The start of St Kilda’s 2016 campaign will hold extra significance for the Saints given the two milestone fixtures that mark the opening two games of the season.

Alan Richardson’s side open their account with a trip to Adelaide Oval to face Port Adelaide in Leigh Montagna’s 250^th appearance for the Saints.

The dual All Australian has been a star at Linen House Centre for more than a decade and will commence his 15^th season with a celebration in South Australia’s sporting cathedral.

A week later, in the Saints’ first home game of the season, champion forward Nick Riewoldt will become just the fifth player in St Kilda’s history to represent the club on 300 occasions, joining club greats Robert Harvey (383 games), Nathan Burke (323), Stewart Loewe (321) and Barry Breen (300).

The six-time Trevor Barker winner and five-time All Australian will reach the milestone against traditional rivals Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium in what looms as a momentous event for the club.

Star midfielder David Armitage is on track to join the milestone posse in 2016, although he will need to saddle up in 22 games to reach his 150^th appearance this season.

The 27-year-old enjoyed a career-best year in 2015, playing all but one game to finish narrowly behind Jack Steven in the Trevor Barker Award.

Ultra-consistent defender Sean Dempster will run out for the 150th time in red, white and black against the Power in the opening round, sharing his milestone clash with Montagna.

Three players originally drafted by another club are on track to break the 100-game barrier this year, with prized recruit Jake Carlisle and rebounding defenders Dylan Roberton and Shane Savage all within touching distance of the landmark.

Savage requires just ten appearances to chalk up the century, whilst Carlisle and Roberton need 15 and 16 games respectively.

A handful of the Saints emerging stars are also on the cusp of reaching the 50-game milestone. Josh Bruce (needs four games), Billy Longer (seven games), Tom Hickey (nine games) and Jimmy Webster (11 games) are closest, with emerging leaders Seb Ross (13 games) and Luke Dunstan (15 games) not far away either.

Eight players on the clubs list are yet to debut at AFL level: Nathan Freeman, Jade Gresham, Brandon White, Bailey Rice and Lewis Pierce, as well as rookie’s Nick O’Kearney, Nick Coughlan and Brenton Payne.