Geelong Cats vs St Kilda Saints

For the first time in almost a decade, St Kilda travel to Geelong to take on the Cats. The Saints have not played at Kardinia Park since round 18, 2004, when they suffered a narrow seven point defeat to the home side. The close result reflected just how closely matched the two teams were, contesting the final of the preseason cup earlier that year and both reaching preliminary finals at the end of the home and away season. St Kilda beat Geelong by 22 points to win the 2004 Wizard Cup, kick starting a long period of on field success and rivalry.

This rivalry was never stronger than when the Saints and Cats clashed in the 2009 Grand Final, a match that was famously hard fought and close. Geelong have been able to successfully introduce new, young talent into their side over recent seasons and continue to compete at the top end of the AFL ladder. St Kilda played in successive Grand Finals, 2009 and 2010, but have fallen out of premiership contention and entered a period of regeneration. Currently placed 16th, the Saints are not expected to challenge 3rd placed Geelong when they meet at 7:40 on Saturday night. The Cats have performed poorly against lower placed teams this season, including a surprise loss to Adelaide last week, so cannot expect a walk-over when they face the Saints. The game at Simonds Stadium will be both a contest between rivals and a united effort, with Geelong and St Kilda joining forces to raise money for the Casey Tutungi.

Last Time They Met
Round 21, 2012, Etihad Stadium
Geelong 18 - 15 - 123
St Kilda   11 - 15 - 81

St Kilda spent most of the 2012 season on the edge of the eight, only once losing consecutive matches but never managing more than two wins in a row. They sat in 11th place when they came up against Geelong and, despite a hearty performance, suffered their biggest defeat of the season. Veteran small forward Stephen Milne kicked four goals and Brendon Goddard, now a bomber, had 30 disposals. The Saints lacked the midfield depth to match Geelong, who dominated through the centre of the ground. They provided great service to Tom Hawkins, who kicked 6 goals and sealed a 42 point victory for the Cats.

Key Match Ups
MITCH DUNCAN vs NICK DAL SANTO
There has been constant speculation this season over whether or not Nick Dal Santo will play out his career as a Saint. Dal Santo has been a champion player, finishing 2nd in the Brownlow Medal in 2011, third in 2005, and named All-Australian three times. Recently celebrating his 250th game, he is in the twilight of his career but remains a dangerous player with elite skills. His is ranked third at the Saints for total disposals, averaging 24 per game, and is in the top five in clearances, both at centre bounces and around the ground. When at the height of his powers, he regularly received a hard tag from Cameron Ling but it is unlikely Dal Santo will be subject to that on Saturday night. He may, however, prove a good challenge for emerging midfield talent, Mitch Duncan. Duncan has always had an ability to find the football and be effective when in possession, averaging over 20 disposals per game this year and nearly a goal a game over his career. He has yet to miss a match this season and has added a physical edge to complement his clean skills. Dal Santo and Duncan share many on field attributes, both able to clear traffic and hit targets on the lead as well as push forward to kick goals themselves. If Duncan maintains his defensive pressure and displays an appetite for physicality around the stoppages, he will be able to overcome his more experienced opponent.

NATHAN VARDY vs SEAN DEMPSTER
The inclusion on Nathan Vardy into the Geelong side has excited spectators, with the young Cat showing fleeting glimpses of brilliance over his injury plagued career. Vardy has played 13 games in four seasons with Geelong, including the elimination final loss to Fremantle last season. With Mark Blicavs rested this week, Vardy will be required to pinch-hit in the ruck but will be an x-factor in the Geelong forward line. Standing at 198cm tall, he is an athletic key position prospect who has the opportunity to earn a place in the Cat’s best side by the end of the season. Sean Dempster was named on the full-back line in the 2012 All-Australian team and is the marshal of St Kilda’s defence. He was fourth in the AFL for total marks last season and earned a second consecutive top three finish in the club best and fairest. Dempster is a 154 game veteran who leads an inexperienced back six. James Podsiadly and Tom Hawkins are both dangerous forward targets who will demand a lot of Dempster’s attention but he won’t underestimate the inexperienced Vardy, who kicked four goals in his only game at Simonds Stadium this year. St Kilda defenders will have to support each other to outnumber the Cats at marking contests in defensive 50. Geelong will aim to stretch the Saints defence with a three pronged attack and determine whether the unrealised potential of Nathan Vardy can become a weapon in September.

Did You Know?
Geelong played St Kilda in the 2004 Wizard Cup Grand Final and again, over five years later, in the Grand Final of the 2009 home and away season. There are currently seven players still at St Kilda and six players at Geelong who played in that preseason match almost a decade ago. Every one of those seven Saints; Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo, Nick Riewolt, Justin Koschitzke, Jason Blake, Leigh Montagna and Stephen Milne, played in the 2009 Grand Final against the Cats. Of the six players currently on the Geelong list, Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright, James Kelly, Joel Corey and Paul Chapman played in both finals. Josh Hunt stands alone as the only player still on either team’s lists that played in the final of the 2004 preseason tournament but was not part of the 2009 Premiership.