Where and when:
Sunday August 18, 3.20pm
Sydney Cricket Ground
Overview:
Much like Hawthorn last week and Geelong a fortnight before, Sydney is in premiership mode. Also like the Cats and Hawks, the Swans are coming off a loss heading into their game against St Kilda. Not that this will intimidate the Saints, who proved last Friday that they are up for the challenge regardless of opposition or personnel.
Stern tests like this, especially at the SCG, present a great opportunity for the assortment of St Kilda youngsters to learn off some of the AFL's best players.
The Saints possess a truckload of youth around the ground, but aside from Tom Curren, remain largely experienced in midfield department. Nick Dal Santo, Leigh Montagna and Clinton Jones generally have a pretty strong record against the likes of Daniel Hannebery, Keiren Jack and Josh Kennedy, while it would be foolish to discount the worth of youngster Tom Mitchell and Luke Parker.
The Swans haven't lost at the SCG since round four and enjoy the close confines of the ground. For this reason, St Kilda's stoppage work will have to be at its best on Sunday afternoon, an aspect of the game Scott Watters' men have improved at in recent times.
The last time these two teams met, in New Zealand in round five, St Kilda had more contested possessions than John Longmire's men and levelled the clearance count.
A similarly ferocious attack on the ball will be required this weekend, with Jack Steven and Leigh Montagna shaping as pivotal players in the Saints engine room.
St Kilda will be committed to pushing Sydney all the way, as they did at the SCG in round 17 last year, while the Swans are pushing for a top two finish and must win this weekend to keep their hopes alive.
Stat focus:
- Sydney is ranked second in handballs per game and first for tackles per game in the AFL.
- Leigh Montagna is averaging 28.3 disposals per match this season, ranked seventh in the competition.
- Jarrad McVeigh has been Sydney's prolific ball-winner in 2013, averaging 27.2 possessions per match - ranked fifth in the AFL. He is also ranked second in the league behind Scott Pendlebury for total effective disposals.
- Kieren Jack and Ryan O'Keefe are ranked first and second respectively for total tackles this season in the league.
- St Kilda has two players ranked inside the top 10 in the AFL for total running bounces. Jack Steven is ranked fifth, while Dylan Roberton is eighth.
- Sydney's Nick Malceski is ranked second for this category in the league, taking 47 running bounces for the season.
- Nick Riewoldt continues to dominate aerially, ranked first in the AFL for total marks.
Injury list:
St Kilda:
Sam Fisher (Toe) - Season
Sam Gilbert (Knee) - Available
Daniel Markworth (Knee) - Season
Beau Maister (Hamstring) - Test
Jackson Ferguson (Knee) - Season
Justin Koschitzke (Calf) - 1 week
Ahmed Saad (Quad) - Test
Terry Milera (Ankle) - Season
Spencer White (Wrist) - Season
Rhys Stanley (Collarbone) - Season
Arryn Siposs (Shoulder) - Season
Tom Simpkin (Leg) - Season
Sydney:
Alex Johnson (Knee) - Season
Tommy Walsh (Hamstring) - Season
Lewis Roberts-Thomson (Knee) - 2-3 weeks
Sam Reid (Quad) - 1-2 weeks
Lewis Jetta (Shin) - 1-2 weeks
Adam Goodes (Knee) - 1-2 weeks
Harry Marsh (Hamstring) - 1 week
Mitch Morton (Knee) - 1 week
Sam Naismith (Knee) - Available
Last week:
St Kilda 7.14 (56) defeated by Hawthorn 14.18 (102)
Sydney 10.11 (71) defeated by Collingwood 14.16 (100)
What they say: (Sydney coach John Longmire last Saturday night)
We just didn't work hard enough when we had the ball and when they had the ball. That's usually a part of the game that we're pretty good at, we just didn't do it very well. Hopefully tonight is something we can review and work out what we did right and wrong and move onto the Saints next week. You have to be the best team you can every week no matter what's gone before you.
What we say (Scott Watters):
The likes of Hannebery, Jack and Kennedy are very mature, outstanding midfielders. There are some great opportunities for our young players to go head to head with some of the best players in the competition. We said last week we wouldn't hide them from these opportunities. It is a great litmus test for our group and we look forward to playing last year's premiers who are still arguably the best side in the competition.
Running hot:
St Kilda: Farren Ray
The elusive wingman amassed 30 touches for the first time since late 2009 last Friday night. His ability to compete in marking contests and spread laterally provides St Kilda with great flexibility in forward transition. Ray has collected 20 or more touches in each of his last five games, illustrating his continued improvement and value to the team in the latter stages of this season.
Sydney: Kurt Tippett
The 26-year-old power forward has fitted in seamlessly to Sydney's forward structure. Tippett hasn't booted below three goals in a game for six weeks, kicking hauls of six in each of the Swans last two matches. At 202 centimetres, he is a significant forward presence and a player which St Kilda will have to watch very closely on Sunday afternoon.
Watch out for:
St Kilda: Adam Schneider
The 29-year-old booted three second half goals last week and will relish going up against his former teammates. It's been a long season for the classy left-footer, but after last week's performance he will be committed to finishing the season with a solid month of football. At his best, he's one of St Kilda's most polished movers - capable of racking up high numbers and posing a serious threat around goal.
Sydney: Jarrad McVeigh
In his 10th season of AFL football, McVeigh is enjoying his most prolific year yet. Earlier in the season Longmire released him to the half-back-flank, a move which has worked wonders, McVeigh averaging 27.2 disposals per game. If he is allowed to run and create, he is a potentially extremely damaging player.
Last time they met:
Round 5, 2013 at Westpac Stadium, New Zealand
St Kilda 9.9 (63) defeated by Sydney 11.13 (79)
Disposals: Hayes (28), Hannebery (30)
Goals: Riewoldt, Montagna, McGylnn, Parker (2 each)
