HEAD TO HEAD: St Kilda 69 wins, Richmond 102 wins, two draws
LAST TIME: St Kilda 17.13 (115) d Richmond 14.10 (94), round 21, 2010 at Etihad Stadium
TV: Channel 7, 8.30pm
RADIO: 3AW, Triple M, 1116 SEN, K-Rock, ABC774
A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
BETFAIR ODDS: St Kilda $1.27 v Richmond $4.40
FORM - St Kilda: L Richmond: L
SUMMARY
This one is all about the showdown between star forwards and cousins Jack and Nick Riewoldt.
Jack was superb against Carlton in Thursday night's season opener, taking six marks inside 50 for six goals as the Tigers went down by 20 points.
But the young livewire will find it harder this week against St Kilda's famously tight defence.
Last week the Saints allowed Geelong's entire team just seven marks inside attacking 50 for the game, but couldn't quite kick enough goals to win.
Midfield guns Lenny Hayes and Nick Dal Santo started their seasons superbly but St Kilda, as they admitted over summer, need to establish a strong forward target other than 'St Nick'.
A big performance by recruit Ryan Gamble and two or three opportunist goals from Stephen Milne, both kept quiet in round one, would go a long way to seeing the Saints home.
QUESTION MARKS
If Riewoldt doesn't fire, how will they amass a winning score? This question applies for both teams.
Are the Saints still a premiership threat? Not that a win over the Tigers will provide a definitive answer, but a second straight loss would certainly have the doubters surfacing. Ross Lyon's men will be keen to win and win well.
How will the Tigers' young midfielders go? The game will be a tough test for Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin and Reece Conca against St Kilda's established stars of Hayes, Dal Santo, Brendon Goddard and Leigh Montagna.
PREDICTION: St Kilda by 36 points.
TOYOTA AFL DREAM TEAM WATCH
There were 28,000 disappointed Dream Team coaches last weekend when Tiger Nathan Foley was subbed from the ground with just 24 points to his name.
Many saw Foley, at $235,900, as a value midfield buy, but an illness on game day meant he was a costly inclusion in round one.
Those Dream Teamers will be desperately hoping he's back to full health and stays well clear of the red substitute's vest this week.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
