Started from the bottom now they are here

It’s hard to believe Sydney started the season 0-6. Having won nine of their last 10 games – their only loss was by a kick to Hawthorn – the Swans are now inside the eight and loom large as one of the premiership contenders. They have built momentum by the week and reach Saturday night on the back of an impressive win over cross-town rival Greater Western Sydney. John Longmire’s team have proven to be an almighty task for St Kilda in recent times. The Saints haven’t departed with premiership points since Round 9, 2012, with the Swans winning the last seven encounters, including the last five by an average margin of 69 points. St Kilda hasn’t won at the SCG since 2009, where the Swans have won four of five games this year, with their only loss coming against the Hawks.

Saints unveil elevated rookie

A week after Josh Battle ran out in the red, white and black for the first time, St Kilda will unveil another new face at the SCG on Saturday night. After being elevated off the rookie list last week, mature-age recruit Rowan Marshall will take the next step this weekend. Overlooked in three drafts before St Kilda came calling at last year’s Rookie Draft, the Portland recruit has quickly made an impact in his first season at Linen House Centre. The 202cm key forward-ruckman has provided a focal point in attack at Beach Rd this season and will be asked to do the same against one of the tightest defences in the competition. With Paddy McCartin still sidelined with concussion and Tim Membrey serving the last week of his suspension, Marshall gets his chance in the harbour city.

Buddy big test set for big Brown

Nathan Brown was lured to Linen House Centre for games like this. For years, St Kilda leant on undersized defenders to play out of their weight division. Sam Fisher did it and so did Sean Dempster. But now with the premiership Magpie and former Bomber Jake Carlisle, Alan Richardson has two key defenders to combat opposition monsters. And they will face a monster forward in three-time Coleman medallist and six-time All-Australian Lance Franklin. Brown spent all 109 minutes on Franklin back in Round 9 and got the job done for the first three quarters despite Sydney’s dominance. Although Franklin filled his boots late, with three last quarter goals bringing his total for the day to four. The dual premiership Hawk leads the Coleman Medal again this season with 47 majors, two ahead of Essendon young gun Joe Daniher and six in front of Adelaide pair Eddie Betts and Taylor Walker. Can Brown quell the Bondi superstar?

Can the engine room respond against one of the best?

After being shown up by Essendon’s engine room last week, Sydney presents an even bigger task for St Kilda’s midfield this week. In Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery and Luke Parker, the Swans have three reigning All-Australians and one of the best midfield combinations in the land. Alan Richardson has adjusted accordingly at the selection table for the Swans contested animals, recalling inside midfielder Luke Dunstan and the big-bodied Blake Acres, along with ruckman Billy Longer, who has overcome a hamstring strain. With the inclusion of defender Jimmy Webster, who has served his two-week suspension, the Saints have brought in a hard edge for the trip to New South Wales.