Thanks to McDonald's, we're taking you inside some of the Saints' unique habits, superstitions and quirks in the lead-up to game-day.

This week, Callum Wilkie opens up on his pre-game routine, how he keeps focus and what’s changed since relocating to the Sunshine State.

What are your habits the night before a game?

I usually just get a bowl of pasta the night before a game. I’ll watch the footy if it’s on or an episode or two of whatever TV show I’m watching.

I try and keep routine as best I can, it obviously depends what time the game is the next day, and this year has thrown things around a bit.

If it’s a night game, I’ll try and stay up a little bit later.  I normally start that from the night before, even a couple of nights before a game.

How about your usual routine on the day?

Back in Melbourne, I usually wake up and walk down and get a coffee with my partner, but up here it’s a bit different. I usually walk down to the beach and just sort of chill out before the game.

I’ll listen to music in the car, or on the bus on the way to the game. That’s probably the only time I listen to my music to get in the right headspace.

What music do you listen to?

I usually listen to slow, chilled sort of vibes rather than pump-up tunes when I’m on my way to the game so I don’t get the blood rushing too soon. I like to stay nice and calm and relaxed.

What happens next when you get to the ground? 

I like to get there pretty early, probably two hours or a bit more before the game.

I'll get my physio and strapping done pretty early, get my boots on and ready and honestly just have a kick around.

I hate being rushed before games, so I just like to be ready in my boots and clothes and then have a bit of a laugh with mates and not take it too seriously until it’s time.

Who do you like spending time with before a game?

I like being around a bit of everyone, really. Nicholas Hind, he’s always good for a laugh, Dougal Howard’s always up for a good chat, so those boys just help take the nerves off a little bit.

Hindy, Dougal and Dan Butler, those boys I sit near on the bus, but everyone gives a bit of space and keeps to themselves a bit on the way to the ground.

Jarryn Geary though, he’s a bit of pest…

Do you have any strict habits before a game?

I’m not someone who’s overly superstitious. The only weird thing would be if I try something one week and it works, I might try and do it the next.

Eventually, it doesn’t work because you can’t always have awesome games every week… usually they work for a couple of weeks and then once I have a bad game they stop!

I also visualise the game in my own time – not specific timings or anything like that, sometimes it's on the bus – before we do some with Ben Robbins in the lead-up.