1. Four stars set to light up Sir Doug Nicholls Round
With Ben Long a chance to return against the Blues, wearing a jumper designed by his own family, the Saints are set to unleash four highly-talented indigenous players for the first time.
Robbie Young showcased his supreme speed in Round 9, joining fellow mature-age recruit Matty Parker in a forward line jam-packed with X-factor.
Add to that the talents of Jade Gresham, and the Saints will be as proud as any team to wear their new indigenous jumpers in the annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
2. The roof!
Forget the weather forecast, it will be warm and dry at Marvel Stadium, with perfect playing conditions guaranteed.
3. King and Co.
The Sandringham Zebras, flush with St Kilda-listed talent, will take on the Northern Blues at Marvel Stadium at 11.50am this Sunday prior to the AFL fixture.
Be there to a catch a glimpse of the future with Max King starting out of the goal square for the Zebras.
King has played the past two games at VFL after a knee reconstruction, giving Saints fans a taste of what the Number 4 draft pick will offer in the years to come.
4. Kick to Kick
Be part of an amazing tradition by stepping out on the ground after the final siren for a kick with your mates or your kids!
5. Kids in free
What better way to spend your Sunday than at the footy with your family! Kids go free with any adult General Admission ticket.
6. Celebrate Indigenous influence
A special smoking ceremony will take place prior to the first bounce to celebrate Australian indigenous history and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders, past, present and emerging.
7. A win means everything
With the Saints sitting behind on the ledger for the first time this season, the importance of a win over the Blues can’t be underestimated.
Fresh off a thrashing at the hands of the Giants, the Blues will be out to make a statement. And the Saints need to make one of their own.
8. An unheralded back six
The Saints may have lost four in a row, but an undermanned back-six continue to step up.
With Jake Carlisle, Jarryn Geary, Dylan Roberton and now Jimmy Wesbter injured, the Saints have turned to the likes of Josh Battle and Callum Wilkie to fill the void.
With Shane Savage and Dan McKenzie stepping up, and Johnathon Marsh earning his opportunity, the Saints’ unheralded back six will need to be at their best to bring down the Blues.
9. Rowan Marshall
There is nothing like watching a player emerge before our very eyes. The former rookie took it right up to Brodie Grundy last week and continues to impress as a mobile ruckman who can go forward and take a grab.
10. Home sweet home
The Saints’ clash against the Blues will be the last chance for Victorian fans to see the team in action live for a few weeks with a trip to Shanghai to follow before the mid-season bye and then a clash with the Suns in Townsville.
