St Kilda has a clear blueprint on what to focus on ahead of Season 7, ticking off its second practice match in as many weeks against Brisbane this afternoon at RSEA Park.

The experienced Lions were a cut above for majority of the day, skipping out to a three-goal lead before a much-improved second half from the Saints stemmed the flow in the 2.4 (16) to 6.6 (42) result.

Erin McKinnon was head and shoulders above St Kilda’s most influential player, piecing together a commanding performance in the air and physical – and at times, fiery – showing at ground level to challenge Brisbane’s set-up.

The All-Australian’s work-rate pushing deep into attack was a noticeable feature throughout, adding to St Kilda’s forward line which was without Caitlin Greiser.

St Kilda looked at its best when shifting the angles through its ball movement and utilising its run from the wings, chiefly led by Darcy Guttridge and Alice Burke. A precise piece of play between the pair late in the third term culminated in a maiden goal to Nicola Stevens, but there wasn’t enough of it as the Lions dominated the play forward of centre.

The Saints were noticeably more vocal after half-time and were far more disciplined in their structures to limit the visitors to just two majors after the main break. But Brisbane were sharper in all facets, with the 2021 Premiers – led by AFLW Medallist Emily Bates, Breanna Koenen, Bella Dawes and Lucinda Pullar – coming away to reaffirm they’ll be contenders once again in Season 7.  

Dawes was superb in mitigating the influence of Hannah Priest, while Phoebe Monahan was locked in battle with key forward Kate Shierlaw (one goal) for most of the afternoon. 

Courtney Hodder looked lively in her extended periods through the middle, fighting on despite being involved in a heavy collision with Burke and Clara Fitzpatrick in the opening stages of the second term.

St Kilda will kick off its upcoming campaign against expansion side Sydney on Saturday 27 August at North Sydney Oval.

ST KILDA  1.1  1.2  2.2  2.4 (16)
BRISBANE  2.2  4.3  5.3  6.6 (42)

GOALS
St Kilda: Shierlaw, Stevens
Brisbane: Davidson 2, Bodey, Yoshida-Martin, Bates, Svarc

BEST
St Kilda: McKinnon, Guttridge, Burke, Stevens, Richards, White, Jakobsson, Dillon
Brisbane: Bates, Koenen, Dawes, Pullar, Grider, Davidson, Hodder, Svarc