After their third win on the trot against Adelaide last week, the Lions have lost vice captain and fullback Daniel Merrett (ankle) and centre half-back Joel Patfull (jaw) for the match against the unbeaten league leaders.
Among five additions on an extended bench are 2008 draftee Aaron Cornelius, veteran Tim Notting and defender Jason Roe.
And while the Lions' defence will take on an entirely new look, Brennan said it was an area of the ground in which they could excel.
"Our back six unit have to work together and we have to rely on blokes like Ash McGrath and Josh Drummond giving us run from the backline," he said.
"That's exactly the same way St Kilda build most of their attacks with guys like (Jason) Gram. They set things up from there defence and that's where I think the game will be won."
The Saints are a perfect eight from eight and have made no changes to the team that beat Essendon by 19 points last Sunday.
The teams
Brisbane Lions
B: Ashley McGrath, Joel Macdonald, James Polkinghorne
HB: Sam Sheldon, Jared Brennan, Josh Drummond
C: Scott Harding, Simon Black, Daniel Rich
HF: Michael Rischitelli, Jonathan Brown, Justin Sherman
F: Cheynee Stiller, Daniel Bradshaw, Luke Power
Foll: Mitch Clark, Travis Johnstone, Jed Adcock
Int: Albert Proud, Matt Austin, Jason Roe, Aaron Cornelius, Pearce Hanley, Tim Notting, Tom Collier
In: Roe, Cornelius, Hanley, Notting, Collier
Out: Daniel Merrett (ankle), Joel Patfull (jaw)
St Kilda
B: Farren Ray, Jason Blake, Zac Dawson
HB: Steven Baker, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Jason Gram, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Stephen Milne, Nick Reiwoldt, Adam Schneider
F: Lenny Hayes, Justin Koschitzke, Sam Gilbert
Foll: Michael Gardiner, Clint Jones, Leigh Montagna
Int: Robert Eddy, Raphael Clarke, Ben McEvoy, Jarryn Geary, James Gwilt, Steven King, Andrew McQualter
In: Eddy, Clarke, McEvoy
Out:
On the punt
The Lions are almost friendless in betting circles this week and have been quoted at $5.50 to the Saints' $1.13. Looking at it another way they've been given 36.5 points start for an even money bet, which is a huge discrepancy in a two-horse race. Looking elsewhere around the league, if you're after some value it might be best to look to AAMI Stadium. In Andrew McLeod's record breaking 313th game for the Crows, expect them to lift for one of their favourite sons and the $2.35 against Carlton ($1.55) looks appealing.
Key match-up
Mitch Clark (Lions) v Michael Gardiner (St Kilda). While ruckmen often cancel each other out, this contest will be crucial. Last time Clark found himself against a bigger bodied ruckman, Mark Blake totally dominated as the Cats ran rings around the Lions. However, Clark has been instrumental in the last three victories and will have to compete strongly against the former Eagle at ball-ups. His second efforts have been a feature and will have to be on-song to give the strong Lions midfield an even share of possession.
Odds and sods
If Aaron Cornelius makes the final 22 he will be the fourth Lion to make his debut in the first nine rounds. Daniel Rich, Sam Sheldon and Matt Austin have all played their first games this season and are still currently in the side. The Lions have used 31 players so far in 2009, while St Kilda have used a league-low 25.
St Kilda's defensive pressure has been revered so far this season and with good reason. The Saints are averaging 70 tackles per match which is higher than any premiership team in the last decade. Geelong averaged 58 tackles a match when they won in 2007. St Kilda are also conceding a meagre 56 points a contest through nine rounds.
The Lions have showed tremendous fight so far this season. In three of the club's five wins they have fought back from deficits of greater than four goals, including the past two weeks against Richmond and Adelaide. Conversely, St Kilda have been great front-runners, winning seven of their eight first quarters.
And the winner is ...
It's hard to look past St Kilda. The Lions are down their two best ruckmen and their two best defenders. They're hard holes for any team to fill. The Saints have been sublime all season and despite showing a slight chink against the Bombers last week, have been irresistible for eight weeks with their fierce pressure at the contest. The Lions will be strong and Brown and Bradshaw are certainly capable of dominating their opponents with a fair share of ball. But St Kilda appears to have too many weapons and should make it nine on end.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club
