Where and when:
Sunday August 10, 3.20pm
Etihad Stadium
Fox  

Overview:  
Three weeks ago St Kilda upset Fremantle in enthralling circumstances. A week’s break came at the worst time for the Saints and what followed against the Gold Coast was largely underwhelming despite some positive passages of play.

This weekend’s Lenny Hayes Tribute Game shapes as an emotive affair in which thousands of loyal fans will get the chance to say goodbye to their hero in his last match at Etihad Stadium.

Yet whether the Saints can replicate a Freo-like effort against the vastly-improved Bulldogs remains to be seen.

RELATED: Regular match day activities - Round 20

The likes of Jackson Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore exemplify the next wave of Dogs, and each youngster presents significant and unique threats to Alan Richardson and his men.

While the Western Bulldogs have showed promise in recent weeks, its win-loss ratio is only slightly better than the Saints with six victories for the season.

But as much as the Dogs will attempt to remain focused on Sunday, the match will be all about Lenny, and for this reason they face an uphill task trying to quell St Kilda’s drive and enthusiasm as the Dockers found out in round 18.

It’s been 15 months since these two teams met for premiership points, and with youth the focus for both clubs, this clash looms as a tightly contested one.


Thanks to HelpMeChoose.com.au for the infographic.

Did you know?
Jack Billings is yet to give away a free kick in his 15 AFL games.

RELATED: Billings' quirky record

Injury list:
St Kilda:
Sean Dempster (Concussion) – Test
Sam Gilbert (Foot) – Test
Blake Acres (Quad) - Test
Jarryn Geary (Elbow) – 1 week
Arryn Siposs (Shoulder) – Season
Tom Lee (Shoulder) – Season
Daniel Markworth (Hamstring) – Season
Eli Templeton (Arm) – Season
Beay Maister (Shoulder) – Retired
Jimmy Webster (Foot) – Season
Tom Hickey (Knee) – Season
Luke Dunstan (Shoulder) - Season

RELATED: Dunstan ruled out for the season

Western Bulldogs:
Daniel Pearce (Knee) – Available
Mitch Wallis (Foot) – Season
Clay Smith (Knee) – Season
Josh Prudden (Knee) – Season
Matthew Fuller (Shoulder) - Season

SCOUTING REPORT: Lenny Pass for Dogs coach

Last round:
St Kilda 9.10 (64) defeated by Gold Coast 17.15 (117)
Western Bulldogs 6.9 (45) defeated by Hawthorn 16.11 (107)

RELATED: All aboard the Lenny Express

Running hot:
St Kilda: Lenny Hayes
It’s hard to believe that in his 16th and final AFL season, Hayes’ form remains as consistent as ever.

Not only is the veteran leading the club for disposals, but he’s also laid more tackles this year than any other Saint.

In each of his last two matches he’s registered nine tackles and collected 24 disposals, and a similarly influential performance on Sunday will go a long way towards his team claiming four points.

Click HERE for all the latest Lenny Hayes news.

Western Bulldogs: Jackson Macrae  
31 games into what promises to be a long and illustrious career, Jackson Macrae is averaging over 27 disposals per outing this year, including a career-best 43 against the Suns in round 17.

In fact, He’s amassed 31 or more touches in each of the Dogs last three games.

Watch out for:
St Kilda: Rhys Stanley
The last time Stanley played at Etihad Stadium, he enjoyed the best game of his 54-match career.

While he was quieter last Saturday night, the 23-year-old showed glimpses of his precocious talent despite not having the same influence on the match.

RELATED: Stanley's dominance a matter of time

Western Bulldogs: Jake Stringer
Stringer’s five-goal haul against Essendon in round 18 and four majors versus Melbourne in round 15 demonstrate the vast array of talents the 20-year-old has at his disposal.

Although he’s had some less-productive games this year, Stringer is a much-improved player and is capable of tearing a contest apart.

Last time they met:
Round 9, 2013 at Etihad Stadium
St Kilda 15.11 (101) defeated by Western Bulldogs 17.8 (110)
Disposals: Armitage, Steven (27 each), Boyd (38)
Goals: Riewoldt (4), Addison (4)