St Kilda Senior Assistant Coach Adam Kingsley says the Saints will spend some time focusing on AFLX ahead of its debut next month, but will use the hybrid competition as preparation for the real stuff.

AFLX will be played over one weekend in the middle of February, on a rectangle shaped field, with seven players on each side and three more on the bench.

St Kilda is in a pool with Carlton, Essendon, Hawthorn, Melbourne and North Melbourne.

Kingsley said the Saints won’t lose sight of their main focus over the pre-season but will look to represent the red, white and black strongly.

“We won’t focus on AFLX solely, it will be part of our preparation for Round 1,” Kingsley told the Inside St Kilda podcast.

“Obviously the home and away season is where we want to be winning games, so that’s our primary focus.

“But we have got somewhat of a focus on AFLX because every time you whack on a Saints jumper you want to perform well and make not only ourselves but our supporters proud. So that will be a focus as we progress through the pre-season.

“We are firmly focused on Round 1 against Brisbane; we want to get off to a good start and build some confidence early.”

68 days remain between now and when St Kilda commences their 2018 campaign against Brisbane at Etihad Stadium.