ST KILDA stars Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke are expected to be in the St Kilda line-up for Saturday night’s NAB Cup final with Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
There was speculation the pair would be rested for the clash after both finished their most recent NAB Cup matches on the bench amid injury fears.
But according to teammate Leigh Montagna, the twin towers of St Kilda’s forward line will be on board to face Adelaide’s notoriously miserly defence, with defender Sam Fisher also in the frame to return.
“Nick will play, he’s on track, his first game was last week and he’ll build up to round one, so I expect him to play,” Montagna said prior to training on Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m sure the fitness and coaching staff will have something similar (to last week) for him ... I can’t see him playing a full game, but he’ll probably more than last week.”
“I’m not sure how (Koschitzke) will go this week, but he was rested last week and I can’t see why he wouldn’t play.”
Montagna said it was pleasing to see the Saints begin to assemble their best 22 ahead of the season proper, even it did mean the impressive younger brigade were forced to step aside.
“We’ve been really consistent with the players we’ve played so far, but some of the young guys might have to be left out if Kosi and Sam Fisher and these blokes come back in,” Montagna said.
“That’s all healthy competition and really good for round one, and if we can have 26 or 27 players vying for round one, that’s going to make us a really good team.”
Montagna confirmed while both Matt Maguire and Brendan Goddard had been in full training for an extended period, the defensive duo were still at least three weeks away from being considered.
“They’ve both been training for a long time, since Christmas actually, and they’re both excited and really looking forward to coming back,” Montagna said, just as Maguire had completed some strong laps around the Moorabbin oval.
“They’re going to make a big difference to the team, so hopefully we can have them fit.”
While comments have surfaced in the media about the validity of the NAB Cup, Montagna, who played in the Saints’ successful 2004 cup campaign, says the competition serves a useful purpose.
“It would be nice to win a NAB Cup, it’s always nice to win any grand final you’re in, and a lot of guys don’t get the chance to play in any type of grand final, so to win that would be good,” he said.
“Getting four really good games under our belts is also going to hold us in good stead and if we can come out and do anything like we did in 2004 it’s going to be great for start of the season.”
“Obviously the main focus in the home and away season but if you can get some silverware along the way, you take it.”
Montagna said he was taken aback by the criticism the competition had received.
“We’ve been a little (surprised), it’s all just snowballed this year,” he said.
“I mean, it doesn’t matter what type of game you’re playing in, you’re always trying to win, so for us it’s no big deal.”
“Obviously the coaches have got to worry about managing their players and really the practice games at this time of year are trying to make sure the players are at peak fitness for round one, so that’s their priority, but once we get out, we’re just trying to win.”
Asked if he agreed with the assessment of Adelaide midfielder Jason Porplyzia, who said he’d rather take four points in round one than NAB Cup glory, Montagna said he wasn’t content to choose.
“Win them both. I can’t see why not,” he said with a smile.
“I don’t know why you’d have to choose between either one.”