In: Justin Koschitzke, Dylan Roberton, Tom Lee
Out: Cameron Shenton, Jack Newnes, Brodie Murdoch

Milestone: Adam Schneider (200 games), Justin Koschitzke (200 games)

Where and when:
Saturday August 31, 1.45pm
Etihad Stadium

Overview:
St Kilda's 46-point victory against Gold Coast rewarded weeks of consistent effort against highly fancied opponents. Numerous Saints shone, but Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna were undoubtedly the two dominant figures on the ground, followed by Stephen Milne and David Armitage.

The four-quarter performance will give St Kilda added confidence ahead of this weekend's mission. While Fremantle will present a stern test for the young Saints team, the retirements of Jason Blake, Stephen Milne and Justin Koschitzke will add extra weight to the clash.

Scott Watters' men led Freo by seven points at half-time the last time the two teams met, with Leigh Montagna the main orchestrator in the first half before the Dockers ran away 30-point winners.

It's no secret that Fremantle is committed to playing a defensive brand of football and this season it has been successful with a top-four finish now a certainty. Ross Lyon's men have conceded 1406 points this year and will probably finish as the second most miserly team of all time after the Saints team of 2009.

As a result, it's imperative that St Kilda set the tone early and kick straight. Allowing Fremantle to play its style of game and moving the ball slowly is a recipe for disaster.

Jack Steven's ability to break the lines and Farren Ray's willingness to find space on the outskirts will be crucial elements in this Saturday's game, as will Nick Riewoldt's aerial presence up forward.

Stat focus:

• Stephen Milne has booted 205 goals via snap shots since 2001, 101 more than any other player in that time. Steve Johnson is second, while Buddy Franklin is third.
• Jason Blake averages 15.4 disposals per game against Fremantle, his best return against any team he has played more than four matches against.
• Leigh Montagna is averaging 28.7 disposals per game this year, ranked fifth in the AFL and exactly the same average as he had in his All-Australian year of 2010.
• St Kilda has won eight of the last 10 contests against Fremantle but lost its last two.
• The Dockers have never won a game in Melbourne in the final home and away round of the season.
• David Armitage has laid 113 tackles this year at an impressive average of 5.7 per game, ranked 12th in the AFL.
• Stephen Milne has booted 355 goals at Etihad Stadium while Nick Riewoldt has kicked 344, ranked one and two on the all-time goal-kicking list at the venue.

Injury list:
St Kilda:
Sam Fisher (Toe) - Season
Daniel Markworth (Knee) - Season
Jackson Ferguson (Knee) - Season
Terry Milera (Ankle) - Season
Spencer White (Wrist) - Season
Rhys Stanley (Collarbone) - Season
Arryn Siposs (Shoulder) - Season
Tom Simpkin (Leg) - Season
James Gwilt (Knee) - Season
Jack Newnes (Shoulder) - Season

Fremantle:
Garrick Ibbotson (Achilles) - Test
Josh Simpson (Shoulder) - Test
Clancee Pearce (Calf) - Test
Aaron Sandilands (Cheek bone) - Test
Nick Suban (Hamstring) - 1 week
Luke McPharlin (Calf) - 1 week
Michael Walters (Knee) - 1 week
Max Duffy (Hamstring) - 3 weeks
Sam Menegola (Knee) - Season
Haiden Schloithe (Ankle) - Season
Anthony Morabito (Knee) - Season
Viv Michie (Knee) - Season
Tanner Smith (Shoulder) - Season
Jonathon Griffin (Knee) - Season
Kepler Bradley (Knee) - Season

Last week:
St Kilda 17.14 (116) defeated Gold Coast 10.10 (70)
Fremantle 14.12 (96) defeated Port Adelaide 16.17 (113)

What they say: (Fremantle's Tendai Mzungu)
Everywhere you go, people are talking finals, but I suppose the strength of the group is focussing on what's important. And what's important this week is St Kilda. So we'll concentrate and stay focused on what's important. 
It's obviously not ideal having injuries but I think they are all pretty short-term injuries. There is going to be that pressure and teams are going to be hunting us. It's good - I don't mind having that target on our back. We'll embrace it and look forward to the challenge.

What we say (St Kilda's Adam Schneider):

Milney is the greatest forward pocket I have ever played with or who you will ever see in the game. It (injuries) have been annoying, the last two years have been pretty frustrating. The most frustrating thing is watching the way the team's gone - we haven't been quite able to get that success on the field and I haven't been able to help.

These last couple of weeks to get back out there and realise that footy is pretty short and it goes really fast, you don't know whether you will ever play another game with Stephen Milne or Lenny Hayes, Nick Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke or Jason Blake - they are the kind of moments you sit back when you're out there and enjoy it.

Running hot:
St Kilda: Nick Riewoldt
Riewoldt played his best game for the season last weekend, taking 15 marks and booting four goals in amongst 26 disposals. The Saints skipper dominated from start to finish and will be committed to backing up this stellar performance with another strong effort against Fremantle this Saturday.

Fremantle: Hayden Ballantyne
Ballantyne has been in excellent form over the past two weeks, booting eight goals across both games. However his biggest haul for the year came against St Kilda in round 15 when the 26-year-old kicked five majors. Michael Walters and Ballantyne have rapidly become the AFL's most feared small forward duo, capable of hurting defenders on the scoreboard and also applying strong defensive pressure.
Walters won't make the trip to Melbourne, but Ballantyne remains a serious threat this Saturday.

Watch out for:
St Kilda: Adam Schneider
It's been a frustrating season for the clever half-forward. A lingering hamstring injury ruled Schneider out for the large majority of the year, but in the last three weeks he has improved with every game. Against the Suns he collected 22 disposals and booted a goal and is a potentially damaging player if he's allowed latitude forward of centre.

Fremantle : Matthew Pavlich
Pavlich is a four-time All-Australian and a five-time Fremantle best and fairest winner. After spending much of the season on the sidelines, the 31-year-old will be keen to continue his run of recent form into September. Like Ballantyne, the Dockers skipper has booted four goals in each of his last two games and appeared to be back to his best in Saturday night'

s win over Port Adelaide.

Last time they met:
Round 15, 2013 at Patersons Stadium.
St Kilda 11.4 (70) defeated by Fremantle 15.10 (100)
Disposals: Montagna (31), Fyfe (35)
Goals: Lee (3), Ballantyne (5)