We take a look at all the numbers as St Kilda prepares to plays it’s first game at Blundstone Arena against North Melbourne on Saturday.

Head-to-Head

Played 151

North Melbourne 73

St Kilda 76

Draws 2

 

LAST FIVE TIMES
R10, 2013, North Melbourne 19.19 (133) d St Kilda 10.5 (65) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2012, North Melbourne 21.10 (136) d St Kilda 15.13 (103) at Etihad Stadium
R23, 2011, St Kilda 19.21 (135) d North Melbourne 10.10 (70) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2011, St Kilda 12.7 (79) d North Melbourne 10.10 (70) at Etihad Stadium
R20, 2010, St Kilda 17.13 (115) d North Melbourne 9.9 (63) at Etihad Stadium

 

Key Players

• After being one of the best in his 100th game last week, David Armitage will look to continue on from a solid month’s football after returning from injury to finish the season off strongly. Armitage’s last four games against North Melbourne have seen him collect an average of 18 disposals and 5.5 tackles, a number both Alan Richardson and himself will be looking for him to repeat on Saturday.

• Adam Schneider will be looking to solidify his spot in the side with a big game against North this weekend. Schneider has usually enjoyed his matches with North, averaging 16.7 disposals, six marks, four tackles and almost two goals a game in his previous three encounters. A similar output from Schneider this week will go a long way towards helping the Saints’ cause.

• North Melbourne’s captain Andrew Swallow looms as a particularly ominous threat for St Kilda this week. Swallow has made short work of St Kilda’s midfield in recent times, collecting an average of 25.3 disposals, 6.8 marks and a staggering nine tackles a game in his previous four matches against the Saints. The decision for Richardson to tag either Swallow or Harvey looms as a big one for the Saints.

 

Take note

• The last time St Kilda went 15 matches without scoring a century in a match was in 1960.

• This game will be only the second time the two teams have played away from Docklands stadium since round one 2003, with the other occasion being a 15-point win to the Saints at Metricon stadium in 2008.

• While Saturday will be St Kilda’s first game at Blundstone Arena, North Melbourne has some previous experience at the venue, recording two wins and two losses from four games at the venue. The Saints have previously played home and away games at North Hobart Oval and in Launceston.