The Western Bulldogs claim St Kilda’s awesome season so far counts for nothing ahead of Friday night’s AFL preliminary final.

The Saints are firm favourites, based on their minor premiership, comfortable wins over the Bulldogs in both of this year’s previous meetings and fortnight’s rest.

But midfielder Daniel Cross calls that meaningless history.

“What’s been done in the past is the past, the finals series is a whole new ball-game, records mean nothing during the year,” Cross said on Tuesday.

“We give ourselves every shot this week.”

Coach Rodney Eade also dismisses the bookmakers.

“We’ll go in underdogs, but I think it should be 50-50,” Eade said.

“Both teams have got an equal amount to lose, it’s a grand final berth up for grabs, it’s the same with all four teams, it’s equal footing, it’s a do-or-die situation.

“We’ve given ourselves a chance and we certainly deserve to be there.”

The Saints controlled their two previous meetings, a 28-point win in round six, which would have been bigger if not for inaccurate kicking, and a 45-point victory in round 17.

Eade said the glaring area they needed to improve from those clashes was winning the contested ball.

But he said they had sharpened that aspect of their game in recent weeks, particularly last Friday night’s semi-final win over Brisbane.

“I don’t think it’s anything new in the game,” he said.

“You have to win the ball and be able to control it and if you don’t, they’ve got such talented players that they’re going to win the game.”

The other big factor has been Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt, who racked up a combined 22 marks and 9.6 in the two games.

The threat of Riewoldt and fellow tall forward Justin Koschitzke has Eade contemplating including tall defender Tom Williams for his first senior game since round 20.

Williams performed solidly in the VFL on Saturday in his return from a foot injury and Eade rated him a “good chance” to play.

“Having two quality forwards like they’ve got, it’s certainly a big ask for Brian (Lake) and Dale (Morris), so Tommy I suppose in that situation would give them a chop-out,” he said.

The Bulldogs can pick from a full list, with midfielder Ryan Griffen dispelling any doubts about a minor calf injury by moving freely at training.

Forward Robert Murphy, who has been playing with knee soreness, also trained well.

The notable absentee was ruckman Will Minson, who has a toe injury, but Eade said he would train at the MCG on Thursday and will play.

© AAP 2012

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