Best: Hawthorn - Lewis, Franklin, Savage, Hodge, Suckling, Sewell, Guerra. St Kilda - Fisher, Gwilt, McEvoy, Schneider, Siposs.

The Hawks haven’t faced the Saints since Round 8 last season, a game in which the Hawks piled on 14 goals to five after quarter time thanks to some Lance Franklin magic - he booted five goals and a best-on-ground performance from Jordan Lewis with 30 disposals.

Looking ahead

New coach Scott Watters has breathed new life into the Saints, and they’re on the rise after a disappointing 2011 season. Many forget that their A-grade stars are still taking the field each week, with Brendon Goddard, Sam Fisher, Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo and Nick Riewoldt among them.

Lenny Hayes has been a welcome addition to the Saints’ midfield this season, after suffering a horrendous season-ending knee injury early last season. The Norm Smith medallist has made his return to senior football seem effortless, as the 32 year old averages 25 disposals and seven tackles per game. The Saints’ hard man enjoys playing against the Hawks, averaging 28 possessions in his last four matches against the brown and gold.

With tagging seemingly back in vogue, however, the Hawks coaching staff may have their hands full when selecting a player from the St Kilda midfield to lock down. Such is their powerful ball winning ability, the Saints possess a number of damaging options including Leigh Montagna. Montagna’s ability to find space and hurt the opposition on the scoreboard makes him one of the AFL’s mostly damaging midfielders and someone that the Hawks will need to monitor closely if they’re to register their third win of the season.

Improvement has come though, from Watters’ desire to implement a more attacking game style reliant on his side controlling the football. The Saints have gone from a defensive team to one with offensive and defensive balance, the Saints now averaging just 33 disposals less than league-leaders North Melbourne. The problem is, that with the Saints possessing such class in their midfield, such high numbers spells danger for their opposition.

Their midfield stars, Hayes (25.6 possessions), Goddard (25.4), Dal Santo (24.8) and Montagna (22.6) have all had no trouble finding the football so far this season. Impressively, the Saints’ improvement has been on the back of the ability of its youngsters and third, fourth and fifth year players who are reaching their potential. Jack Steven (21.4 possessions), Jarryn Geary (18.4), David Armitage (19) and Clinton Jones (19.2) are all now forming part of a powerful midfield rotation with a number of depth options.

This improvement in the midfield has translated into better opportunities going forward for the Saints combined with a more attacking style of play. Nick Riewoldt is re-capturing his 2009-2010 form and becoming more damaging closer to goal. The emergence too, of athletic forward Rhys Stanley has assisted the Saints in finding another option. Stanley averages 12 disposals and one goal per game.

Stanley poses a match-up headache for the Hawks, standing at 200cm and possessing an outstanding running ability for a big man. With Josh Gibson substituted during the third term last week, he could be under an injury cloud, and Ryan Shoenmakers likely to have his hands full with Riewoldt, Stanley could be another Saint who impresses on Saturday night.


Luke Beveridge: "They're showing that there's still a lot of talent there, their young kids have really stepped up and some of the changes that Scott's (Watters) made have been a real positive for them."


Jordan Lewis: “Their midfield (is a strength) but they’ve got two big key forwards in Riewoldt and (Justin) Koschitzke up there who can take a mark and kick goals and also their backline, with the rebound that Sam Gilbert and Sam Fisher provide but we’re pretty confident we can match it with them.”


John Bournaris: "The centre square duels will once again be pivotal in deciding the contest, if Hawthorn allows Hayes, Montagna and Goddard to clear the ball as the Swans did in the second half last week then the Saints will be a big show."