St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has made no secret of his plan to negate Hawthorn captain James Sicily in a must-win AFL conflict.
The Saints’ finals credentials are beneath the microscope, with 4 losses of their previous six video games leaving Lyon’s aspect at risk of slipping out of the highest eight.
Defeat to third-from-bottom Hawthorn – forward of a troublesome final 4 home-and-away rounds – may spell catastrophe.
And placing the clamps on Sicily at Marvel Stadium on Sunday looms as essential to St Kilda’s probabilities.
The fiery defender was greatest afield when Hawthorn shocked the Saints in spherical 11, racking up 43 disposals, 22 intercept possessions and 16 marks.
Sicily obtained most votes within the AFL Coaches Association player-of-the-year award that day, and once more within the Hawks’ slender defeat to Richmond final week.
Lyon might be tempted to make use of versatile tall Zaine Cordy on Sicily, with the one-time Western Bulldogs premiership defender again after two weeks out with concussion.
“Sicily put us to the sword last time so we’re going to have to put work into him,” Lyon informed reporters this week.
“I think that’s the simplest thing (sitting someone on him) … we might have a little more experience if Cordy is available.”
Sicily, for his half, stated this week he’s ready for further consideration from St Kilda.
But the skipper added that is not a problem so long as the Hawks are forward on the scoreboard.
Despite 10 locations separating the 2 sides on the ladder, Lyon cautioned Hawthorn have been able to springing surprises this season.
The Saints coach can be cautious of a younger, rebuilding outfit that has nothing to lose.
“They’re feeling good about themselves with not much pressure on them,” Lyon stated.
“They can’t play finals, so they’re just going for it.
“We wish to embrace the expectation and never be constrained by expectation, and specific ourselves like we did within the final quarter (towards North Melbourne final week).
Hawthorn have named Lloyd Meek and mature-age debutant Brandon Ryan in a two-pronged ruck division, with Ned Reeves out suspended.
Hawks playmaker Karl Amon is out injured, whereas Lachlan Bramble and Cam Mackenzie return.
St Kilda have misplaced hard-running Brad Hill (bruised lung) and Dougal Howard (fractured wrist), recalling Cordy alongside Liam Stocker and Ryan Byrnes.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
