St Kilda Coach Alan Richardson admits Saturday night’s crucial encounter with North Melbourne is the biggest game he’s been a part of at the Saints, given what’s at stake for both sides.

On the back of winning seven of their past nine games, St Kilda has made a late surge towards qualifying for September, and their chances could take a significant boost if they defeat the Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium.

Currently, Brad Scott’s side sits two games clear of the ninth placed Saints on 11 wins, meaning this weekend’s fixture looms as an ‘eight-point game’.

Richardson is well aware that a win would keep his sides slim finals ambitions alive, but he is focused on controlling the controllable’s and that’s preparing to dismantle North Melbourne in an iconic moment for the game, with Brent Harvey breaking the games record.

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“It’s probably the most exciting opportunity we’ve had (in my time as coach). That’s pretty obvious. If we get a really positive result, the noise and the opportunity continues,” Richardson told reporters in a press conference on Friday.

“There’s some really positive noise about the direction the teams heading. There’s an opportunity we know – we’d rather it be a bigger opportunity, we’d rather be in control of our own destiny – but we’re not.

“It’s a big game, there’s no doubt about that and our boys are looking forward to the challenge. Fundamentally we need to continue to control what we can and that’s to play our way and that’s been our message for the last month really.

“There’s no doubt with this game, if we can park the milestone conversation, there’s a bit more significance for both teams. There’s an opportunity for both teams, in the Kangaroos case to make sure they play finals, for us it’s to stay alive.”

St Kilda made one change at the selection table on Thursday night, recalling dynamic midfielder-forward Darren Minchington at the expense of Jack Sinclair. North Melbourne also made one alteration, with key forward Jarrad Waite returning from hip soreness, forcing Majak Daw out of the side.