St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has confirmed All-Australian defender Sam Fisher will miss Saturday's AFL match against Hawthorn.

But he said onballer Nick Dal Santo was planning to play.

There were rumours on Friday that Fisher and Dal Santo would be late withdrawals, bringing to seven the number of top-line changes for the Launceston match.

The Saints are unbeaten after 18 rounds, while the Hawks are a game out of the top eight and must win to maintain their finals chances.

"I can confirm Sam Fisher is out, he hasn't pulled up well - he was in a bit of doubt, but we were hopeful," Lyon said.

"At this stage, Dal is planning to play."

Captain Nick Riewoldt, Brendon Goddard, Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna and Steven Baker were already out of the side.

Clearly, the Saints are trying to freshen up many of their most important players a month out from the finals.

It sparked a massive betting plunge on the Hawks, who are now favourites.

But Lyon stressed that the Saints were not taking the game lightly.

"I just want to put on record that we've planned and prepared exactly the same way," he said.

"Two assistant coaches flew over to watch Hawthorn-Port Adelaide last week ... we've picked the best possible team.

"There's no doubt it's going to be a harder task without those quality players in, but Hawthorn have eight premiership players out from last year."

He said it was a good chance for the Saints to test their depth.

Lyon noted that the inclusions featured onballer Luke Ball, ruckman Michael Gardiner and key defender Zac Dawson - all in the club's best 22.

"It will test our development program and training program, to see if our players can execute the structures that the previous 22 or 24 have been able to do," he said.

"It's a high-stakes game, particularly for Hawthorn, more so than us."

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