Riewoldt sidelined, but only a minor issue
St Kilda key forward Nick Riewoldt won’t face the Western Bulldogs due to a knee injury, but Alan Richardson told reporters on Friday it is only minor and with the bye coming next week, the timing was right. Riewoldt hyperextended his right knee in Round 1 in an incident that ended up being far less severe than first thought. He has been hampered by the issue at times in the first half of the season, but has still made a strong contribution kicking 17.4 – the most at St Kilda – from eight games. His most recent issue is related to his troublesome left knee, but given it is only bone bruising he is expected to return for the trip to Adelaide after the bye.
Out with the talls, in with the smalls
Both St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs have selected smaller, more dynamic forward setups for the weekend, with Riewoldt coming out for the Saints and Travis Cloke and Jack Redpath both dropped for the Dogs. After making a low-key return against Sydney last weekend, Paddy McCartin will be the focal point in attack, with mobile key forward Tim Membrey the other marking option. The Saints have chosen not to bring Josh Bruce back into the team, but Darren Minchington has been recalled to bolster an attack that includes smaller options in Jack Billings, Mav Weller, Jack Sinclair and Jade Gresham, who helped design the guernsey the Saints will wear on the weekend to commemorate Indigenous Round. Alan Richardson will be looking for a spread of scoring contribution against the Western Bulldogs’ elite defence, which is ranked No. 3 for points against (84.6 points) this season.
Stevens set to reacquaint himself with old mates
St Kilda’s improved midfield depth has squeezed Luke Dunstan out of the side for the second time in a matter of weeks, with the inclusion of Jack Steele and Koby Stevens shuffling the South Australian down the depth chart. Stevens will face his old side for the first time since crossing from the kennel during last October’s trade period after several injury-interrupted seasons. After further interruption at the start of the year, the 25-year-old midfielder has played three of the last four games – missing one through suspension – and has quickly emerged as a weapon on transition and a ball winner at the coal face. Stevens is averaging career-highs for disposals (25.7) and contested possessions (10.3), as well as 4.7 tackles and 3.7 clearances.
The pressure benchmark
St Kilda prides itself on applying pressure. But the Saints, like plenty of teams in the competition, are trying to emulate the Western Bulldogs’ high-pressure brand. Luke Beveridge’s side chased and harassed all the way to a premiership in 2016 and they have continued to be one of the best pressure sides in the game this season. After nine rounds, they are ranked No. 2 for pressure factor (1.845) and pressure points (812.5). Meanwhile, the Saints are No. 4 for pressure points (802.1) but slip to No. 11 for pressure factor (1.800). Off-season acquisition Jack Steele has led the way for the Saints with his pressure this season and is ranked No. 3 in the AFL for pressure points per 100 mins at 64.7 points. With both teams jammed in the middle of the ladder at 5-4, Saturday’s clash may well be an important one come the end of the season when the whips are cracking.
