Moving day?

St Kilda has the opportunity to win three games in succession for the first time under Alan Richardson’s watch in Queensland on Saturday. After impressive wins over Carlton and Geelong either side of the bye, the Saints can also eclipse their 2015 tally of six and half wins if they beat the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium. On the back of poor recent performances on the road, which Richardson referred to as embarrassing at his press conference this morning, St Kilda travels to the sunshine state looking to arrest their form on the road. The quality of Adelaide and West Coast must be taken into account, especially given the fact that only three sides have won against top-eight sides away from home this year from 42 occasions. But, it was the manner of those losses that stung the most. St Kilda has the opportunity to move forward in many ways on Saturday.

Superstar Lynch a big task for depleted back six

While it has taken some time for the wider football sphere to catch on about Gold Coast star Tom Lynch, there is now no escaping his brilliance. The Suns vice-captain has backed up his best and fairest winning season last year with an even better first half of 2016 to rocket into All Australian calculations and into the upper echelon of key forwards in the game. He monstered Hawthorn’s James Frawley last week and did the same to dual All Australian Alex Rance before the bye. With no Sam Fisher and no Sean Dempster, Luke Delaney is most likely to man the red-hot Sun. In a similar manner to last week against Geelong, the Saints will want to limit the one-on-one contests. But with Gold Coast also boasting ‘Two-metre Peter’ Wright inside 50 and athletic swingman Sam Day, the Saints back six will have their work cut out.

Excitement machine returns after VFL stint

Livewire small forward Jack Lonie has been recalled for his senior game since being dropped after the Saints extremely poor effort at Domain Stadium in Round 8. The excitement machine has knocked the door down for another chance on the back of a couple of dazzling performances at Sandringham. As the carryover emergency, Lonie didn’t play at any level last weekend, but before that he kicked five goals against Essendon and prior to that he collected 29 touches and booted four goals in the Zebras win over Werribee. With Nathan Wright missing this week after injuring his shoulder, the Seaford product receives an opportunity to reignite his season across the back part of the season. The one other change to this weekend’s side was the inclusion of key defender Tom Lee who replaces injured rebounding defender Jimmy Webster.

Dangerfield one week, Ablett the next

A week after nullifying the influence of Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield, the task doesn’t get any easier for St Kilda’s engine room this weekend, with dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett waiting. The Gold Coast captain produced one of his best performances last Sunday since returning from a highly scrutinised shoulder reconstruction. In a vintage effort, Ablett accumulated 40 disposals against Hawthorn, to go with 25 contested possessions and 15 clearances. Phenomenal numbers in anyone’s language. Not that St Kilda will be quivering, given the recent form of emerging gun midfielder Seb Ross and reigning Trevor Barker Award winner Jack Steven, amongst others in the Saints midfield. Ross’ 2016 has been exceptional thus far, with the 23-year-old quickly becoming one of the most improved players in the game. Following his performance last Saturday night, the 50-gamer received ten votes from the coaches in another best on ground effort. And Steven, well he is on track for a third best and fairest, there’s not much more to say is there?

Bruce just going about his business again

While plenty of attention in the forward half of the ground has focused on the improvement of Paddy McCartin, the rise of Tim Membrey, and the emergence of Rising Star nominee Jade Gresham, Josh Bruce has gone about his business quietly. He is roughly on track for another half century, like his 50.24 breakout effort last season, but he will want a handful of goals to propel him forward in the second half of the year. In this fixture last year, the former GWS Giants defender kicked six goals on Rory Thompson to spark a goal scoring spree in the first half of the season. So with that fond memory in mind, Bruce returns to Metricon Stadium poised to strike against the Suns.

Limited Edition History Book: Celebrating 50 Years 1966-2016 The Archives Edition