Do or die
While it doesn’t quite all come down to this, it’s a simple equation for both sides: Win and keep your season alive or lose and face another year without September. There is so much on the line at the MCG this weekend. Both sides opened their season against each other at Etihad Stadium, following one of the most anticipated build ups in recent memory. And after five months, the only thing that separates Simon Goodwin’s men from Alan Richardson’s is
One week less for Saint Nick
Just when we thought we would see retiring great Nick Riewoldt a few more times, one of those precious opportunities has been taken away from us. The champion forward, who announced his decision to retire at the end of this season at a press conference last week, copped a head knock from West Coast midfielder Dom Sheed late in last Sunday’s win in an act that helped inspire the Saints to victory. St Kilda football boss Jamie Cox said on Thursday night that the Saints hope Riewoldt will only miss one game before returning for the final fortnight of the home and away season. When the teams were lodged, veteran defender Sam Gilbert has overcome a hand injury and been named on the extended bench, along with Tom Hickey, Daniel McKenzie and Jack Lonie.
Inside the engine room
It’s not likely to be an old fashioned shootout. It’s far more likely to be an arm wrestle in the engine room. Despite being rated by Champion Data as the worst midfield in the game ahead of Round 1, the Demons have proven to be anything but and even one of the deeper
Inspired recruit notches up 150
When it comes to value for money, there hasn't been too many better acquisitions from last October than Nathan Brown. The 29-year-old full back has entrenched himself in St Kilda’s back six where he has significantly strengthened the Saints’ defence alongside Jake Carlisle. On Sunday afternoon, at the ground where he climbed the summit against his new team in 2010, the premiership defender reaches the 150-game milestone, adding 20 appearances in red, white and black to the 130 he played at Collingwood. Brown has played every game in his first year at Linen House Centre and has barely played a bad game. Aside from Josh Kennedy and Lance Franklin, who