St Kilda vs Melbourne

Where and when:

Saturday June 22, 4.40pm

Melbourne Cricket Ground



In: Justin Koschitzke, Sam Fisher, Terry Milera, Tom Simpkin

Out: Stephen Milne, Beau Maister (Hamstring), Ahmed Saad, Josh Saunders



Milestone: Sean Dempster - 150 games, Nick Dal Santo - 250 games, Nick Riewoldt - 250 games

Overview:

St Kilda and Melbourne had the bye last week and will be committed to a strong second half of the year in response to a difficult first 12 weeks of the season.

The Saints were admirable against the West Coast Eagles a fortnight ago, while the Demons matched it with Collingwood for a quarter before Nathan Buckley's men galloped away to an 83-point victory.

Nathan Jones has been the shining light for Melbourne this season, while Jeremy Howe and Colin Garland have also improved. For St Kilda, Nick Riewoldt continues to dominate up forward while Jack Steven has been a revelation in the engine room.

Although the Saints have won just two games, they have been competitive in most matches including their last MCG contest, a 17-point loss to Richmond in round two.

Melbourne has consistently been defeated by large scores, but Neil Craig's appointment as caretaker coach during the bye may reinvigorate the players ahead of Saturday's clash against St Kilda.

Stat focus:

Melbourne is ranked 18th in the AFL for kicks, handballs, marks and disposals.

Nick Riewoldt has taken 109 marks this season, one more than Travis Cloke and the most in the competition.

Nathan Jones is ranked 13th in the AFL for clearances this year, averaging 5.7 per game - more than any other Melbourne or St Kilda player.

Jeremy Howe has taken 20 contested marks this season, ranked fifth in the AFL.

Riewoldt is ranked second in this category with 27.

Defenders Colin Garland and Dylan Roberton are ranked equal eighth in the AFL for rebound 50, both averaging 4.2 per game.

Leigh Montagna has been prolific in recent times against Melbourne, averaging 31.2 possessions per game in the last five encounters between the two teams.

Injury list:

St Kilda:

Sam Gilbert (knee) 4-6 weeks

Daniel Markworth (ACL) Season

Adam Schneider (hamstring) -1-2 weeks

Lenny Hayes (calf) Test

Darren Minchington (hamstring) 1-2 weeks

Beau Maister (hamstring) 6-8 weeks

Jason Blake (calf) 3-4 weeks

Melbourne:

Shannon Byrnes (wrist) Test

Mitch Clark (foot) 2-3 weeks

Chris Dawes (knee) 1-2 weeks

James Frawley (hamstring) 2-3 weeks

Jack Grimes (collarbone) 3-4 weeks)

Jordie McKenzie (facial laceration) Test

Jack Viney (foot) Test

Last game:

St Kilda 11.14 (80) defeated by West Coast 12.12 (84)

Melbourne 5.9 (39) defeated by Collingwood 17.20 (122)

Running hot:

St Kilda: David Armitage

The left-footer's defensive work against West Coast was tremendous and drew praise from Scott Watters post-game. He laid 12 tackles and collected 22 disposals, an impressive return against the likes of Scott Selwood, Luke Shuey and Matthew Priddis.Â

Melbourne: Nathan Jones

The in-and-under midfielder has carried the brunt of the load this season in Melbourne's engine room and continues to win the hard ball exceptionally. He collected 30 disposals against Collingwood a fortnight ago and looms as one of the Demons most pivotal players.

Watch out for:

St Kilda: Nick Dal Santo

The 250-gamer celebrates another significant milestone this weekend. He remains an integral member of St Kilda's midfield, but has enjoyed prolific spells this season on the back-flank, showcasing his silky skills and clean ball-handling as a rebounding defender. Dal Santo averages 28.4 disposals per game in his last five matches against the Demons.

Melbourne: Jeremy Howe

The high-flying forward is capable of playing as high up as the wing or as deep as the forward-pocket. He's booted 16 goals this year but it is his miraculous marking that brings the crowd to its feet. St Kilda's defenders will need to be watchful of the 22 year-old on Saturday afternoon.

Last time they met:

Round 20, 2012 at MCG

St Kilda 16.11 (107) defeated Melbourne 12.10 (82)

Disposals: Dal Santo (30), Grimes (29)

Goals: Maister (5), Blease (5)

You can follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32