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The second match of the AFL’s Anzac Day triple-header takes us over the ditch to windy Wellington’s Westpac Stadium where the St Kilda Saints will do battle with the Brisbane Lions. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:45pm (AEST).
It’s only the second time ever that a game has been played for premiership points outside of Australia.
Last year, Sydney took the points against St Kilda in Wellington in front of a crowd of over 22,000. The Saints are back for another crack at winning in New Zealand, while the Lions make their debut appearance in Wellington.
Before the season started, both sides were expected to struggle. But the Saints have been something of a surprise packet so far, and go into this match with three wins from their first five games.
Two early wins against Melbourne and GWS Giants started their year off strongly, but the big achievement was last week when the Saints stunned Essendon by 16-points.
Nick Riewoldt had a stellar performance. The big Saint forward has returned to his best form this season, and a five-goal performance was pivotal to getting the Saints over the line.
The experienced hands of Leigh Montagna, Lenny Hayes and Adam Schneider were also prominent. Names that have guided the Saints to Grand Final appearances not all that long ago still have hopes of doing it again.
But there’s also new blood pumping through the Saints’ veins. Eli Templeton looks a ball-winner – his skills standing out as much as his hairstyle.
Draft picks Jack Billings and Luke Dunstan have slotted seamlessly into senior football, while GWS trade Josh Bruce is enjoying getting more opportunities at the Saints than he was getting in Giants colours.
In contrast, the season is already looking bleak for Brisbane. The Lions are the only side yet to win a game in 2014, and they were lamentable for most of the night against Richmond in their last game.
Rocked by defections during last year’s trading period, and decimated by injuries so far in 2014, the Lions have struggled to muster a team that can be competitive against the competitions leading contenders.
But it hasn’t been all doom and gloom for the Lions. Tom Rockliff, since returning from suspension, has shown his class around the ground and picked up a stack of possessions every week.
Dayne Zorko has shown plenty of strength, while Trent West has stood up well in the ruck contests. Up forward, the ever-reliable Jonathan Brown continues to manufacture goals.
The injection of young talent gives hope that the Lions can develop a stronger squad in years to come. James Aish, Nick Robertson, Tom Cutler and Darcy Gardiner have been introduced to senior footy already this season and look the goods.
The stakes in this match are high.
For the Saints, a chance to move comfortably into the top eight and prepare themselves for a realistic crack at finals action; something few would have thought possible before the season started.
For the Lions, a chance to get that breakthrough first win of the season, and develop some momentum to get their season back on track.
Will it be the Saints thrown to the Lions? Or will the Saints turn up the heat on the Lions, baking them at the Cake Tin?
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:45pm (AEST) as we follow all the action for Wellington.
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