ST KILDA half-forward Jack Billings is set to return from a hamstring injury for Thursday night's pre-season clash against Melbourne, with both teams naming close to full strength teams.

Billings suffered a hamstring injury in the Saints' intraclub match in mid-February and was in doubt for both JLT Community Series clashes.

But he has been included for Thursday's match at Casey Fields along with tall forward Josh Bruce, who has been named in a tall forward line alongside Paddy McCartin and Tim Membrey.

JLT Community Series: When's your team playing?

Ruckman Tom Hickey will play his first pre-season game, replacing injured big man Billy Longer (hip flexor), while tough midfielder Koby Stevens comes into the 26-man squad.

Prized draftees Hunter Clark and Nick Coffield have retained their spots after impressive pre-seasons, keeping them in the mix for selection in the Saints' season opener against the Brisbane Lions on March 24.

The Saints have omitted midfielder Ben Long, with forward Jack Lonie and pressure forward Nathan Wright also relegated to emergencies.

Melbourne has named four inclusions after playing two men short last week, with key players Neville Jetta, Jeff Garlett, Dom Tyson and Sam Frost all named in the 26-man squad.

Tyson returns from a calf strain, while Garlett has recovered from the rib injury that hampered his training post-Christmas.

Medium forward Bailey Fritsch has been named in a forward pocket and looks a likely starter in round one.

The Demons have rested Alex Neal-Bullen and will be without injured veteran Jordan Lewis, who will miss with a minor calf strain.

Lewis suffered a minor calf strain in the Demons' opening pre-season game against North Melbourne, but the club remains confident the 31-year-old will be available for the round one clash against Geelong on March 25.

Thursday, March 8

Melbourne v St Kilda at Ikon Park, 7.05pm AEDT

MELBOURNE

B: J.Wagner, O.McDonald, M.Hibberd

HB: J.Hunt, J.Lever, N.Jetta

C: C.Salem, C.Petracca, B.Stretch

HF: J.Garlett, C.Pedersen, J.Melksham

F: B.Fritsch, J.Hogan, M.Hannan

Foll: M.Gawn, C.Oliver, N.Jones

I/C: J.Harmes, A.Brayshaw, D.Tyson, S.Frost, C.Maynard, B.Vince, T.McDonald, T.Bugg

Emerg: C.Spargo, D.Kent, J.Kennedy Harris, D.Keilty

In: N.Jetta, J.Garlett, D.Tyson, S.Frost

Out: J.Lewis (Injured), A.Neal-Bullen (rested)

Notable absentees: Jack Viney, Jordan Lewis, Alex Neal-Bullen,

Note that Melbourne is listed as four ins/two outs as 24 players took the field in its last JLT match v North Melbourne.

ST KILDA

B: J.Geary, N.Brown, D.Roberton

HB: J.Webster, J.Carlisle, S.Savage

C: J.Newnes, D.Armitage, J.Sinclair

HF: J.Billings, P.McCartin, J.Steele

F: J.Gresham, T.Membrey, J.Bruce

Foll: T.Hickey, S.Ross, J.Steven

I/C: L.Dunstan, B.Acres, K.Stevens, M.Weller, S.Gilbert, N.Coffield, H.Clark, R.Marshall

Emerg: J.Lonie, N.Wright, B.White, L.Austin

In: J.Billings, J.Bruce, T.Hickey, K.Stevens

Out: B.Long, B.Longer (injured), J.Lonie, N.Wright

Notable absentees: Billy Longer, Jack Lonie, Josh Battle, Hugh Goddard

Wednesday, March 7

Richmond v North Melbourne at Ikon Park, 7.05pm AEDT

RICHMOND

B: A.Rance, D.Astbury, D.Grimes

HB: N.Vlastuin, N.Broad, B.Ellis

C: S.Grigg, S.Edwards, T.Cotchin

HF: J.Castagna, J.Graham, C.Ellis

F: J.Riewoldt, J.Caddy, D.Butler

Foll: T.Nankervis, K.Lambert, D.Martin

I/C: R.Conca, S.Bolton, J.Townsend, K.McIntosh, J.Short, I.Soldo, C.Moore, S.Lloyd

Emerg: A.Miles, J.Higgins, R.Garthwaite, M.Chol

In: S.Lloyd, N.Broad, C.Moore, I.Soldo

Out: B.Houli (calf soreness), J.Higgins, M.Chol, R.Garthwaite

Notable absentees: Bachar Houli, Daniel Rioli, Dion Prestia

NORTH MELBOURNE

B: M.Williams, R.Tarrant, R.Clarke

HB: J.Macmillan, S.Thompson, S.Atley

C: B.Hartung, L.Davies-Uniacke, B.Jacobs

HF: M.Wood, J.Waite, J.Ziebell

F: T.Garner, B.Brown, K.Turner

Foll: T.Goldstein, S.Higgins, B.Cunnington

I/C: T.Dumont, M.Hibberd, N.Hrovat, T.Murphy, B.Preuss, J.Simpkin, E.Vickers-Willis, C.Zurhaar

Emerg: B.McKay, M.Daw, P.Ahern, S.Durdin 24

In: M.Wood, T.Garner, J.Simpkin, B.Preuss, T.Murphy, J Macmillan

Out: A.Morgan, B.McKay, L.McDonald (rested), N.Larkey, S.Durdin, M.Daw

Notable absentees: Majak Daw, Luke McDonald, Jed Anderson, Sam Wright