Round 17 - St Kilda v Port Adelaide
Saturday July 20, 7:40pm at Etihad Stadium

B: Tom Simpkin, James Gwilt, Sean Dempster
HB: Farren Ray, Dylan Roberton, Jack Newnes
C: David Armitage, Lenny Hayes, Jimmy Webster
HF: Clint Jones, Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna
F: Stephen Milne, Tom Lee, Trent Dennis-Lane
Foll: Ben McEvoy, Nick Dal Santo, Jack Steven
Interchange: Tom Hickey, Josh Saunders, Rhys Stanley, Tom Curren

Emerg: Seb Ross, Brodie Murdoch, Sam Dunell

In: Tom Simpkin, Jimmy Webster, Tom Curren
Out: Jarryn Geary (leg), Terry Milera (omitted), Brodie Murdoch (omitted)

Overview:

Following a string of impressive performances at VFL level, rookie Tom Curren has been elevated to the senior list. The 178 centimetre midfielder - who won Sandringham’s best and fairest last season - replaces defender Sam Fisher, who has been placed on the long-term injury list due to a degenerative toe injury that required surgery and will keep him out for the season.

While Curren’s inclusion is a good story, the Saints will be without Jarryn Geary this weekend, after the tough defender copped a heavy knock to the leg during last week’s 36-point loss to Carlton.

For two consecutive weeks the Saints have gone into three quarter time within striking distance of a win before being overrun in the final term. St Kilda will be hoping for a more consistent four-quarter performance on Saturday night, but will be challenged by a Port Adelaide side that sits inside the top eight and will be desperate to stay there.
The Power has lost its past two matches, against Hawthorn and Essendon, but defeated Collingwood and Sydney in the previous fortnight.

It’s a much improved side than the one the Saints last came up against, in round one last season. Port Adelaide won that day, in what was Scott Watters’s first match in charge of St Kilda. The two sides haven’t met since; meaning Saturday night will mark the first time Watters and Ken Hinkley coach against one another.

Port Adelaide will start as a warm favourite, but Port’s poor recent record at Etihad Stadium is a major factor that leans in St Kilda’s favour. The Power has lost its last eight games at the venue; the most recent win there coming in 2010.

The loss of key midfielder Kane Cornes - due to suspension - is another factor that will hurt Port more than many realise. The veteran is having a fantastic year; only Swan, Pendlebury, Ablett and Mitchell have had more possessions this season. Unfortunately for St Kilda fans, his omission may be offset by the inclusion of former-captain Domenic Cassisi.

Scott Watters has identified Port Adelaide’s midfield as the biggest threat, but is also wary of the Power’s three tall forwards; Jay Schulz, Justin Westhoff and John Butcher.

None of them have particularly impressive records against St Kilda, but their height may trouble the Saints’ key defenders, who conceded seven goals to Carlton talls Lachie Henderson and Sam Rowe last weekend. Defender Tom Simpkin has been brought into the side this week to bolster the Saints’ defensive stocks.

At the other end of the ground, St Kilda will be hoping for another promising showing from 22-year-old Tom Lee, who has kicked six goals in the last fortnight and proved a valuable foil for captain Nick Riewoldt.

Stat focus:

• Port Adelaide has the best record in the AFL for fourth quarters this season, having won 10 of 15; St Kilda has the worst - it has won just two final quarters in 2013.
• St Kilda ranks fourth-last in tackles this season but hasn’t been out-tackled by an opponent since round eight. Port Adelaide has had the fourth-most tackles of any side in 2013 but hasn’t won a tackle count since round 10.
• The Power leads the league in handballs; St Kilda ranks 10th.
• Brad Ebert has had more kicks and marks than any other Port player this season, and is ranked second at the club in tackles and uncontested possessions.
• Jack Steven ranks first at St Kilda in contested possessions, handballs and goal assists.
• Rhys Stanley leads St Kilda in one-percenters this season, averaging 4.2 per game. Alipate Carlisle has the most one-percenters of any Port Adelaide player, averaging 5.1.

Injury list:

St Kilda:
Sam Fisher (toe) Season
Adam Schneider (hamstring) Test
Sam Gilbert (knee) 3 weeks
Daniel Markworth (knee) Season
Beau Maister (hamstring) 3-4 weeks
Jackson Ferguson (knee) 6 weeks
Justin Koschitzke (calf) 3-4 weeks

Port Adelaide:
Dom Cassisi - hamstring (Test)
Daniel Stewart - hip (Test)
Brett Ebert - adductor (1-2 weeks)
Jarrad Redden - hip (season)
 

Last week:

St Kilda 10.14 (74) defeated by Carlton 16.14 (110)
Port Adelaide 12.7 (79) defeated by Hawthorn 19.10 (124)

What they say:
(Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak on Monday)
“We probably haven’t been able to play our style there (at Etihad). We’ve probably let teams play that indoor, sort of uncontested footy and we haven’t been able to play our shut-down defensive style there, so we just need to bring that from the first quarter.”

What we say:
(St Kilda coach Scott Watters on Thursday morning)
“Last week our ball use wasn’t great, particularly when we had opportunities early in the game, so looking after the footy a bit better (will be a focus).
They’ve got some class midfielders. It’s taken them time to build the Boaks, Hartletts Wingards, etc. so they’ve got some quality.”

Running hot:
St Kilda: Lenny Hayes
The veteran hasn’t put a foot wrong since returning from a calf injury against Fremantle a fortnight ago. Hayes had 28 touches and nine clearances against Carlton last week, and looked to have well and truly put any injury concerns behind him. He has only played in one win this season, but will be doing everything possible to amend that on Saturday night.
Port Adelaide: Travis Boak
Boak has been phenomenal in his first year as captain, averaging more than 25 possessions and five clearances per game this season. He was Port’s best player again last week, winning 34 possessions, four clearances and kicking a goal in the 45-point loss to Hawthorn.

Watch out for:
St Kilda: Tom Curren
Curren has performed at a consistently high level in the VFL all season and has finally been rewarded with a chance at senior level. Curren stands at only 178 cm but has a great ability to find the ball, and uses it well once he’s got it. He kicked two goals in Sandringham’s win last weekend, and has been amongst its best players all season. He also won the Zebras’ best and fairest in 2012. The 22-year-old will be keen to impress in his debut game, with Scott Watters today suggesting young players will be given plenty of opportunities in the remaining matches this season - provided they earn their spots.

Port Adelaide: Angus Monfries
The crafty small-forward has been a revelation since crossing from the Bombers last year, kicking 24 goals this season, including 13 in the last five weeks. Monfries is also seventh in the league for goal assists, and has a useful knack of drawing free kicks around goal. He has received the 17th most frees of any player this year, averaging 1.5 per game - many of which result in shots at goal.

Last time they met:
Round 1, 2012 at AAMI Stadium 
Port Adelaide 13.11 (89) defeated St Kilda 13.7 (85)
Disposals: Goddard (29), Cornes (27)
Goals: Koschitzke (3), Schulz, Westhoff, Butcher, Ebert (2 each)