St Kilda utility Jason Blake says the pre-season final against the Western Bulldogs is a chance for the Saints to test themselves against a top side and gain a springboard into the AFL premiership season.

The Saints are expected to play close to a full-strength side at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, with skipper Nick Riewoldt and fellow star Brendon Goddard to return after both rested last weekend.

Blake, who is also hopeful of returning after back tightness kept him out of the win over Fremantle last Saturday night, wanted to continue their winning form even though Saturday night’s clash counts for nothing in the premiership season.

“I know at St Kilda we don’t want to pick and choose, we want to remain consistent in our effort the whole way through,” Blake said on Tuesday.

“The NAB Cup’s all about preparing ourselves for round one and for the season, so we want to practise excellence.”

St Kilda beat the Bulldogs by seven points in last year’s preliminary final, and Blake said Saturday night would give a good gauge on the Saints’ form, given the Bulldogs’ improvement in tackling and their added firepower through recruit Barry Hall.

“We had some great battles last year and they’re flying at the moment, so we’re really looking forward to testing ourselves,” he said.

Blake said he could “possibly” get some time standing on Hall, along with Zac Dawson and Sam Fisher.

“I know Zac and Sam are also contenders to play on him, but obviously Barry is a quality player and he’s going to be tough to beat,” he said.

© AAP 2012

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