A new chapter at Linton Street has begun following Alan Richardson’s resignation as senior coach.

After an emotional week, the Saints will hope to respond immediately by beginning their story on a high with a win over the Western Bulldogs.

Now with Brett Ratten at the helm, the Saints are eyeing off the Barker/Whitten Challenge Plate, named in honour of respective club legends Trevor Barker and E.J. Whitten, who were cruelly taken too soon.

READ: Alan Richardson departs

Ratten will become the 46th coach of the St Kilda Football Club and should he bag the four points on Sunday, will become just the 14th to win in his first outing in the head role.

But the Bulldogs have been in ominous form of late, winning four of their past five games, including an impressive victory over Geelong last fortnight.

Luke Beveridge’s young Dogs could be poised for a late finals berth should their form continue, with their exciting brand of football and blend of aggression and speed harkening back to their premiership year.

GAME DAY INFORMATION: St Kilda v Western Bulldogs

There have been many Bulldogs leading the charge, but the standout of late has been Josh Dunkley.

While his form to begin the year was notable, the 22-year-old forward-turned-midfielder has been nothing short of elite since the bye.

Last week’s match-winning display against Melbourne – and brother, Kyle – complete with 39 disposals, 15 tackles and two goals, highlighted his damaging tendencies and ability to tear a game wide open.


Josh Dunkley has taken the AFL world by storm this season.

Post-bye, Dunkley has averaged 34 disposals (17 contested), nine tackles and six clearances per game, with numbers like that likely seeing Jack Steele take to the youngster.

Dunkley has been complemented by Jack Macrae, who has been equally impressive through the midfield (35 disposals, seven tackles, four clearances since Round 13), while Lachie Hunter has dominated along the wings and racked up uncontested footy at will.

Patrick Lipinksi, meanwhile, has thrived following his move inside and self-imposed run in the reserves, despite having quieter outings in the past fortnight.

For the Saints, debutant Doulton Langlands will hope to make his imprint against a formidable midfield, with the 19-year-old hoping his strength from the contest, speed and grunt will match that of the Bulldogs’.

Brownlow contender and vice-captain Marcus Bontempelli is in doubt after injuring his ankle, while Tom Liberatore is touch and go for a return off the back of a knee injury.

But it's a diminutive dog who could pack the biggest punch.

Misjudging Caleb Daniel’s influence due to his height would be incredibly foolish, with the slight half-back a possibility to return after injuring his hamstring.

TREVOR BARKER LIVES ON: Sunday to mark 20th anniversary of Barker-Whitten Challenge Plate

Even after time on the sidelines, Daniel leads the Bulldogs for rebound-50s (86), intercepts (103) and defensive-half pressure acts (144).

Joining him will be new Dog Taylor Duryea, who racked up a career-high 31 disposals at 90% efficiency, providing plenty of drive both out of defence and into forward 50, while Hayden Crozier has rounded out the backline through his intercept marking (27).

Add in Jack Trengove, Matthew Suckling, Jason Johannisen and skipper Easton Wood, and the Bulldogs' defence will be hard to penetrate.


Skipper Easton Wood has been incredibly reliable down back across his 11 seasons.

Despite the wealth of experience, the Bulldogs rank 14th in the league for rebound-50s and are and sixth for points scored against.

Turning the Saints’ forward 50 into a pressure cooker through the likes of Jack Lonie will be crucial in crippling their opposition’s backline and pivotal in securing the four points.

The forward half arguably shapes as the Dogs’ most vulnerable area however, with its relative lack of games' experience comparative to other sides in the competition.

INJURY UPDATE: Round 18

That being said, the impact its key players have been able to bring throughout the course of the year has inverted expectation.

Sam Lloyd leads the club goalkicking with 27 majors and has booted multiple goals on 10 occasions, while Aaron Naughton’s aerial dominance seldom sees him drop a mark, with the youngster equal-first in the league for contested marks (35).

Josh Schache has kicked seven goals in his past four outings, and like Naughton, has been exceptionally clean in the air with 12 marks.

It’s a blank page for St Kilda this Sunday.

And it will be up to the boys in red, white and black to determine how it is written.