St Kilda vs Hawthorn
Where and when:
Saturday May 3, 1.45pm (AEST)
MCG
Fox Footy (live)
Channel 7 (delayed)

RELATED: Match day information 

Overview:
St Kilda faces a considerable challenge this week against the Hawks who are the reigning premiers and arguably the most damaging team in the competition.

Making the task even more daunting is the string of injuries the Saints have endured over the past fortnight, with Sam Gilbert, Nathan Wright and now Eli Templeton all facing extended spells on the sidelines.

RELATED: Templeton undergoes surgery 

Aside from one loss to Geelong, Hawthorn has picked up where they left off in 2013 and firm as a top-two finisher this year.

Its defensive structure has great balance, while its midfield and forward-line has a plethora of prolific ball-winners and potential match winners.

In many ways, St Kilda has nothing to lose on Saturday afternoon. As the underdogs, Alan Richardson’s men will go into the game with a distinctly different feel to the one they approached last week’s loss to Brisbane with. As favourites, the Saints made a slow start and paid for it with a loss.

One thing’s for sure: Richardson will be imploring his young team to hit the ground running in the first term against Alistair Clarkson’s troops.

If St Kilda is to have any chance of a win, then experienced quartet Leigh Montagna, Lenny Hayes, Nick Riewoldt and Sean Dempster will have to play outstanding games.

This looms as a pivotal acid test for the Saints, but not an unachievable mountain to climb. 

RELATED: Rising leader reaches a ton 

Stat focus:
- The Hawks are ranked second for uncontested possessions this year, averaging 260 per game.
- St Kilda is not far behind, ranked sixth at 229 per match.
- The two teams have played just 11 times at the MCG, and Hawthorn has won eight of these clashes.
- Amazingly, Hawthorn has laid less tackles than any other team.
- Nick Riewoldt is ranked fourth for marks inside forward 50 and second for total marks in 2014
- Farren Ray is ranked equal sixth in the AFL for total kicks.
- Grant Birchall and Sam Mitchell are both averaging over 20 uncontested disposals per game and are ranked fourth and fifth in this category in the AFL respectively.


Injury list:
St Kilda:
Lewis Pierce (back) – 2 weeks
Sam Gilbert (foot) – 9-10 weeks
Nathan Wright (leg) – 10-12 weeks
David Armitage (leg) – 3-4 weeks
Eli Templeton (arm) – 3-4 months

RELATED: In the mix: Round 7 

Hawthorn:
Jed Anderson (shoulder) – indefinite
Brad Sewell (hamstring) – 2 weeks
Liam Shiels (shoulder) – 2 weeks
Matthew Spangher (ankle) – 2 weeks
Brendan Whitecross (knee) – indefinite


Last week:
St Kilda 11.13 (79) defeated by Brisbane 12.10 (82)
Hawthorn 18.10 (118) defeated Richmond 7.10 (52)


What we say (St Kilda coach Alan Richardson):
There’s no doubt it’s going to be a challenge; I understand that we were not great last week and we were pretty good the week before.

One thing this group has done already is that we had a really disappointing game against the Crows (in round four) and responded really well against the Bombers the week after.

I’d be surprised if we didn’t respond in a really positive way in terms of our energy and effort, particularly early in the game against the Hawks.

RELATED: Saints intent on bouncing back 

What they say (Hawthorn forward Jordan Lewis):
We had a hiccup against Geelong last week but it was a really good game to take stock and see where we’re at.

Last week was a really big learning curve for us, we’ve changed a few things and we applied those on the weekend against Richmond and they worked, but we need to see if they work over three or four weeks.

RELATED: Scouting report: Lewis celebrates game 200 

Running hot:
St Kilda: Lenny Hayes
Lenny Hayes has gathered over 30 disposals in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2010 and remains an integral part of St Kilda’s midfield.

Despite his age, the ball-winner continues to show great strength in the clinches and will be an important player on Saturday afternoon once again. 


Hawthorn: Sam Mitchell
Sam Mitchell’s 35-disposal performance in his 250th game last Sunday was yet another reminder of how prolific the former skipper is. 

His kicking ability on both feet, coupled with a somewhat freakish knack of finding space in tight confines, makes him a considerable threat for any opposition.

Tom Curren spent about 45 minutes on the veteran last year, and will likely tag Mitchell again on Saturday.

RELATED: VFL player breakdown 

Watch out for:
St Kilda: Jack Steven
Steven is getting better and better by the week, finishing with 31 disposals, six clearances and six inside 50s in last Friday’s loss to Brisbane. 

At his best, the 2013 best and fairest winner is prolific and damaging, and his dash and ball-winning abilities will be relied upon against the Hawks on Saturday.

Hawthorn: Jack Gunston
The creative forward has booted 15 goals this season and after 62 AFL games, looks to be entering his best years.

While he doesn’t have the strength of Jarryd Roughead or the high marking abilities of Nick Riewoldt, Gunston is strong on the lead and is capable of playing tall and small.

Last time they met:
Round 20, 2013 at Etihad Stadium
St Kilda 7.14 (56) defeated by Hawthorn 14.18 (102)
Disposals: Montagna (35), Shane Savage (30)
Goals: Schneider (3), Roughead (5)