As we get set take on St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, we’ve been keeping a close eye on all the news coming out of the Linen House Centre.
Veteran Saints midfielder Leigh Montagna appeared on Fox Footy’s AFL Tonight on Tuesday night and spoke about facing the GIANTS.
“We knew it was coming, GWS, they were going to be quite scary at some point but the way they’re playing at the moment, they’re up and about,” Montagna said.
“They’ve got an elite midfield led by a terrific ruckman, dangerous forwards - Jeremy Cameron coming back in this week doesn’t help - and a really strong, experienced backline with Heath Shaw, Patfull and those guys.
“We know they’re going to be a tough challenge and we’re going to be up for the fight on Sunday.”
The Saints had a tough battle with Hawthorn in Launceston last Saturday, coming within three points of the three-time reigning premiers to sit at one win and three losses ahead of round five.
But their win-loss record doesn’t give enough credit to their strong performances to start the season.
The Saints putting in a good showing against Port Adelaide in Adelaide in round one, went down to a rampaging Western Bulldogs and then defeated Collingwood by 29 points, in addition to the tight match with the Hawks.
St Kilda have changed their playing style slightly in 2016 with captain Nick Riewoldt evolving into a true wingman, giving former GIANT Josh Bruce and youngster Paddy McCartin a chance to shine inside 50.
Against the Hawks last week, the champion Saint collected all but four of his 23 disposals outside forward 50, to go with 12 marks and two goals.
Without Riewoldt inside 50, the Saints have turned to Bruce and McCartin as their focal points and they each also kicked two goals against the Hawks.
Since McCartin returned to the senior setup in round two, the 19-year-old has attracted the second most inside 50 entries (15) behind Bruce (23), whilst in his altered role Riewoldt has only been targeted on eight occasions when inside the arc.
In four previous clashes against the GIANTS, Riewoldt has kicked 10 goals, only bettered by the GIANTS’ Jeremy Cameron with 11 majors in the same amount of games.
In injury news, St Kilda small defender Jarryn Geary will need to prove his fitness at Thursday’s main training session after being concussed in the final quarter last weekend.
Emerging players Luke Dunstan (hamstring) and Jimmy Webster (quad) could also potentially return on Sunday after soft tissue issues.
The GIANTS take on St Kilda in round five at Etihad Stadium at 1.10pm on Sunday, April 24.
