SUMMARY
The stage could be set for a mauling when struggling St Kilda returns to Perth for the second time this season. West Coast reeled off a ninth-straight victory with a grinding road win over Hawthorn last round and can enter the mid-season bye a game clear on top of the ladder with victory over the Saints. The Eagles have turned Optus Stadium into arguably the AFL's most formidable venue for opposition sides and thrashed reigning premier Richmond (47 points) and finals contender Port Adelaide (42 points) in the past two home games. St Kilda, which lost to Fremantle by five goals in round eight in Perth, showed some pluck against the Tigers at the MCG but it would take a massive lift for Alan Richardson's men to worry West Coast. The Saints are winless since round one and lack firepower. They have booted more than 10 goals in a game only twice this year, while the Eagles average 107 points in front of their raucous fans.
WHERE AND WHEN: Optus Stadium, Saturday, June 2, 6.10pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R20, 2017, St Kilda 15.13 (103) d West Coast 14.11 (95) at Etihad Stadium
R2, 2017, West Coast 18.8 (116) d St Kilda 13.19 (97) at Subiaco Oval
R8, 2016, West Coast 20.12 (132) d St Kilda 3.11 (29) at Subiaco Oval
R23, 2015, West Coast 18.17 (125) d St Kilda 4.6 (30) at Subiaco Oval
R8, 2015, West Coast 20.11 (131) d St Kilda 12.6 (78) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. After nine consecutive victories, West Coast is edging closer to a club record winning streak. The Eagles won 11 in a row in 1996 and 12 straight to start the 1991 season.
2. St Kilda's nailbiting victory last year ended the Eagles' stretch of eight consecutive wins over the Saints.
3. West Coast is ranked top-four for attack (AFL No.3, 100.2 points per game) and defence (AFL No.4, 73.8), while the Saints are battling on both counts, rated 16th for offence (66.3 points) and 17th defensively (94.6).
4. The Eagles' tall timber could worry the Saints. West Coast is the League's best contested-marking team (13.8) and ranked third for marks inside 50 (13.3).
5. St Kilda lost its first trip to Optus Stadium by five goals against Fremantle in round eight and faces a daunting challenge. The Eagles have won their past five at their new home by an average of 38 points.
6. The Saints' lack of 'A-graders' has been a major talking point and only Jack Steven (33) and Seb Ross (53) are ranked inside the top 100 of the Schick AFL Player Ratings, whereas West Coast boasts five and has Jack Darling (103) and Andrew Gaff (110) on the verge.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
St Kilda coach Alan Richardson is under pressure and it could become even hotter in the kitchen if the Saints don't muster a competitive effort in his 100th game as a coach (34 wins, two draws, 63 losses).
PREDICTION: West Coast by 52 points
