St Kilda faces more tough decisions at the selection table as they wrestle with the immediate futures of struggling stars Bradley Hill and Max King.
The Saints are set to face Sydney at the SCG on Saturday afternoon in a crunch game for the direction of their season, but first they need to decide if they want to send a message to some players that are under-performing.
Hill has struggled for consistency since joining the Saints from Fremantle on a huge five-year deal at the start of last season, and has had some particularly poor games this campaign.
On three occasions Hill has accumulated 10 possessions or less, including a six-disposal performance in the victory over North Melbourne last weekend.
Talented forward King has been lacking in confidence with his set shot and contest work in recent weeks, kicking a wayward 13.21 this season, including 4.13 in the past five matches.
Both players could be spared the axe with St Kilda's VFL affiliate Sandringham not playing this weekend due to Melbourne's COVID lockdown, while the extensive senior injury list means there isn't many options as replacements.
The Saints could possibly bring half-back flanker Leo Connolly in for his first match to play instead of Hill, while a King-less shorter forward line could be deployed, consisting of Tim Membery, Josh Battle and Mason Wood.
After the comprehensive defeat versus Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs could look to make changes with Jason Johannisen still in the gun as his low-possession season continues.
Johannissen has averaged 11.6 disposals a game across his nine games this season, including only eight possessions against the Demons.
With veteran ruckman Stefan Martin nearing fitness, rookie big man Jordon Sweet could find himself coming out of the team despite a promising stretch of games.
The hot-and-cold Shane McAdam is facing the axe at Adelaide after having only three handballs against Richmond - in the sixth game this season he has had less than seven possessions, despite kicking 17 goals for the campaign.
After having two matches with 20-plus possessions, Collingwood utility Will Hoskin-Elliott battled to seven disposals in the loss to Geelong and could find himself on the outer at team selection.
