ST KILDA defender Jarryn Geary says that his team will confront the Bombers with assurance on Saturday, and that they are just as driven as their unbeaten opponents to win.

“It’s round four,” he said. “We are one and two so we have just as much emotion to play for as them. I can’t imagine them coming out any harder than we are going to.”

While starting positively is crucial, Geary maintained that a four-quarter effort will be required to topple James Hird’s men.

“I turned [the Freo game] off at half time … That was last week, so hopefully this week we can do what Fremantle did in the first half and do that for the whole game,” he said

The 24-year-old is averaging 21 disposals per match this season and has become a pivotal member of the Saints defensive structure in recent years, finishing sixth in the 2012 best and fairest.

Against the Gold Coast, he collected a team-high 28 possessions including six tackles, statistics that reflect his two-pronged role, both as a rebounder and tight-marking defender.

“I’m not sure who I’ll get [this Saturday], whether it will be Leroy Jetta [who] might come into the team, or Alwyn Davey, or I might play on someone else down there,” he said.

“I’ll just be on the back of someone trying to defend and give us a bit of run as well.”

St Kilda has drawn on components of their win over Essendon in 2012 this week, determined to get the same result on Saturday.

“Obviously last year was really good,” Geary said.

“We’ve had a look at a few clips from last year on where we can get them again and we will take positives out of that … And get the job done this week.”

The Saints are prepared for a physical contest this weekend, and Geary is unperturbed about some of Essendon’s in-form players or ladder position, instead he’s committed to focussing on his own performance and getting the Saints across the line.

“Whoever pulls on that [Essendon] jumper, it doesn’t matter who it is … we will be fighting them,” he said.

Follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32