More than likely," Lyon said.
"Which one, we don't know. Josh is pretty handy. You get one, the other one gets you. Thank God Peter isn't playing."
