Friday night was a step in the right direction for St Kilda but they will need to keep the momentum going this Sunday against Collingwood.

The Saints will return to the MCG for the second time in as many weeks as they look to continue their winning ways and put together their second straight win.

Senior Coach Brett Ratten was adamant that his side do not get ahead of themselves heading into Sunday’s clash with the Pies, saying that they must start building consistency in their form.

With the Saints set to be buoyed by the return of Jack Billings, Sunday looms as an important opportunity to take home another win at the ‘G.

Round 16 | 2021

Collingwood v St Kilda
Sunday 4 July
3:20PM, MCG
Broadcast live on Channel Seven, Fox Footy and Kayo

Key Storylines

Returning to the ‘G

It is rare that the Saints play at the MCG. Playing back-to-back games there is almost unheard of.

But for the first time since 2013, St Kilda will play two games straight at the ‘G after they knocked off Richmond last week by 40-points.

The Saints have struggled in recent history at the 'Home of Footy', only winning five out of the past 11 games at the ground, but they have the chance to make it six from 12 on Sunday against the Pies.

The win would also see Brett Ratten's men go 2-0 at the MCG for the home-and-away season, a feat that hasn’t been achieved since 2016, where they won all three of their games at the ‘G.

Billings is back

St Kilda are set to be bolstered by the return of Jack Billings, who was a late out last week against the Tigers.

The 25-year-old midfielder suffered a knock to his knee 15 minutes out from the opening bounce, meaning that Leo Connolly was given a debut as medical sub, and came on during the third quarter after Nick Coffield injured his hamstring.

The game was the first one that Billings has missed in over three years, and he will be keen to get back out on the field this Sunday.

The Saints’ No. 15 is currently sitting third in the club for inside 50s, and fourth for disposals and score involvements.

A wrestle in the ruck

One of the more tantalising battles to come out of Sunday’s match-up will be the battle in the ruck between the combination of Rowan Marshall and Paddy Ryder, who will take on the Magpie duo of Brodie Grundy and Darcy Cameron.

St Kilda’s pairing of Ryder and Marshall has been an important part of its structure, winning three out of four games this season with both playing.

But with Brodie Grundy sitting as one of the premier ruckmen in the competition, sitting third in the AFL for hit-outs to advantage and hit-outs in total, Sunday’s game will be no walk in the park for the Saints.

Adding to the repertoire of the Pies is Grundy’s second in command, Darcy Cameron, who has the ability to play the second ruck role, leaving St Kilda looking at a tough challenge in the middle.

Some words from Ratts

Team Lineups

St Kilda has made two changes ahead of its Round 16 clash, with Jack Billings and Leo Connolly named in the starting line-up for Sunday.

The 25-year-old Billings will return to the side after he was a late-out last week against Richmond, while the impressive Round 15 debut from Connolly earned him a recall to form part of the bench.

Nick Coffield (hamstring) and Josh Battle (omitted) make way for the incoming duo.

Battle, Paul Hunter, Dean Kent and Jack Lonie have been named as emergencies.

On the radar

In his 16^th AFL season, Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury is still one of the most impactful players going around the league.

The 330-gamer is averaging 25 disposals per game and sits at first for his club in contested possessions, stoppage clearances, pressure acts and second for total disposals, disposal efficiency, effective disposals, and total tackles.

His last two games have seen Pendlebury notch up 31 and 29 disposals apiece, with 20 and 15 contested possessions to go with those numbers.

The Saints will be wary of the output that the Pies’ veteran can produce, and will be looking to shut him down early to minimise his impact on the game

Keep an eye on

It was a whirlwind 24 hours for Leo Connolly last Friday, who went from possibly debuting, to not debuting, to debuting as medical sub and then coming on in the third quarter.

But if he was thrown off by his start to the night, the youngster certainly did not show it on-field.

11 disposals in a quarter and a bit of footy off half-back was a solid first outing for the 19-year-old, who impressed enough to earn a spot in the starting 22 against Collingwood this week.

Connolly’s form in the VFL has been strong, providing good run-and-carry from the backline through the middle of the ground, which the young Saint will look to bring come Sunday.

Last time we met

In only the second game back after the restart of the 2020 season, it was Collingwood who came away with the win, knocking off the Saints by 44 points.

Steele Sidebottom collected 31 disposals and kicked a goal in the victory, while Scott Pendlebury also grabbed 26 touches.

For St Kilda, Bradley Hill nabbed 25 disposals, while Dan Butler booted two majors as the Saints’ only multiple goal-kicker.