ST KILDA Coach Scott Watters says his players are excited to be playing on the big stage, in Friday night football against one of the competition’s premier sides.
Watters labelled the Hawks as being in “premiership mode” as the two teams prepare to meet at Etihad Stadium tomorrow night.
The Saints coach lauded Hawthorn’s depth of talent, reliant on one player to kick goals or to gather 30 or more disposals for it to win.
That un-reliance will be tested tomorrow night, with the Hawks preparing to take on the Saints without Captain Luke Hodge (thumb) and star forward Lance Franklin (hamstring).
Watters knows Jarryd Roughead, who has kicked more goals than Franklin this season will lead the forward line in the spearhead’s absence and be ably assist by dangerous small forwards Cyril Rioli and Luke Breust.
“The reason why they’re a premiership type side is because it’s not just about Franklin or Roughead, it’s Rioli, it’s Breust,” he told media on Thursday.
“They’ve got a lot of depth and a lot of maturity through a lot of areas.
“It’s a really tough challenge but our players are excited, it’s an opportunity to test ourselves against the benchmarks.”
St Kilda will be stretched in defence, with a number of their key position players out with injury.
Sam Fisher, Beau Maister, Sam Gilbert, Justin Koschitzke, Rhys Stanley and Tom Simpkin are all unavailable for selection.
That doesn’t worry the Saints coach, however, acknowledging his young players will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best players in the competition.
He says his team is up for the challenge.
“We intend to be aggressive around the contest and we know we’re up against a team in premiership mode and that’s a great challenge,” he said.
“It’s more about us just continuing the pathway we’re on – our younger players this week are going to get great opportunities on some players who are right in premiership mode,” he said.
“It’s about accepting that challenge and being able to measure yourself off a Mitchell or a Roughead, there are some great challenges for us.”
