Sam Fisher’s selection is largely dependent on how the defender trains on Thursday afternoon, according to St Kilda coach Alan Richardson.

RELATED: Preview: St Kilda vs Brisbane 

Speaking at a joint captain/coach press conference alongside Jed Adcock and Justin Leppitsch this morning, Richardson admitted that the 31-year-old pulled up “a little bit tight” following comeback game in the VFL last weekend and the subsequent flight to Wellington.

“Yeah, he’s a chanceg [to play],” Richardson said.

“We have a training session this afternoon and certainly on the flight over we were pretty optimistic. But he’s pulled up a little bit stiff, so we will give him every opportunity because he’s a great player.

“We just have to see how he pulls up after the session today.”
St Kilda will be forced to make at least one change from the team that defeated Essendon last Saturday night by 16 points, with Adam Schneider suspended for striking.

RELATED: One week ban for Schneider 

Richardson raised a number of selection possibilities, and suggested that a young midfielder could be given a greater role after a string of excellent performances in the VFL.

“Seb Ross was our sub last week so we are a chance to bring him into the game in a more meaningful way,” he said.

“We bought over Trent Dennis-Lane and Shane Savage so we are certainly thinking that way. But it also depends on what happens with Fisher so we have a couple of options… We’ll just wait and see.”

RELATED: VFL player breakdown 

And despite all the fanfare and praise surrounding last week’s victory, coupled with the added responsibilities that are associated with playing in New Zealand, Richardson and Riewoldt don’t expect the Saints to get ahead of themselves on Anzac Day.

“We need to prepare really well because [ultimately] we are playing a game of footy,” the first-year coach said.

“Last week was a real positive for us and it would be disappointing, because of other things going on, if we dropped the ball [this Friday].”

Riewoldt agreed:

“We know our game is based on effort and a strong defensive performance and this week will be no different,” he said.

The Saints skipper has been in superb form this year, booting 17 goals including a bag of five against the Bombers. Last year Riewoldt collected 27 disposals against the Swans and relished the smaller playing arena, meaning he could get to even more contests around the ground.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Joe Patfull and big Sauce Merrett, so this week is going to be a really big challenge. Last week was last week and this week is this week,” Riewoldt said.

“The ground is a little bit smaller, so it’s is probably SCG-like from that point of view. Last year the conditions were a little bit tricky and greasy.”

Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch joked that Riewoldt has been “unbelievable for an old man,” and acknowledged the Lions will have their hands full trying to contain the 264-game veteran.

“It’s very impressive for a guy of his age… We have a number of options there [to play on him].”