Gresham grabs opening round debut after impressive pre-season

St Kilda’s first pick from last year’s National Draft (pick No. 18), Jade Gresham, has earned a Round 1 debut following an eye-catching start to his time at Linen House Centre. The ball-magnet played in both of the Saints’ NAB Challenge games and despite playing limited game time in both encounters, Gresham’s ball winning ability and clean use has seen him command a spot in Alan Richardson’s Round 1 side. The Northern Knights product is likely to spend the bulk of his maiden AFL appearance playing as a small forward, with his pressure inside 50 one of the cornerstones of his game.

Powerhouse forward Dixon and his first afternoon

Sam Fisher and the St Kilda defence have an enthralling assignment first up inside the epicentre of South Australian sport. Former Gold Coast Suns powerhouse forward Charlie Dixon is set for his first game in teal and looms as a difficult match up for Fisher. Richardson and the Saints will be seeking to limit the amount of pure one-on-one contests, with a team defence approach the key to quelling the influence of the 202cm goliath who has the ability to kick big bags. In 16 games last season Dixon booted 41.15, including a seven-goal haul against North Melbourne and six against Brisbane.

 

Saint Joey set for game No. 250

The build up to the opening game of the season is always big, always. But this year’s Round 1 holds even more significance for the Saints, with club great Leigh Montagna bursting through the 250 game barrier on Sunday at Adelaide Oval. The 32-year-old becomes only the 12th player in St Kilda’s history  to reach the milestone. A dual All Australian and one of the most consistent performers in the competition across the last decade, Montagna isn’t showing any signs of slowing down in old age. In fact, his average of 28.6 possessions in 2015 was the third highest of his career. Plenty more in the tank Joey? One would think so.

Power engine room depth a big test for young Saints

St Kilda has focused on fast tracking the development of many of its young, emerging midfielders in the last 12 months, with Richardson desperate to find support for the more experienced leaders in the engine room: David Armitage, Jack Steven and Montagna. And with Port Adelaide batting extremely deep in the middle of the ground, it has been opponents like this the Saints have been building its midfield depth for. The Power possess one of the premier onball units in the AFL, led by dual All Australian Travis Boak and a swag of recently re-committed stars in Robbie Ollie Wines, Hamish Hartlett, Chad Wingard, as well as Brad Ebert and Jared Polec. Talk about a collection of class. And talk about a difficult test first up.

Welcome back Jack, we’ve missed your class

When it comes to class, there is no one classier at St Kilda than Jack Billings. Following an injury ravaged 2015 campaign, with a stress fracture in his shin limiting him to just nine games, Billings’ appears to be desperate to make up for a wasted year. His three goals in five minutes against Melbourne in the NAB Challenge emphasised his nous around goal and his ability to convert. Given his polished ball use and St Kilda’s need to improve their final kick inside 50, it will be intriguing to see where exactly the No. 3 pick plays against the Power. Whether he plays higher up the ground or closer to goal, his return to AFL football provides the Saints scoring ability with an emphatic boost. Look for him inside the arc, working alongside Jack Lonie at the feet of Josh Bruce and Nick Riewoldt.

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