SUMMARY
Notching a comfortable road win over North Melbourne was the ideal start to 2017 for West Coast and the Eagles return to their happy hunting ground at Domain Stadium as red-hot favourites to account for St Kilda. The Saints were mauled by Melbourne after quarter-time in a bitterly disappointing first-up effort and coach Alan Richardson has challenged his midfield to stand up. But there are few more daunting tasks than taking on the Eagles in Perth and Saturday's clash will test whether the Saints' woeful form away from home has improved after an overhaul of their travel routine. West Coast thrashed the Saints by 93 points in Perth last year, one of five defeats for St Kilda outside Victoria, and the Eagles' forward line is looking ominous with spearhead Josh Kennedy and Mark LeCras combining for 11 majors against the Roos.
WHERE AND WHEN: Domain Stadium, Saturday, April 1, 4.40pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
PAST FIVE TIMES
R8, 2016, West Coast 20.12 (132) d St Kilda 3.11 (29) at Domain Stadium
R23, 2015, West Coast 18.17 (125) d St Kilda 4.6 (30) at Domain Stadium
R8, 2015, West Coast 20.11 (131) d St Kilda 12.6 (78) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2014, West Coast 15.13 (103) d St Kilda 10.10 (70) at Etihad Stadium
R3, 2014, West Coast 12.11 (83) d St Kilda 8.10 (58) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Eagles dominated the corresponding fixture last year, blitzing St Kilda with a 12-goals-to-one first half. Mark LeCras and Josh Kennedy kicked 11 goals between them, and it was the Saints' lowest score since early 2002.
2. West Coast has the wood over the Saints with seven straight wins stretching back to 2012. The Eagles have won 27 of the 45 clashes between the clubs.
3. Nick Riewoldt's absence due to a knee injury could be a telling blow for the Saints. They've lost six of their seven games without Riewoldt since the start of 2013.
4. St Kilda has made performing better on the road a priority this season, but Alan Richardson's men will have to overcome a poor record at Domain Stadium to snare the four points. St Kilda hasn’t won in Perth against either WA team since 2011.
5. Richardson will be looking for a response after Melbourne controlled the engine room in round one. The Saints lost the disposal count by 117, had 12 fewer inside 50s and conceded 17 goals after quarter-time.
6. Eagles spearhead Josh Kennedy climbed 11 spots in the Schick AFL Player Ratings to 27th overall following his dead-eye seven-straight goals against North Melbourne in round one.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Jake Carlisle/Nathan Brown
In their St Kilda debuts, Carlisle and Brown were under siege in defence during the loss to Melbourne. Unless the Saints' pressure on the ball-carrier intensifies it won't get any easier for the new pairing trying to shut down in-form Eagles star Josh Kennedy.
PREDICTION: West Coast by 32 points
