Whichever team wins is likely to finish ninth, unless Essendon trounces Collingwood by a substantial margin.
Predictably, Scott Watters and Ratten have emphasised youth in recent times. Key forward Luke Mitchell is set to debut this Sunday for the Blues after overcoming career threatening shoulder injuries. While nine players for St Kilda last week had played 20 games or less.
Form-wise, St Kilda was ruthless in its demolition of the GIANTS in Round 22. Stephen Milne booted five first half goals and, after committing to the Saints 2013 campaign this week, the veteran will be intent on delivering a similar performance on Sunday.
Contrastingly, Carlton’s week has been tumultuous at best. A two goal loss to Gold Coast spelled the end for Brett Ratten and the Blues’ finals hopes. A fortnight ago, they demolished an undermanned Essendon outfit by a whopping 96 points and, like St Kilda, will be committed to finishing an up-and-down 2012 season on a good note.
Both teams have won three of their past five games, while the Saints have conceded just seven fewer points this season than Carlton, further highlighting the similarities between the two sides.
STAT FOCUS
1. Starting strong
St Kilda has won 14 first quarters this season. Only Sydney (15) has taken a lead more regularly into the first break. Comparatively, Carlton has won just eight first terms for the season, the same amount as Melbourne.
If the Saints get into their groove early, it may be difficult for Carlton to claw their way back into the contest given St Kilda’s excellent record at Etihad Stadium in recent times.
2. The rucking duel
Astonishingly, the Saints have 14 players that will take the field on Sunday who have registered at least one hit-out this season. By comparison, Carlton has just seven.
Matthew Kreuzer has shouldered the brunt of the ruck-work in 2012 for the Blues, averaging 21.4 hitouts per match, as well as kicking ten goals for the year in 19 games. Ben McEvoy has only played 15 matches, yet has registered just 23 fewer hitouts than his Carlton counterpart.
In Round 7 Kreuzer racked up 29 hit-outs and had 16 touches, albeit in a losing cause. Crucially however, McEvoy did not play that evening and his battle with Kreuzer will be a vital sub-plot this Sunday.
3. Milne’s magic
Stephen Milne has booted more goals against Carlton than he has against any other team in his career (47). Averaging 2.9 majors per game, the 32 year old has been in electrifying form this season, kicking three or more goals in six of his last eight games.
When the Saints and the Blues last met, Aaron Joseph minded Milne until he was subbed off in the third term. With Joseph not playing, the defender who gets the job will have a difficult task on his hands.
Milne has never kicked more than 57 goals in a season. He currently sits on 55 and is five off the Coleman Medal pace.
4. The history
St Kilda has won 14 of its past 16 games against Carlton. In Round 7, 2010, Carlton defeated St Kilda by 61 points at Etihad Stadium.
In Round 7 the following year at the same venue, Carlton proved marginally too good again, overcoming a gallant Saints outfit by just three points.
However, St Kilda has been victorious in their last two encounters with Milne dominant on both occasions.
5. Player to watch: Sean Dempster
Coming off a career-best 29 possession game against GWS last Saturday, Dempster will more than likely find himself on Carlton’s answer to Stephen Milne - Eddie Betts.
Dempster consistently illustrates his flexibility in defence, playing on forwards of any height with aplomb. At 191 centimetres, he is 18 centimetres taller than Betts and as a result will be intent on utilising his marking ability to supreme advantage.
One of the most underrated players in the competition, despite playing in five Grand Finals (2 for Sydney, 3 for St Kilda), Dempster is firming for his first Trevor Barker Medal this year.
In 2011 he was awarded the Robert Harvey Most Professional Player award, and his dedication to the task on a weekly basis will see him feature prominently in All-Australian speculation in the next month as well.
WHAT CARLTON SAYS
Brett Ratten on deciding to coach this weekend:
“Why hide? Why run away? If you want to be a leader of any organisation you have to deal sometimes with hard situations and I want to coach this out.”
“I started this year and I want to finish the year … because that is my role and I am not hiding from one thing. I don’t need to hide.”
“I need to finish the year and do the job that I was here and put in place to do. I will maintain that and honour that … I love the club.”
LAST TIME THEY MET
Round 7, 2012 - Etihad Stadium
St Kilda 19.8 (122) defeated Carlton 14.14 (98)
LEADING POSSESSION WINNERS:
Chris Judd (29)
Farren Ray (27)
Brendan Goddard & Leigh Montagna (24)
LEADING GOAL KICKERS:
Stephen Milne (4)
Terry Milera & David Ellard (3)
MISCELLANEOUS MENTION
St Kilda Football Club has been buoyed this week by the news that five of its most crucial players have resigned.
Sam Gilbert and Arryn Siposs have both penned new three year deals. Leigh Montagna has signed a two year contract, and veterans Lenny Hayes and Stephen Milne have signed on for another season.
This follows Sam Fisher, Ben McEvoy, James Gwilt, Rhys Stanley and Jarryn Geary all re-signing earlier in 2012.
Securing the Saints current and future stars has never been more important than now, with the introduction of free agency set to change the landscape.
