FORM GUIDE
This week sees St Kilda and the Brisbane Lions play on ANZAC Day in Wellington, New Zealand, as part of three games that the AFL have scheduled for the special day.

The Lions had the glare of the football world focused on them last Easter Thursday night at the Gabba when they took on Richmond. In a tough and often scrappy affair the Lions hit the lead briefly during the third quarter. But, as is often the case with a young team, they ran out of legs and the Tigers kicked on to a commanding 43-point win.

The Lions had 10 players on the night who had played less than 25 games at AFL level and they will all be better for the experience in the long term.

Jonathan Brown was widely regarded as best on ground for the Lions in his milestone 250th senior appearance for the Club and continues to lift the younger guys through a tough period for the Lions.  

The Lions have a 0-5 record heading to New Zealand and will be hoping that the Saints present an opportunity for them to open their account in a season where plenty of results have been unpredictable.

St. Kilda is a team that many experts pencilled in as a favourite for the wooden spoon prior to the season commencing. But they have since made many look foolish with a 3-2 start to the year, and it is the combination of old and young that has the Saints firing so far this year.

They are being lead magnificently by Nick Riewoldt, Lenny Hayes and Leigh Montagna, but it is the 2013 crop of draftees that are providing the Saints coaching team with a positive outlook.  Of their young draftees of 2013, Luke Dunstan and Eli Templeton have played all five games this year, and top three pick Jack Billings has now played two games. The Saints appear to be trying to emulate some of the top sides and rebuild on the run while a core of experienced warriors remain at the club.

Whoever wins this contest will come down to how the experienced players of each side perform and control the tempo of the game on the night in Wellington. Leadership from the senior players of both sides will show the way for the young protégés to perform with confidence and belief in unfamiliar surroundings.

We can expect a number of youngsters playing and matching up on each other as the match progresses, which should make for great viewing and give all football fans a glimpse into the future.

AT THE SELECTION TABLE
The Lions have added almost 500 games of senior AFL experience with the returns of Daniel Merrett (155 games), Andrew Raines (119 games), James Polkinghorne (92 games), Pearce Hanley (80 games) and Josh Green (37 games).

Hanley has been passed fit to play after missing just one match with a hamstring problem, and his inclusion is certain give the team some added drive across half-back.

Merrett’s return from suspension comes at a good time with St Kilda Captain Nick Riewoldt in devastating form, while Green should add some extra zip up forward.

Raines and Polkinghorne will be keen to prove themselves after getting their first senior opportunity for the season. The pair have been representing the Lions Reserves in the NEAFL, but almost demanded selection after standout performances in last week’s win over Aspley.

Justin Leppitsch and his coaching staff have also made some tough calls on some other senior players who have been omitted.

Brent Moloney is probably the biggest name to be omitted, along with defender Mitch Golby who looked to have established himself as a regular member of the team’s back six last year.

They will join Jackson Paine, Jordan Lisle and Rohan Bewick on the sidelines.

The Match Committee’s decision sends a strong message to the rest of the team that reputations count for little when it comes to selecting the final side.

Meanwhile, St Kilda has replaced suspended forward Adam Schneider, with New Zealand-born recruit Shane Savage.

INJURY TOLL IS LESSENING
Much has been made of the huge injury toll at the Gabba since the season kicked off, and maybe the tide is turning ever so slightly in the Lions favour.

Two of the Club’s most important players in Pearce Hanley and Josh Green will make a welcome return on Friday, which will help immensely in both the back and front halves of the ground.

The Lions need all the experience on the ground that they can muster at the moment so as to give the young players some direction and confidence after a tough first five weeks.

KEY MATCH-UPS
Nick Riewoldt must be stopped if the Lions have any chance of getting the win on Friday Night. He is in career-best form at the moment and possibly already has three best-on-ground performances in the Saints’ three wins to date.

Daniel Merrett is back this week from suspension and will most likely be given first job on Riewoldt. It is a mammoth task for Merrett after not playing the past two weeks and he will need assistance – possibly from Joel Patfull being the third man up when the play is deep in the Saints forward line.

In the middle, both Lenny Hayes and Leigh Montagna had big games against the Bombers last weekend and they will need to be closely monitored. Luke Dunstan has had a big start to the year in his rookie season and is already an early favourite for the NAB Rising Star award.

Ryan Lester has been given greater midfield responsibility so far this season, and should start in the middle again alongside Tom Rockliff and Jack Redden. Trent West will once again be responsible for the bulk of the ruck duties and will need to use his experience against a young St. Kilda ruck combination, probably consisting of Tom Hickey with support coming from Rhys Stanley.

Clinton Jones is renowned for his ability to shut down the opposition key ball winner and there is every chance he will run with Rockliff for the entirety of the evening.

Some of the more interesting match ups that may occur between the young players on both teams from the 2013 draft crop.

There is every possibility that we could see James Aish running alongside Jack Billings off a wing or through the centre of the ground, or maybe young Lewis Taylor taking on livewire forward Eli Templeton if Taylor runs off the half back line at some stage. It is something that all fans should be looking forward to on a special evening in New Zealand.

Jonathan Brown displayed some vintage form last week and he will probably find one of Luke Delaney or James Gwilt lining up on him during the evening. Brown had his kicking boots on against the Tigers and will need to make the most of his opportunities in front of goal again this week.

Sam Mayes and Dayne Zorko while either playing or resting forward will more than likely find themselves opposed to one of Josh Bruce, Jack Newnes or Sean Dempster, who were a good combination in the upset win against the Bombers.

Zorko was his energetic self against the Tigers and we can expect more of the same as he continues to run himself into the ground every week for the Lions.

Mayes was a bit quieter last week than his first month and we can expect a bigger impact from him, particularly in front of goal, which is where he can hurt the opposition the most. He will be looking to atone for a couple of misses at goal on the run last Thursday against the Tigers.

STATISTICS THAT MATTER
For two sides that have relatively young lists, getting the ball and using it effectively goes a long way to winning games.

When comparing the teams head-to-head, the Saints lead in the Lions in average kicks per game 210–185, average total disposals 360-335 and average marks per game 101-78 which could lead to the Lions doing a lot of chasing on Friday night.

When looking at the statistics that coaches across the industry put great credence upon, the Lions have a slight advantage and lead the Saints in average tackles per game 66-62, one-per centers 52-42 and the Lions have less clangers per game averaging 44-46.

The statistics suggest that the game is set up to be relatively close and it will come down to who wins the contested ball, is cleaner with the ball in hand and makes the most of their opportunities in front of goal.

It is interestingly poised for a great game in Wellington.

LIONS RESERVES

The Lions Reserves bounced back to form and had a good win over their local rival, the Aspley Hornets at Graham Road last Saturday by 23 points. It was an amazing turnaround from the previous week’s thrashing at the hands of Redlands.

The Reserves had a huge performance from James Polkinghorne who had his best game of the season and finished with four goals and was well supported by both Andrew Raines and Zac O’Brien who found plenty of footy.

The Lions reserves next face the Sydney Swans reserves at Harrup Park in Mackay on ANZAC Day. It promises to be a tough game against the Swans who currently sit second on the NEAFL ladder behind the Northern Territory Thunder.


Carl Nimb is an independent writer and Lions Member (#2604559) who will contribute to lions.com.au throughout the season.

You can follow him on Twitter @CarlNimb