Love will be in the air at the third annual Pride Game, but there will be none lost between St Kilda and Sydney when they take to Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
While Alan Richardson’s men have shown improvement in the past two weeks, they will need to be at their absolute best to bring down the Swans who have not lost to the Saints since 2012.
A battle of the half-backs
A pivotal battle looms on the half-back line, with Jimmy Webster in career-best form up against a Swans pair of Dane Rampe and Jake Lloyd.
Sydney’s defence has been paramount in 2018, with Rampe shutting down key opposition forwards and Lloyd prolific with his run and carry off half back.
Lloyd averages 27 possessions per game this season and is key to launching the Swans into attack.
In turn, Webster is averaging 25 disposals and seven rebound 50s per game.
Whichever rebounding half-back has the greater influence could decide the match.
Brown vs Buddy
Contrary to their stature, Sydney’s smalls have been huge on the scoreboard, with Will Hayward and Ben Ronke booting 31 goals between them.
But the most threatening Swan remains powerhouse Lance Franklin, whose 25 goals in eight matches confirm that he’s still the go-to man in attack.
Negating the four-time Coleman medallist’s influence will put St Kilda’s young defence to the test, but the task could be made easier should experienced key defender Nathan Brown make his return.
St Kilda’s forwards have found their range in the past two weeks, with Jade Gresham and Tim Membrey both finding a way through the seemingly impenetrable defences of Richmond and West Coast.
Midfield menace
Stopping the Swans’ midfield stars, including Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker, will also be at the top of Richardson’s priority list.
Their grunt and combined 112 tackles has driven Sydney’s engine room, with Parker leading the way with 62.
The 25-year-old is in contention for his second All-Australian nomination at the mid-way point of the season, with 13 goals and an average of 23 disposals and six clearances per game.
Seb Ross was back to his best last week against the Eagles in Perth and was well supported in the midfield by young wingman Jack Sinclair.
With a host of injuries to key players, the Saints' midfield will need to step up against the Swans.
