Carlisle and Ryder are two of 34 past and present Essendon players who missed the 2016 season as they served 12-month doping bans relating to their former club's ill-fated supplement program.

As fate would have it, they will now almost certainly play against each other in their first games back during Thursday night's pre-season hit-out between the Saints and Power at Etihad Stadium.

Eight of the 16 active AFL players who were caught up in the Essendon scandal made their returns to footy in the first week of the JLT Series.

Like Melbourne's Jake Melksham, Carlisle has had to bide his time before making his debut for his new club as he joined the Saints at the end of the 2015 season.

Ryder, however, crossed to Port Adelaide following the 2014 season and played 18 games for the Power in 2015.

Ryder's teammate Angus Monfries, also previously banned and a former Bomber, has not been named in Port Adelaide's squad as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury.

Essendon quartet Tom Bellchambers, Cale Hooker, Heath Hocking and Brent Stanton, and Melbourne defender Michael Hibberd, are still yet to play since their suspensions ended.

The Saints could also unveil recruits Jack Steele (GWS), Nathan Brown (Collingwood) and Koby Stevens (Bulldogs) who were all included in their provisional 29-man squad.

The trial will also serve as Jarryn Geary's first official outing as St Kilda captain.

The Saints will be close to full strength with Leigh Montagna the only notable absentee.

Port Adelaide fans could get a decent look at the future with three of the club's four 2016 draft selections Sam Powell-Pepper (pick 18), Joe Atley (32) and Willem Drew (33) all named along with newly-rookied Brett Eddy.

The Power will head into the meeting without Robbie Gray and Matthew Broadbent.

St Kilda and Port Adelaide will trim their squads to 26 players in time for the match.

St Kilda squad

1. Tom Hickey, 2. Jake Carlisle, 3. Jack Steven, 4. Jade Gresham, 5. Shane Savage, 6. Sebastian Ross, 7. Luke Dunstan, 8. Blake Acres, 9. Jack Steele, 12. Nick Riewoldt, 13. Jack Lonie, 14. Jarryn Geary, 15. Jack Billings, 16. Jack Newnes, 17. Dylan Roberton, 18. Billy Longer, 19. Sam Gilbert, 20. David Armitage, 22. Nathan Brown, 24. Sean Dempster, 25. Koby Stevens, 27. Josh Bruce, 28. Tim Membrey, 29. Jimmy Webster, 32. Paddy Mccartin, 34. Nathan Wright, 35. Jack Sinclair, 36. Daniel Mckenzie, 44. Maverick Weller

Port Adelaide squad

1. Travis Boak, 2. Sam Powell-Pepper, 3. Jake Neade, 4. Patrick Ryder, 7. Brad Ebert, 8. Hamish Hartlett, 11. Aaron Young, 12. Jackson Trengove, 15. Karl Amon, 16. Oliver Wines, 17. Tom Clurey, 20. Chad Wingard, 21. Jared Polec, 22. Charlie Dixon, 23. Matthew Lobbe, 24. Jarman Impey, 26. Riley Bonner, 27. Brett Eddy, 28. Willem Drew, 29. Jasper Pittard, 30. Joe Atley, 31. Aidyn Johnson, 34. Will Snelling, 36. Jack Hombsch, 39. Justin Westhoff, 42. Tom Jonas, 43. Dan Houston, 46. Sam Gray, 48. Nathan Krakouer

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