ST KILDA vs WEST COAST
Sunday June 22, 3.20pm
Etihad Stadium
Fox Footy, Seven

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Overview:  
St Kilda will be glad to be back at Etihad Stadium this week after a difficult fortnight on the road, first to Port Adelaide and then to Geelong.
While West Coast has the potential to score heavily, its inconsistency both home and away this year has frustrated Adam Simpson as much as the fans.

Josh Kennedy remains a match-winner, as does Nic Naitanui and Mark Le Cras, but without the injured Scott Selwood as a driving force in midfield, St Kilda has the cattle to expose the Eagles in the clinches.

After a spate of injuries earlier in the year, the Saints on-ball brigade finally looks relatively settled, with Lenny Hayes again leading the charge.
Supporting the veteran is Maverick Weller, Leigh Montagna, Jack Steven and recently, Seb Ross, who gathered a career-high 28 disposals against Geelong last week.

Yet the bare facts are sobering: St Kilda has not only struggled to limit the opposition’s goal-kicking in recent weeks (conceding over 100 point in each of its last six games), but the Saints have also been found wanting in their own offensive pursuits. 

In the midst of significant attention, Nick Riewoldt’s form has tapered slightly, and as a result Alan Richardson’s men haven’t penetrated the goal-mouth as they proficiently as they did earlier in the year.

But as Jack Billings explains in the above video, it all comes back to effort for St Kilda this Sunday, and if West Coast is even slightly off its game, a fourth victory for 2014 is not beyond the realms of possibility.

Injury list:
St Kilda:
Sam Gilbert (foot) – 6 weeks
Eli Templeton (arm) – 2-3 months
Jarryn Geary (elbow) – 2-3 months
Blake Acres (foot) – 3 weeks
Adam Schneider (foot) – Test

VIDEO: Andrew Wallis' injury update

West Coast:
Beau Waters (shoulder) – season
Scott Selwood (ankle) – ongoing
Elliot Yeo (hand) – 5-7 weeks
Sam Butler (finger) – test
Luke Shuey (ankle) – test

What we say: (St Kilda midfielder Lenny Hayes):
We have to get our hands dirty and get back to basics and come out and play some hard and tough footy next week… We need to really hone our skills at the moment.

LENNY HAYES: Hard work the only remedy

Last week:
St Kilda 5.7 (37) defeated by Geelong 20.13 (133)

MATCH REPORT: Saints humbled by Cats

West Coast 15.13 (103) defeated Gold Coast 15.10 (100)
Running hot:
St Kilda: Seb Ross
He’s done it the hard way, but finally Seb Ross looks to have established himself in St Kilda’s best team.
Forced to earn his stripes in the VFL after a solid 2013 season, Ross was one of the few shining lights against Geelong last weekend, collecting a career-best 28 disposals.

West Coast: Josh Kennedy
The stand-in skipper booted seven against the Gold Coast last weekend and is one of the most damaging key position players in the AFL at his best.

Kennedy kicked two goals from five scoring shots in round three against the Saints, and again poses a considerable threat this Sunday.

Watch out for:
St Kilda: Leigh Montagna
Though Montagna has had a couple of uncharacteristically quiet weeks, his importance to St Kilda’s on-ball brigade cannot be underestimated.

The 30-year-old averages 25.5 disposals against West Coast across his career and was arguably the Saints best player in round three with two goals and 27 touches.

West Coast: Mark LeCras
In a similar vein to Kennedy, LeCras has the potential to dominate games with his clever goal-kicking and underrated marking ability.

The 122-gamer has struggled with injury and suspension this year, but has still managed to boot 15 goals in seven games in addition to averaging over 17 disposals per game.

Without Jarryn Geary, St Kilda’s defence will need to pay close attention to the 27-year-old from West Perth

VIDEO: Jarryn Geary's road to recovery

Last time they met:
Round 3, 2014 at Patersons Stadium
St Kilda 8.10 (58) defeated by West Coast 12.11 (83)
Disposals: Dunstan (29), Priddis (28)
Goals: Riewoldt, Montagna, Dunstan (2), Cripps, Kennedy, Ellis (2)

RELATED: Round 3 match report