St Kilda has defied expectations at every turn in 2019.
But the Saints now face arguably their biggest test so far, with a bouyant Adelaide awaiting on Saturday afternoon.
The Crows were touted as top-four fancies prior to Round 1, but with just two wins on the board, Don Pyke’s men will need to knock over their in-form opposition to give weight to those predictions.
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Adelaide has been victorious in the last eight encounters with St Kilda, and certainly boast the personnel to take it to nine consecutive wins, despite their indifferent start to 2019.
Their three Rorys will be paramount to their success, with Sloane, Atkins and Laird leading the charge this season.
Laird has been the glue of the Crows’ backline, with the dual All Australian leading his side for rebound-50s (26).
He hasn’t been alone down back, with Alex Keath (17 rebounds, 18 intercept marks) and Brodie Smith (24 rebounds, 2527 metres gained) covering their defensive bases alongside the experienced Daniel Talia.
St Kilda’s defence has been incredibly proficient, conceding just 344 points to place only behind Fremantle (337) in total points scored against after the first five rounds.
Shane Savage has been integral in solidifying the backline, with the talented ball-user enjoying a superb start to the year.
The new defenders in Josh Battle and Callum Wilkie have also stood tall, with a team-high nine intercept marks apiece and a combined 32 rebound-50s.
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Sloane and Atkins meanwhile have been dominant throughout Adelaide’s midfield, despite their ascendancy not translating to wins on the board.
The co-captain leads his side for contested possessions (70), stoppage clearances (24) and tackles (38), while Atkins has been crucial in driving the Crows forward with 22 inside-50s.
And with Bryce Gibbs finding form after his omission last fortnight and ball-magnets Matt and Brad Crouch averaging over 30 touches per game, the match could be won or lost depending on which classy midfielder Jack Steele is tasked with negating.
The importance of Jack Billings and Seb Ross throughout the midfield cannot be understated, with Ross leading the red, white and black into battle for the second time this season due to Jarryn Geary’s injury.
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Unfortunately for the Crows, there hasn’t been a Rory up forward to cause damage.
But they’ve made up for it with an Eddie.
Fresh off a six-goal haul in his 300th game last week, Eddie Betts undoubtedly looms as St Kilda’s greatest challenge heading into Saturday.
Exactly who will be tasked with the responsibility of reining in the 173cm small forward will be hotly debated at the selection table, particularly given the Saints’ tall defensive stocks and the absence of Geary.
Hard-nosed defender Daniel McKenzie shapes as the most likely candidate following his return from concussion, while Ben Paton’s athleticism and agility could see him go up against the Crows’ dangerman in just his sixth game of senior football.
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While he hasn’t hit the scoreboard himself all too often, ex-Saint Tom Lynch has accumulated 41 score involvements and has found plenty of footy, accruing a handy 22 disposals against Gold Coast last week.
After a gruelling month, Rowan Marshall will at last be pitted against a ruckman of similar experience, with five-gamer Reilly O’Brien the Crows' big man in the absence of Sam Jacobs.
With both the Saints and Crows determined to stay on the winners' list, Saturday afternoon shapes as another blockbuster under the roof of Marvel Stadium.
