Jon Griffin will make his return to AFL after champion ruckman Aaron Sandilands was left out of Fremantle’s team to take on St Kilda on Saturday.

Griffin was one of four inclusions, with All Australian defender Luke McPharlin, tough midfielder Matt de Boer and young key position player Matt Taberner all named.

Sandilands will stay home because of a sore back and will be joined by the suspended Hayden Ballantyne and omitted pair Clancee Pearce and Michael Apeness.

The emergencies for the game at Etihad Stadium were Apeness, Tom Sheridan and Sam Menegola.

General manager of football operations Chris Bond said Sandilands’ injury was not serious.

“It’s not major, but it’s significant enough for him to miss the game,” he said.

“It’s a six-day break for us so we didn’t want to take the risk and he’s been a bit sore during the week, so he’ll miss out.”

Bond said there was a positive to come out of Sandilands’ absence because Griffin will get an opportunity.

The ruckman has not played AFL since injuring his anterior cruciate ligament on 11 May last year in a round 7 game against Collingwood.

“The benefit for us is Jon Griffin’s been in really good form at the WAFL and we’re confident he’ll step in and do the job for us,” Bond said.

Matt de Boer also returns after a brilliant effort for Peel last weekend when he had 31 possessions and 12 tackles.

“It’s really pleasing because a lot of the coaches, myself and Ross (Lyon), were able to get down last week and Matt performed very well, very strongly,” Bond said.

“He was a real big force for them winning the game and really deserves the opportunity to get back in.”

Bond said McPharlin got through training all week and would play.

“That was really important for his own confidence, he didn’t miss a beat all week and he’ll slip straight back into the back six,” he said.

Taberner returns on the back of some good form before he was injured in round 15.

“Obviously with Michael Apeness going out of the team Matt Taberner comes back in,” Bond said.

“He’s been able to play that key forward role at Peel.

“He was unlucky to go out of the team after the West Coast game, he pulled up sore after that game.

“He’s been in and out a little bit but we’re looking forward to getting him in and having a strong performance.”