St. Kilda are no doubt playing some of their best football in years. Their pressure around stoppages and improved ball skills has seen them soar to the top of the AFL ladder. No doubt that St. Kilda’s form has been the main contributor to their success however not taking anything away for the Saints; the AFL schedule has undoubtedly had an impact.

The AFL fixtures see the Saints playing 14 games at their home ground Etihad Stadium, which of course aren’t all home games. Between rounds 3 and 17 the Saints will play 11 games at the dome were they have won by an average of 50 points this year; which along with their current 8-0 record which without question help them to finish in the top two. They are not the only team with a good draw; as always the Magpies will play a lot of their games in Melbourne. Collingwood play only 11 homes games which is standard among other AFL teams, but play 14 games at the MCG - their home ground. The other team which is yet to take advantage of a favourable draw is North Melbourne. They play 8 home games in the first 11 rounds; however they will have to play a stretch of 4 consecutive away games between rounds 14 and 17.

Injuries are probably the only thing that stands between the Saints and a Grand Final appearance. At the moment the Saints only have three injuries; Jarryd Allen (hip), Xavier Clarke (knee) and Sean Dempster (knee) their returns are all listed as indefinite. If some of the Saints’ key players were to go down with injuries maybe they should look at what Geelong has done this year. Geelong has kept players with injuries on the side lines for an extra one or two weeks more than needed to ensure that they are fully fit when they make their returns. The cats first did it this year, when Tom Harley went down with injury; he is yet to return and Gary Ablett may also be rested further. The Cats have the ability to do this because of their depth and why wouldn’t you if your team was playing good footy and was undefeated.