Talk about a fortnight flipped on its head.
First it was no crowds at Marvel Stadium the week before due to the developing COVID-19 situation in Victoria, and now a relocation to the Harbour City to face the rampant Swans on their home deck.
But embracing the set of incoming challenges is right up the Saints' alley, with a chance to topple the Bloods on their home deck presenting itself as the perfect springboard for the rounds ahead.
Round 12 | 2021
Sydney v St Kilda
Saturday 5 May
1:45PM, SCG
Broadcast live on Fox Footy and Kayo
Key Storylines
A Buddy big threat
Arguably the greatest forward of the modern era, Lance Franklin has terrified opposition defences throughout his 14-year career.
The 2013 premiership player has taken to the field seven times this year having slotted 22 goals, including bags of six and five during the season.
The Saints have had a rough time in recent past against the 307-gamer at the SCG, with Franklin booting a dazzling four goals in his 300th game in Round 23, 2019.
Brett Ratten will be looking to shut the Sydney No. 23 out of the game, with Dougal Howard the man to get the job on the Sydney veteran.
Pressuring the Swans up the field and limiting Franklin's supply will be front of mind for the Saints, but the key defender nevertheless has a mammoth task ahead.
Swans on song at the SCG
Sydney has seen a resurgence from its form last season, sitting at sixth on the AFL ladder nearly halfway into the season.
Adding to their eye-catching run has been their form at the SCG, where they have won five of their last six encounters at the venue.
In fact, their only loss at the SCG was against fellow Sydneysiders Greater Western Sydney, where they went down to the Giants by two points.
But the Swans are far from flat-track bullies, and have proved this year they have the capabilities to take it up to the competition's best.
Brisbane, Richmond, and Geelong have all been victims, and Melbourne barely survived at the MCG.
A fixture flipped on its head
As St Kilda took on North Melbourne in front of an empty and silent Marvel Stadium last week, it was an eerie reminder of the 2020 season gone by.
Thankfully this week, the Saints will be back playing footy in front of fans, albeit mostly Sydney ones, but the challenge still remains around the uncertainty of the fixture.
Due to the current restrictions in Victoria, there will be no footy played in Melbourne this weekend, with the Saints switching home games with the Swans for Round 12.
The two sides are set to meet again in Round 21 at Marvel Stadium, however.
Where the game is won
Sydney is a unique team in the AFL this year, combining its traditional dour defence with youthful exuberance that has put it on track for a top-eight finish.
This makes it a critical game for St Kilda, as Brett Ratten’s men seek to dislodge teams directly above them on the ladder.
Traditionally, the Swans have had a heavy focus on shutting down opposition attacks, by packing the dangerous areas in front of goal and putting heavy pressure on shooters. This season, their opponents have had the lowest quality shots, and have suffered the most tackling pressure around the ground.
Additionally this year Sydney has made the most of possession gained in its defensive zone, reaching its forward line with 35% of chains from kick-ins (AFL highest) and generating 22% of its scoring from D50 sources.
Some words from Ratts
Team line-ups
After missing last week with groin soreness, Hunter Clark returns to the senior line-up against the Swans.
Clark has been an important part of St Kilda's make-up, with his class through the midfield, off half-back or even pushing into attack prominent in majority of outings this year.
Tom Highmore has been omitted from the side, but has been named as an emergency for the clash at the SCG along with Paul Hunter, Jack Lonie and Ben Long.
On the radar
While Lance Franklin will have the most eyes on him, the Saints cannot forget about Tom Papley.
The 24-year-old has had a productive season in front of goal thus far, booting 20 goals at an average of two majors per game.
Dangerous in front of goal, Papley thrives off the attention that Franklin draws, and the role of nullifying the small forward will likely fall to Jimmy Webster, who will look to provide a lockdown job on the Swans' No. 11.
Keep an eye on
Do not underestimate the return of Hunter Clark.
The 22-year-old has been a major piece in the St Kilda structure, providing a silky set of hands, rebounding from defensive 50 and strong intercept skills across the lines.
Clark has averaged 22 disposals and five intercepts per game in 2021 and – even after missing last week's match – sits third in the club's effective disposals count (163).
The No. 11 was particularly influential when the Saints and Swans met at the Gabba in 2020, collecting 20 disposals and threading an impressive goal on his non-preferred in the ardent victory.
Last time we met
It was a win that saw St Kilda surge into the top four, as they came away 53-point winners last year against Sydney at the Gabba.
The Swans fought valiantly for three quarters before the red, white and black turned on the jets and ran away with the game in the final term, kicking six goals to one.
Young Max King slotted three goals in a strong showing, Nicholas Hind was electric with a further three majors, while Zak Jones, Jade Gresham and Jack Steele were superb in the middle of the ground.
