A test out west awaits as the Saints jet off across the Nullabor.

Catch up on everything on the agenda as St Kilda prepares to take on West Coast at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

A special milestone

Callum Wilkie’s remarkable rise from mature-age recruit to St Kilda vice-captain isn’t lost on Ross.

The star defender plays game 100 on Sunday and has arguably been the most reliable magnet on Lyon’s board this year, ranking first in the AFL for intercept possessions heading into Round 16.

Ross says… “It’s pretty exciting for him. He’s been awesome since I’ve been here. He’s really well respected…we’re looking to play well for him.”

Regaining our identity

After succumbing to their first consecutive losses of the season, the Saints are determined to return to the winning formula they enjoyed over the opening months of the year.

Ross says this week’s training sessions have focussed on playing aggressive football and taking the game on when opportunities present.

Ross says… “We just feel we’ve lost a bit of how we were playing in the first eight rounds. We’ve fallen away in some areas and lost our identity a bit with our outnumber game, our aggressive defence and our braveness with the ball. We’re looking to, in the last third of the season, get that back and it starts this week with West Coast."

Expecting a fierce challenge

West Coast have made headlines this week for their heavy defeat in Sydney, but Ross is imploring his side to expect a resurgent Eagles outfit on their home deck.

Having coached across the Nullarbor in purple for eight years, Lyon knows no four points are easily achieved at Optus Stadium.

Ross says… “There’s a lot of noise around West Coast but we’ve made it all about ourselves. We’re disappointed and keen to get back out there. West Australian teams at home are really hard to beat and they tend to grow in confidence…we understand it’s going to be pretty fierce.”

Pressure on for spots

The smaller the injury list gets, the longer team selection meetings go.

It’s a good problem for Ross and his coaching crew, who have been forced to spin magnets without key personnel throughout the campaign.

Experienced trio Jack Billings, Zak Jones and Dan McKenzie made their returns from injury in the VFL last week and will hope to put together a strong run of form to put their hands up for selection in the back half of the year.

Ross says… “Jack Billings has just come off a four-week hamstring and was one of our better players (in the VFL) last week…we’ve got (Dan) McKenzie coming back for his second game, (Zak) Jones for his second game, Jack Peris and Zaine Cordy are in the squad, and hopefully at some point Tim Membrey will come out of that rehab block and put some pressure on as well.”

The ladder doesn’t lie

It wouldn’t be a Ross press conference without a Ross-ism. Enjoy his latest.

Ross says… “The ladder doesn’t lie, does it? Where you are is where you are, you have to earn that. But we know you’re only as good as your next game, so that’s our focus.”