Where and When: Sunday, March 21 at 3:20pm, GIANTS Stadium

Tickets: Get ready to celebrate a big big season with the GIANTS. Be there live, tickets start from just $25 for adults and $50 for families. BUY NOW

Last time they met: The last premiership season match the GIANTS played was actually against the Saints. The two teams met in round 18 last year, at the Gabba. In Friday night footy, St Kilda ended the GIANTS’ season, winning by 52 points. In Lachie Whitfield’s 150th game, the GIANTS capped off a disappointing season with the loss. The Saints went on to play finals, defeating the Bulldogs in week one before losing the semi-final to Richmond.

TV and Online: Sunday’s opening round match will be shown live on the Seven Network and on Fox Footy nationally from 3pm as well as on 7mate in NSW and the ACT.

What it means for the GIANTS: It’s been 184 days since the GIANTS walked off the Gabba with their season over. Sam Jacobs retired that night, Heath Shaw rode off into the sunset and six players joined new clubs. For the GIANTS, those 184 days have been spent reviewing, learning and putting in the work to attack round one - and the 2021 season - with everything they have. A strong summer on the track with plenty of exciting new faces has led to Sunday’s match. It’s a team boasting the likes of stars Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly, Toby Greene, Nick Haynes, Phil Davis and Callan Ward along with all the excitement of the next generation in Tom Green, Lachie Ash and the returning Sam Taylor.

Where’s the opposition at: St Kilda finished the 2020 season on a high after making the finals for the first time since 2011. A loss to the eventual premiers in Richmond would only have buoyed their confidence in a new era under coach Brett Ratten. In the off-season, former GIANT Jack Steele was made co-captain while they added Brad Crouch, Jack Higgins, James Frawley and Shaun McKernan to their list. Crouch won’t appear until round three with suspension while Frawley suffered a serious hamstring injury in the AAMI Community Series. They are also expected to be without co-captain Jarryn Geary (fractured leg), Dan Hannebery (calf), Max King (concussion), Rowan Marshall (foot), Ben Paton (broken leg) and Paddy Ryder (personal leave) for round one.

The number: 1944. The days between when Matt Flynn was drafted and when he’ll line up for his debut. After the world saw the emotional phone call he made to his parents, there will be so many pleased, proud and relieved to watch Flynn play his first AFL game.

In the mix: The round 18 clash last year saw Connor Idun, Isaac Cumming and Jack Buckley all play which could be a sign of things to come for Sunday’s clash as the next wave of GIANTS get their opportunity. We already know first-round draft pick Tanner Bruhn and Flynn will play and coach Leon Cameron also flagged potentially playing two ruckman. Cameron will also have to make a call on the make-up of his forward line as well as the match fitness of star defender Phil Davis.