At 3-2 and on the back of successive victories for the first time in nearly five years, Melbourne is one of the more in-form sides in the competition. And for St Kilda Coach Alan Richardson, the opportunity for his up and coming side to face one of the competitions most improved sides presents a great challenge.

Led by ruckman Max Gawn and Jack Viney, two players who would feature prominently in most experts All Australian sides at this stage of proceedings, Melbourne has developed into one of the premier stoppages sides in the AFL and has become far more damaging on the scoreboard.

Friday Microscope: Round 6 v Melbourne

“They’re playing really good footy aren’t they? There’s no doubt they’ve improved. It’s a different Melbourne really and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” Richardson told reporters at a press conference on Friday.

“Gawn’s been in really good nick. Viney’s been in really good form. But collectively they’ve changed the way they play; they’re looking to move the ball a lot quicker. That’ll be a challenge for our defensive structure.”

The form of Gawn across the opening five rounds of the season has prompted some pundits to regard him as one of the most influential players in the competition given his ability to seemingly dictate the Demons' fortunes.

Ranked second according to Champion Data’s ruckman ratings - narrowly behind All Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein - Gawn presents an imposing task for Tom Hickey on Saturday.

Sole Hickey relishing ruck responsibility

Ahead of Saturday’s important battle within a battle, Richardson praised the improvement of his ruckman, who has thrived with the No. 1 duty, and said the duel will be one of many important encounters.

“That will be a good contest, there’s no doubt. That’s where the game starts – that’s contest again,” Richardson said.

“He’s [Gawn] been in good form, not only in terms of his hitouts but he’s been able to push forward and score a bit.

“Hickey’s in pretty good nick, we’re really pleased with the way Tom’s been playing. We think he’s improved and developing as a player.

“There’s a lot of really important contests and that’s one of them. We think Tom’s in good shape.”

Opposition Analysis: Melbourne

After being comprehensively beaten in contested and uncontested ball, and on the scoreboard against Greater Western Sydney last weekend, Richardson revealed the focus heading into the Melbourne game has been on intensity and pressure; two facets the Saints have prided themselves on for most of this season.

“It was pretty simple for us, our intensity and our pressure was off (against Greater Western Sydney),” Richardson said.

“The Collingwood game and the Hawthorn game were exactly the way we want to play – it was frustrating and disappointing not to get the result down in Tassie.

“But it was even more disappointing not to respond to that in a way that we’d want our team to respond after a loss.”

“We felt that the GWS performance was not the way we want to play. We weren’t aggressive at our attack on the man and we weren’t aggressive in the contest. So that’s something I’m looking for, I’m looking for our group to respond in those two areas.”

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