WHERE AND WHEN: The Gabba, Saturday July 14, 7.40pm
LAST TIME: St Kilda 13.11 (89) d Brisbane Lions 11.10 (76), round 5, 2011, at the Gabba
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
 
A month ago, this looked to be a run-of-the-mill mid-season fixture, but now it has some serious repercussions for both teams. St Kilda (7-7) is clinging to eighth spot on percentage after thumping Essendon last weekend, while the Lions' (6-8) heavy loss to the Swans dropped them a win outside the finals action. Respective skippers Nick Riewoldt and Jonathan Brown have recaptured something close to their best form and may help decide the outcome. Either way we should have a clearer picture of both teams' finals aspirations after Saturday night.

THE FOUR POINTS
Brisbane Lions
1. Who gets Riewoldt? The Lion best equipped to match Riewoldt's running power is Niall McKeever, but the Irishman was toweled up by Swan Sam Reid last week. If Michael Voss isn't comfortable with McKeever doing the job on the blonde Queenslander, versatile Joel Patfull is the likely match-up despite being slightly undersized. Look for a spare man to help out.

2. For the second week in succession, it won't just be the big men that stretch the Lions' defence, with Ash McGrath's season-ending hamstring injury compounding Mitch Golby's foot problem. The Saints are littered with nimble small forwards who can change the game, which may bring in-form Pearce Hanley back from the wing to half-back for more of a stopping role.

3. Slowly but surely the Lions are starting to regain their swagger at the Gabba. They are 4-3 at home for the season and have won three straight against GWS, West Coast and Melbourne. Conversely St Kilda is 1-3 for its interstate matches, with its only victory coming against the winless Gold Coast.

4. Dayne Zorko's phenomenal entry to the AFL continued against the Swans last week with the 23-year-old racking up career highs in both disposals (31) and marks (10). His average of 20 touches, six marks, six tackles and a goal over his eight games has comfortably offset the absence of injured small forward Todd Banfield who is now making his way back through the reserves.

St Kilda
1. The Saints haven't won two consecutive games since their round two and three wins over the Suns and the Bulldogs. They need to build momentum if they are going to contest for one of the highly sought-after spots in the bottom half of the eight.?

2. Jack Steven's club-imposed suspension for drink-driving was the only sour note to come from the weekend and his absence will be felt in the midfield. Brendon Goddard is also a week away from returning from his suspension so the St Kilda engine room is lacking a bit of depth.

3. The Saints' back line held up well against Essendon last week but an early injury to Michael Hurley may have brought a sigh of relief. The Saints face Jonathan Brown this week and he looms as the most dangerous prospect in the Lions' arsenal. St Kilda doesn't have a big bodied defender with a similar physicality to Brown so they may have to double-team him.

4. St Kilda's forward line is fast becoming one of the most difficult to match up on. Nick Riewoldt and Stephen Milne are as dangerous as they have ever been in their long careers, while Justin Koschitzke and Adam Schneider were both impressive against Essendon while Beau Wilkes showed his value as a depth player. The Lions will have their hands full trying to plan their defensive strategy.

AFL.com.au prediction: Brisbane Lions by two points

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs