FORGOTTEN St Kilda defender Sam Gilbert is poised to make his much-awaited AFL comeback this Sunday against Melbourne after a lengthy battle with a foot injury.
Gilbert last played for the Saints in round 22 last season in what was just his sixth game for the year because of recurrent issues with his foot.
But after two games in the VFL following a minor setback with his adductor, the defender is a strong chance to face the Demons on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
"He's really close. We've got our main session now and if he gets through he's going to be right in the mix," coach Alan Richardson said on Thursday.
"Our backs have been pretty solid for us and they're the decisions and choices you have when you're reasonably healthy.
"He's a good player, he makes us a better team and he'll be really close this week."
"His ability to be able to read and intercept is strong, he's a good athlete, he's able to play on talls and smalls, he's very versatile – if the opposition mix it up we don't have to change as much.
"We want a back six we don't have to shuffle and Gilbo probably takes us to another level, potentially when he's at his best."
With Daniel Markworth and Arryn Siposs set to return from shoulder injuries in the VFL this week, the Saints are blessed with just Sam Fisher on their casualty list.
Fisher is expected to return from a hamstring injury after next week's bye.
Click here for the full AFL injury list
Rookies Adam Schneider and Jack Sinclair will both be unavailable for senior selection this week due to Markworth and Siposs coming off the long-term injury list.
The Saints will have to make a call on which player will be elevated to the senior list as the nominated rookie after next week's bye.
"It's an interesting one. The two boys that are the obvious ones are at different ends of their career, and given the journey we're on you need to take everything into account," he said.
"Schneids has probably had better form and certainly has been really positive in the way he's helped others.
"Sinclair is our second highest goal-kicker at the minute and couldn't have been more impressive for a young player so we'll have to wait and see."
The Demons will return to Etihad for their first game this season with an unhealthy record at the Docklands venue, having not won there since round 19, 2007.
But Richardson said the Saints won't read too much into the fact the Demons have lost 20 games in a row at the stadium.
"I haven't really thought about it, to be frank," he said.
"All I worry about is the way we play on the particular ground and we've had some reasonably strong form.
"We're reasonably comfortable we play the ground pretty well."
The Saints also hold a 10-game winning streak over the Demons but Richardson said it counted for little given how the teams had moved closer together in recent years.
"In terms of their cycle of form, they certainly haven't been at their strongest [since 2007]," he said.
"Prior to me joining, St Kilda was a pretty strong, competitive team playing finals so there's been a real gap in terms of where the teams have been at.
"It's pretty even now. There's no doubt that both teams couldn't be more even – we've won three, they've won three.
"It's going to be a great opportunity for both clubs."
Top draftee Paddy McCartin will resume in the VFL on Saturday after missing last week with concussion, while Luke Dunstan (rested last week), Mav Weller (suspension) and Daniel McKenzie (concussion) are available for senior selection.
