Skipper a big boost for Saints

ST KILDA captain Jarryn Geary will make his return from a hamstring injury tonight — potentially in the forward line.

Geary, 32, did such an impressive job tagging Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen in Round 2 that Carlton star Sam Docherty could find himself receiving similar treatment tonight.

Geary strained his hamstring in the first quarter of Round 2, but the inspirational leader played out the match and kept Johannisen to 14 disposals. Docherty collected 32 disposals across half-back last

SAM LANDSBERGER

week and was best-afield in the Blues’ vital upset win against Essendon.

The Saints have lost Zak Jones to hamstring tightness while Rohan Marshall has again been backed in as the only ruckman, with Paddy Ryder missing selection.

The Blues will be boosted by the return of key forward Harry McKay and speedster Zac Fisher.

Twin towers Levi Casboult and Mitch McGovern combined for 5.0 last week and the addition of McKay will further stretch St Kilda’s inexperienced backline.

McGovern helped the Blues down the Saints with three goals last year while Casboult has morphed into one of the AFL’s best power forwards and has not kicked a behind this season.

Jack Silvagni will sit out the match as he recovers from the rib injury that resulted in Essendon’s Zach Merrett receiving a one-match suspension.

The Blues and Saints will finish tonight’s match at Docklands unaware who their next match will be against, when it will be played or what state it will be in as the AFL revises Round 6. But the players and staff will benefit from having the entire weekend to regroup and, almost certainly, prepare for life in an interstate hub.