While many predicted the Suns to finish on the cusp of the eight in 2014, their 5-2 start to the season suggests that Guy McKenna’s men might even be pushing for a top four berth if things fall their way. 

Before the bye, Gold Coast booted seven goals to North Melbourne’s one in a dominant first quarter of football that illustrated just how damaging its best football is.

And this weekend they will return to Etihad Stadium after a week off, committed to continuing their rise to prominence.

In response, St Kilda’s challenge is twofold. Firstly, how can Alan Richardson’s young team limit the influence of not just Gary Ablett, but also Dion Prestia, David Swallow and Jaeger O’Meara?

No longer do the Suns simply rely on their skipper. Instead, they possess a wealth of exciting young midfield talent that would rival just about any engine room in the AFL.

Secondly, how will the Saints boot a winning score after two unsatisfactory games against Hawthorn and then Carlton?

Much like Fremantle plays its best football when Matthew Pavlich isn’t the solitary forward target, St Kilda must find avenues to goal separate from its inspirational captain.

Rhys Stanley, Jack Billings, Adam Schneider and Arryn Siposs all have the potential to hit the scoreboard and it is essential that at least two of these players kick multiple goals this Sunday.

It’s no secret that St Kilda has had a flat month since it overran Essendon in round five, and this match presents a good opportunity to relish the underdog status and recapture the hunger and intensity that was evident against the Bombers four weeks ago.

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Stats that matter:
- Nick Riewoldt is coming 4th in the Coleman Medal, trailing Jay Schulz by four goals.
- Gary Ablett is ranked second in the league for clearances and centre clearances.
- Despite missing one game, Leigh Montagna is ranked second in the AFL for total kicks
- Gold Coast defender Steven May is ranked second in the AFL for one percenters
- The Suns are ranked second last in the AFL for effective disposal efficiency, while the Saints are 14th
- St Kilda is ranked equal first in the competition for total stoppages, averaging 28 per game.

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Injury list:
St Kilda:
Sam Fisher (hamstring) – 4-6 weeks
Sam Gilbert (foot) – 8 weeks
Tom Hickey (foot) – 6 weeks
Nathan Wright (leg) – 9 weeks
David Armitage (leg) – 2 weeks
Eli Templeton (arm) – 3-4 months
Jarryn Geary (arm) – 3-4 months
Trent Dennis-Lane (ankle) – 2-4 weeks

RELATED: Round 9 injury report

Gold Coast:
Andrew Boston (ankle) – Indefinite
Clay Cameron (shoulder) – test
Daniel Gorringe (achilles) – 6-8 weeks
Josh Hall (shoulder) – Indefinite
Karmichael Hunt (concussion) – Test
Kade Kolodjashnij (knee) – Test
Jesse Lonergan (hamstring) – 1-2 weeks
Jack Martin (shoulder) – Indefinite
Tom Nicholls (knee) – Indefinite

We’ve certainly worked the boys pretty hard over the weekend. During the week they had a few days off but we had a really solid training session over the weekend.

St Kilda plays Etihad pretty well. They knocked us off there last year, they beat Essendon there a month ago. We are under no illusions it will be a good battle.

We would like to go down there and play some good footy at Etihad.

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Last week:
St Kilda 9.15 (69) defeated by Carlton 15.11 (101)
Gold Coast - bye

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Running hot:
St Kilda: Adam Schneider
Prior to Monday, not since 2010 has the clever ball-user collected 26 touches in an AFL game, and despite the loss on Monday, Schneider was back to his crafty and dangerous best.

The 30-year-old is one of those rare players who appears to glide effortlessly past his opponents without pace or agility. His quick thinking allows Schneider to be a step ahead of the play. 

He also has superb vision and the innate ability to make the right decision at the correct time.

If he can stay fit, Schneider looms as one of St Kilda’s most important players this year.

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Gold Coast: Gary Ablett
The last time these two teams met, Ablett’s influence was practically thwarted by Clint Jones, who limited the dual Brownlow medallist to just seven kicks and 21 handballs. 

It will be interesting to see who Alan Richardson sends to the Gold Coast skipper this Sunday afternoon, given Tom Curren has been handed St Kilda’s primary tagging duties this year.

Until he lowered his colours to Marc Murphy on Monday, Curren had claimed seven fairly significant scalps including Patrick Dangerfield and Dyson Heppell.

Should Curren be given the job, Ablett presents the biggest test of them all.

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Watch out for:
St Kilda: Leigh Montagna
Given Leigh Montagna’s amazing consistency in recent times, he was probably due for a quieter game.

Against Carlton he still collected 21 disposals, but finished with a disposal efficiency of 38 per cent.

In the midfielder’s four matches against the Suns he averages 27.3 touches per game and will be intent on rebounding in a positive fashion this Sunday.

Gold Coast: Dion Prestia
Prestia enjoyed a breakout season last year, playing 20 games and averaging almost 26 disposals per game.

In 2014, he has picked up where he left off, amassing 28 touches per outing on average and further establishing himself as one of the Suns’ most pivotal link players.

The 21-year-old’s consistency is perhaps his greatest asset, gathering over 21 possessions in each of his seven games this campaign.

Last time they met:
Round 22 2013 at Etihad Stadium
St Kilda 17.14 (116) defeated Gold Coast 10.10 (70)
Disposals: Montagna (33), Gary Ablett (28)
Goals: Riewoldt, Milne (4), Sumner (3)