The line up

B: Webster, brown, Savage

HB: Wilkie, Battle, McKenzie

C: Geary, Ross, Newnes

HF: Billings, Bruce, Parker

F: Lonie, Membrey, Gresham

FOLL: Marshall, Steele, Sinclair

I/C (from): Steven, Dunstan, Acres, Clark, Long, Kent, Paton, Joyce

IN: Steven, Long, Paton, Joyce

OUT: -

Read: Ton for McEvoy

What to expect

Having won two of its opening three games of the season, it is clear that St Kilda has made noticeable improvements on the back of a disappointing year in 2018.

Interestingly, as far the area the Saints have improved in most relative to the rest of the league, it is clearly in their ability to defend their opposition.

Alan Richardson’s side ranked 14th for points scored in their four-win 2018 campaign – a position they hold again this year, having scored more than only four sides.

But the points against column is cause for much more excitement for the Saints faithful, having improved from the third-easiest side to score against last year to the fourth-most difficult this year.

Expect a tight, physical encounter on Sunday, with both the Hawks (ranked first in the competition for tackles) and the Saints (second for tackles) not backward in their attack on the contest.

 

Player to watch

Jack Billings is arguably the classiest player on the St Kilda list and has kicked this year off in fine style. Averaging 29.3 possessions per game so far this season, the number three pick in the 2013 draft is certainly one to watch and a potential game breaker for the Saints on their quest to their third win of 2019.