Coming off the back of an impressive pre-season, the Lions will be looking to improve significantly upon last year's result.
With a number of much anticipated new recruits, there is plenty of
There is young talent sprinkled across the list, and with Chris
The addition of Cam Rayner and natural improvement from the likes of Hugh McCluggage, Jarrod Berry and Alex Witherden will be exciting to watch.
For St Kilda, the expectation is to make finals for the first time since 2011. The Saints have faith they are on the right track, as shown by extending Alan Richardson's contract until the end of 2020, but it's time to deliver results.
Very few are left from the previous era after the retirements of Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna, so the opportunity is there for younger players to fill the void.
Where and When: Etihad Stadium, Saturday, March 24, 3.35pm AEDT
Last Five Times
R3, 2017, St Kilda 14.23 (107) d Brisbane 11.10 (76) at Etihad Stadium
R23, 2016, St Kilda 25.11 (161) d Brisbane 15.13 (103) at Etihad Stadium
R9, 2015, St Kilda 16.12 (108) d Brisbane 13.8 (86) at the Gabba
R6, 2014, Brisbane 12.10 (82) d St Kilda 11.13 (79) at Westpac Stadium
R19, 2013, Brisbane 16.12 (108) d St Kilda 11.11 (77) at the Gabba
The Six Points
1. In a seesawing encounter last year in Round 3, the Lions came back from six goals down to take the lead in the third quarter, before the Saints found their momentum in the last quarter and ran out 31-point winners.
2. The Lions will be returning with an almost full-strength squad as Allen Christensen, Mitch Robinson and Tom Bell return to AFL after season-ending injuries in 2017.
3. Mitch Robinson could be set to play his 150th AFL game under the lights of Etihad Stadium, an exciting milestone to make as he returns to the game.
4. There could be a number of new recruits playing their first AFL game in Lions colours on Saturday evening with new draftee Cam Rayner likely to debut while new recruits Luke Hodge and Charlie Cameron on the cards also.
5. The Lions and Saints both failed to win a match in the JLT Community Series.
6. Brisbane has three players in the top 100 of the AFL Player Ratings, led by Dayne Zorko at No.6.
It's a big week for...
Former Hawthorn's triple premiership captain Luke Hodge will make his Lions debut on Saturday, and it will be a strange sight seeing the champion represent another side. While Hodge isn't expected to dominate for his new team, Brisbane knows he will add critical experience to a very youthful backline.
Hodge impressed in his one pre-season hit-out for the Lions against the Suns and made an immediate impact on the organisation of the Lions' backline.
