Another week, another crucial game

On the eve of Round 15, only one game separates seventh and 12^th. Two teams inside that logjam are St Kilda and Fremantle. In a year where everything is tight, every game is crucial, but games between sides fighting for a finals berth are even more important. St Kilda may have rediscovered some form across the last fortnight, but with a difficult run to come – four games against teams above them in the next six weeks – Sunday looms as a crunch game in the context of their season. The Saints have struggled at Subiaco in recent times, but then again, most have. Despite not winning their last six fixtures in Perth, five of those losses have come against West Coast, and in their most recent visit, St Kilda led from the start to late in the final quarter, so they should take belief from that performance in Round 2.

Record within reach for Saint Nick

Nick Riewoldt’s list accolades is long, very long. He has the most Trevor Barker Awards in the clubs history, with six to his name. He has been named in the All-Australian team five times. He is the longest serving captain in St Kilda’s history, and the third longest serving in the game’s history. He has won the coveted Leigh Matthews Trophy, kicked over 700 goals and stamped himself as arguably the best No. 1 pick ever. On Sunday, he might add another accolade to the list. And while he won’t receive a medal or trophy or anything in particular, he will surpass one of the all-time greats. The 34-year-old needs nine more marks to surpass 1975 Brownlow medallist Gary Dempsey’s record of 2906. To put that figure into perspective, no other current player is within 1000 of that figure. Don’t expect there to be too much fanfare, but it is a significant milestone for a player who will forever be remembered for his courageous grabs and the marks he took on the back of 100 metre leads.

Dangerous Dockers duo in the focus

After hamstring surgery early in the year, 2014 All-Australian Hayden Ballantyne made his first appearance of the season in Geelong last Sunday and made an immediate impact, kicking two goals, giving off two others and collecting 14 disposals. In the absence of the small forward this season, three-time Dockers leading goal kicker Michael Walters has added another string to his bow and proven to be a damaging asset through bursts in the middle of the ground. This dangerous pair are set to be an important threat forward of centre for Ross Lyon’s side and two Alan Richardson and the coaching staff would have put plenty of time into this week. Jarryn Geary has been handed the job on Walters in the last two encounters where has held the livewire goalless, as well as spending time on Ballantyne. Expect the skipper to play another important role on one or both of them. Jimmy Webster is another option for the Saints, especially given his form this season.

Two Jacks on the rise

Things have changed for a pair of Jacks in the last couple of months. Billings has emerged as one of the best young talents in the game, flaunting the reasons why St Kilda banked their precious No. 3 pick on him nearly four years ago. While Jack of the Sinclair variety has grasped a spot on a wing and tightened his grip by the week. Given where Billings was drafted and who was around him, comparisons will follow him for the duration of his career. But it might one day be the Hodge, Ball, Judd debate. The 21-year-old was a clear best on ground last week and earned a perfect 10 votes from the coaches. He has averaged 25.2 possessions, 4.7 inside 50s and kicked 10 goals in the last six weeks. Meanwhile, Sinclair has played every game since being recalled in Round 6. Since then, he has averaged 20.3 possessions per week and thrived on a wing.