CONSECUTIVE games against last year's Grand Final teams will give St Kilda a gauge on its place in the competition after a fast start to the season, according to coach Alan Richardson.
The Saints weren't able to match it with premiers West Coast last week, and face runners-up Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday.
The Pies look like they could be without match-winning forward Jordan De Goey, who is battling a lower leg injury, and Richardson said the fortnight of tough games would provide an insight into where his side sits after jumping out to four wins from their first five games this year.
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"I think it does [give us a guide]. Clubs that are moving and are confident they are heading the right way look for those quality opponents to get a really good gauge of where you're at," Richardson said on Friday.
"Last week, and even the week before against GWS [when we had] 62 [inside-50] entries to 42, we weren't able to capitalise.
"[There's] been really clear feedback to us that if we don't play 120 minutes of footy in the way we want to play, particularly against the top end of town, we're going to get beat."
St Kilda has been ravaged by injury this season, with star recruit Dan Hannebery, gun defender Jake Carlisle, reliable backman Dylan Roberton and No.1 pick Paddy McCartin all yet to take the field.
Midfielder Jack Steven is also out indefinitely as he deals with a mental health issue.
Joining them on the sidelines is Jimmy Webster, who is out with a hand injury.
The 25-year-old initially suffered a hand complaint against the Giants in round seven, but played last week against the Eagles. He will meet with a specialist to determine if further surgery is required.
"He was right last week, it just hasn't pulled up the way we'd like. He'll see the experts. It's the hand that he initially had surgery on last year, so there's still a little bit of uncertainty," Richardson said.
"Scans aren't showing much but … there'll be a bit more investigation into that."
If we don't play 120 minutes of footy in the way we want to play, particularly against the top end of town, we're going to get beat - Alan Richardson
Hannebery returned to training this week after dealing with hamstring and calf issues over summer, and Richardson said the premiership Swan was likely to be available for VFL selection in a month.
"He trained almost fully, he didn't do the match simulation, but that's heading the right way," he said.
"We want to make sure that we really bulletproof his body. It will frustrate him. If he was answering that question he'd say two weeks [before he can play], possibly even one week.
"We'll hold him back a little bit to make sure he's right, but that's exciting for us."
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