ST KILDA ruckman Lewis Pierce will make his first appearance for the club in its final game of the NAB Challenge against Hawthorn.
The 20-year-old, who was drafted by the club with pick 75 in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft, hasn't played a game for the Saints in two seasons.
He will start in the green substitute's vest but will get his opportunity against the Hawks, with the Saints choosing to rest Billy Longer after already having strong match practice through the pre-season competition.
Hawthorn will take a near full-strength line-up into its last game before round one, with Jonathan Simpkin and young forward James Sicily the starting substitutes for the reigning premiers.
Liam Shiels, Billy Hartung and Angus Litherland were cut from the club's original 27-man squad.
ST KILDA v HAWTHORN
Etihad Stadium, 7.10pm AEDT, March 19
ST KILDA
Out: Hugh Goddard, Spencer White, Tom Lee
Substitutes: Lewis Pierce, Tom Curren
St Kilda
1. Tom Hickey, 3. Jack Steven, 4. Eli Templeton, 7. Luke Dunstan, 8. Blake Acres, 11. Leigh Montagna, 13. Adam Schneider, 16. Jack Newnes, 17 Dylan Roberton, 21. Luke Delaney, 24. Sean Dempster, 25. Sam Fisher, 26. Tom Curren, 27. Josh Bruce, 28. Tim Membrey, 32. Paddy McCartin, 34. Nathan Wright, 37. Jack Lonie, 38. Ahmed Saad, 39. Cameron Shenton, 40. Jack Sinclair, 41. Darren Minchington, 42. Lewis Pierce, 44. Maverick Weller
HAWTHORN
Out: Angus Litherland, Billy Hartung, Liam Shiels
Substitutes: James Sicily, Jonathan Simpkin
Hawthorn
2. Jarryd Roughead, 3. Jordan Lewis, 4. Matt Suckling, 5. Sam Mitchell, 6. Josh Gibson, 7. Ben McEvoy, 8. Taylor Duryea, 9. Shaun Burgoyne, 10. Bradley Hill, 12. James Frawley, 13. Jonathan O’Rourke, 15. Luke Hodge, 16. Isaac Smith, 17. Brian Lake, 18. Jonathon Ceglar, 19. Jack Gunston, 21. James Sicily, 22. Luke Breust, 24. Ben Stratton, 28. Paul Puopolo, 29. Will Langford, 32. Jonathan Simpkin, 33. Cyril Rioli, 37. Jed Anderson
