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Sydney Swans and St Kilda will meet at 7.20pm (AEST) tonight in a tantalising elimination final at Etihad Stadium.
Both teams are high on confidence – Sydney stringing together three straight, and St Kilda coming off two wins. Last time they met (just three weeks ago) Sydney swiftly brushed aside last year’s grand finalists at the SCG. But there’s no doubt St Kilda are a force to be reckoned with at home.
The Saints secured a home final by beating Carlton last week in a match everyone tipped the Blues to win easily. Meanwhile Sydney defeated the lowly Brisbane Lions to cruise into finals football.
Between Carlton and Brisbane, some may argue the Saints have had the better lead up of the two and will be poised for a tight contest on the night.
But if Sydney have proved anything these past few weeks, particularly after their victory over Geelong at Skilled Stadium, it’s that their young squad is ready and up to the challenge that awaits them this September.
Lining up for his 19th finals match, the key player for Sydney will be Adam Goodes.
A true leader, how he performs on the night, determines whether or not the Swans will come out victorious. Up front, through the middle, scrambling at the back, he does it all.
St Kilda’s man of the moment is pint-sized rocket Steven Milne. He’s kicked the most goals for his club this season and has remarkably scored first in nine games this season.
Injury has affected the Saints in a big way this season. They’ve lost key man Lenny Hayes for the season as well as Andrew McQualter, Sam Crocker, Tom Ledger, Will Johnson and James Gwilt. St Kilda also have David Armitage coming in for Michael Gardiner who was subbed last game. For Sydney, the big loss for them is defender Heath Grundy who is out with glandular fever. Crowd favourite Lewis Jetta and miracle man Nick Malceski have been dropped for Lewis Roberts-Thompson, and young tall forward Sam Reid who is back from calf tightness.
With nothing to lose and everything to gain, these finals regulars are sure to produce something special in Melbourne tonight.
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