The last time St Kilda visited Adelaide Oval, history was made.
Never having won a game at the venue, Brett Ratten’s men claimed two victories in the space of five days; the latter against a Port Adelaide side that would go on to finish on top of the ladder.
Now heading back to their happy hunting ground almost a year later, the Saints find themselves in a similar situation: backs against the ropes and determined to rebound after a gut-wrenching loss the week before.
But under the Sunday night lights on Anzac Day, there’s no backing down.
Rowan Marshall
Rowan Marshall will hope to pick up from where he left off as his side prepares to tackle the in-form Port Adelaide on Sunday night.
The 25-year-old was a late out for Maddie’s Match, with a foot complaint from the preceding game against the Eagles forcing him out of the line-up.
Marshall missed the first three matches of the 2021 season with hotspot in his foot, seeing the Saints deploy Paul Hunter, Shaun McKernan and Jake Carlisle in his absence.
Prior to missing the opening rounds of the year, Marshall had played 35 consecutive matches, last missing a game in Round 6, 2019 (illness).
Zak Jones
Soreness ruled Zak Jones out of last Thursday’s clash with Richmond, but with an extended break on his side, is in prime position to return in time for Anzac Day.
Like Marshall, Jones was a late omission heading into Round 5 and was replaced in the starting 22 by Luke Dunstan.
Jones was sidelined before the Saints’ season opener with a hamstring injury, before emphasising his damaging tendencies against West Coast with an impressive 26 disposals and 10 clearances.
The No. 3 has played 19 matches for St Kilda after crossing over from Sydney during the 2019 trade period.
Ryan Byrnes
Hamstring surgery has kept Ryan Byrnes away from the action for almost two months, but last week’s return through the VFL showed otherwise.
The 19-year-old didn’t look out of place as he accumulated 21 disposals, eight marks and a classy long-range goal to cap off a promising hit-out at the Swinburne Centre.
Byrnes made his debut last season in the club’s maiden win at Adelaide Oval, mostly playing up forward as his side secured a 23-point win over the Crows.
The former Sandringham Dragons skipper was picked up by the Saints with pick No. 52 in the 2019 National Draft.
In Contention
With the 2021 VFL Season officially getting underway last Friday, several Saints had the opportunity to press their case for a potential senior berth.
Shaun McKernan bagged four goals to complement his 23 disposals and 10 marks, while defensive duo Oscar Clavarino (20 disposals, 13 marks) and Darragh Joyce (17 disposals) were strong down back.
Dean Kent (14 disposals) and young Tom Highmore (16 disposals, seven marks) fought hard, while Leo Connolly (19 disposals) and Mason Wood (18 disposals, seven marks) were also productive.
Meanwhile, All-Australian ruckman Paddy Ryder continues to build fitness after his return from personal leave and is an outside chance to face his old side on Sunday night.
Fellow veteran James Frawley is still a couple of weeks away from a return to footy.