St Kilda, like many sides this season, has endured a bumpy start to its 2007 campaign. The Saints are yet to find their breathtaking best, perhaps coming closest in round three with a convincing win over the Bulldogs. They have looked sloppy at times and only got the job done last week despite threatening to bolt away from the Blues at different stages of the game. Facing Paul Roos’ men – on the back of a loss themselves – is their biggest test of the year.RECENT FORM (PAST FIVE MATCHES): R2 – Brisbane 15.12 (102) def St Kilda 7.8 (50)
R3 – St Kilda 17.14 (116) def Western Bulldogs 9.12 (66)
R4 – St Kilda 9.14 (68) lost to Essendon 15.9 (99)
R5 – Port Adelaide 14.12 (96) def St Kilda 6.7 (43)
R6 – St Kilda 18.17 (125) def Carlton 11.16 (82)
LAST TIME OUT: 2006, Round 11 – Sydney 7.8 (50) lost to St Kilda 7.10 (52) at the SCG
The Saints scored one of their best wins of last season when the two sides last met, winning a gruelling battle on a greasy night at the SCG. It wasn’t pretty and one might have thought that would have suited the home side down to the ground, but St Kilda showed they had the mettle to play tough, grinding footy. Nick Riewoldt was superb late in the contest, dropping back to take some telling marks while Matt Maguire also performed a great blanketing job on Barry Hall.THE GROUND:
Telstra Dome comes into play here – big time. Everyone knows how much the Saints love playing at this ground, although in recent years they haven’t always come through with the goods in big games. Both sides will be primed for this one, so fans of both sides can expect a fierce battle. The ball pings up and down the ground at a rate of knots under the roof at the Dome, although the Swans might try to nullify the Saints’ love of quick ball movement.COACH:
Some might think Saints coach Ross Lyon would simply be a clone of Paul Roos, having spent three years at Sydney before replacing Grant Thomas at St Kilda. Time will tell as to just how closely the Saints’ game plan resembles that of the Swans, but the coaching duel and the moves both men sitting in the box pull should be entertaining in itself. Both are likely to have an intimate knowledge of how the other operates but Lyon will probably know the Swans’ plans as well as anyone in the away camp.STRENGTHS:
While Aaron Hamill is still missing through injury, the Saints’ main dangers always appear to be key forwards Nick Riewoldt and Fraser Gehrig. On the speedy Telstra Dome track and with the perhaps under-sized Craig Bolton and Leo Barry to tackle the two stars, the outcomes of those two match-ups will be crucial to the outcome. The Swans will be trying to cut the pair’s supply, so stopping the in-form Nick Dal Santo, Leigh Montagna and Luke Ball is equally important.MISSING IN ACTION:
Former Sydney product Lenny Hayes, Andrew Thompson, Michael Gardiner, Hamill and Maguire are longer-term prospects while the Saints hope Raphael Clarke (back) Sam Fisher (hamstring) and Max Hudghton (quad) are all available for selection this week.THE KEY:
The coaching box. The coaching battle should be absorbing viewing, and expect the cameras to zoom in on Roos and his counterpart pretty often throughout the night. Ross Lyon was the Swans midfield coach before taking the reins at St Kilda. Expect his knowledge of the Swans’ engine room to play a big part, as this one looks destined to be won in the middle.THE QUESTIONS:
Can Adam Goodes fire? Can Paul Roos stop Dal Santo? Can Lyon stop the Swans midfielders – the players he taught – from dominating the clearances?THE YOUNG GUN:
Jason Gram. He might have turned 23 late last month and have played every game last year but still few know much about the dashing defender. Originally from Brisbane, Gram was runner-up in the Saints’ best and fairest in 2006 after averaging 20 disposals a game and booting 10 goals. The Saints’ equivalent of Tadhg Kennelly – although he ain’t Irish – Gram is one to watch.THE STOPPER:
Usually it’s Steven Baker, but his suspension earlier this week is a real loss for the Saints. Any tagging duties on Saturday night might fall to one of the Fisher boys or even Luke Ball.DID YOU KNOW?
At 35, evergreen St Kilda midfielder Robert Harvey is the AFL’s oldest footballer – although going on his recent form, you wouldn’t know it. He’s been trotting around like a 25-year-old and was instrumental against Carlton last week with 25 possessions.The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
