Here we go
Finally, the wait is nearly over. By tomorrow afternoon, 209 days will have passed since St Kilda last played for premiership points. A day where Nick Riewoldt put on a clinic to dominate Brisbane. Since that time, expectations have risen at Linen House Centre. Could 2017 be the year the Saints return to September for the first time since 2011? It all starts at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon against a side that has climbed an almost identical mountain in the last three years. With many pundits predicting that St Kilda and Melbourne will jostle for a finals berth this season, the season opener could be considered an eight-point game later in the year when the whips are cracking and the fight for spots is extra tight.
Can St Kilda keep their winning streak alive?
The last time Melbourne beat St Kilda was in an elimination final in 2006. Demons co-captain Nathan Jones was playing in just his seventh game, while Nick Riewoldt was the only other player who is playing on Saturday that was out there that day. Since then, the Saints have woven together 14 consecutive wins to dominate the rivalry over more than a decade. Melbourne’s poor record at Etihad Stadium extends beyond encounters with the Saints. Simon Goodwin’s side has won only once in their last 25 games at the Docklands venue. Meanwhile, St Kilda has won eight of their last ten games at Etihad Stadium, including a stretch of seven on the trot in the middle stage of last season.
After 566 days Carlisle returns to the fold
St Kilda supporters have had to wait longer than first thought, but finally, the time is nigh. Marquee recruit Jake Carlisle will run out for the first time in red, white and black, joining another new key recruit in Nathan Brown in a new look defence. Carlisle’s absence from football has been well documented, but after an encouraging JLT Community Series, the former Essendon centre-half back appears well placed to make a strong start to his career at the Saints. The 25-year-old played in all three games of the pre-season, where he blew out some of the cobwebs against Port Adelaide’s Paddy Ryder, before opposing Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett in the final hitout. After 566 days between appearances at AFL level, the sight of the key defender will buoy the Saints faithful who have become accustomed to undersized defenders manning powerhouse forwards. And don’t forget Jesse Hogan booted seven goals against St Kilda last year. Watch this space.
Steele of the year?
Along with Carlisle and Brown, St Kilda will unveil another recruit this weekend in former Greater Western Sydney midfielder Jack Steele. After being starved of opportunity in the harbour city, the Canberra native headed south for greener pastures. He arrived at Linen House Centre with his foot in a moon boot following a foot injury during the NEAFL finals series. But after a delayed start to his pre-season, he has clawed his way up the charts since the turn of the new year. He showed glimpses in the intra-club and in the first JLT game before exploding against Carlton. Then, he followed it up with another dazzling performance against Sydney in Albury. His NEAFL stats are part of the folklore north of the border, but he has quickly flapped his wings in red, white and black. The inside bull averaged 26.5 possessions (11.5 contested) and 10 tackles in his two full appearances in the pre-season, as well as averaging more pressure points (46.4) than any other Saint in the JLT series. Time will tell, but already he looms as another shrewd list management decision.
Gawn encounter another big test for Hickey
Just like at every club at this time of year, debate rages on who is most suitable in certain positions. At St Kilda, the match committee deliberated long and hard on who would ruck against Melbourne. Tom Hickey grasped the No. 1 mantle in 2016, 12 months after Billy Longer wrapped his hands around the responsibility. With All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn waiting at the other end of the centre circle on Saturday, Hickey has been handed the first opportunity to make the role his own in 2017. While Gawn presents an enormous challenge for every ruckman in the competition, Hickey included, the Queenslander has a strong record against the imposing Demons star. In two encounters last season, both at Etihad Stadium, the emerging Saints star halved or won the contest, lowering Gawn’s colours in a year where the bearded beast didn’t lose too many duels. Hickey enters 2017 in form after a dominant display against the Swans, but he will be feeling Longer and the chasing pack breathing down his neck.
