Tonights the night for both teams to be tested.

Though Im sure all the words before the game are going to be around "its still the preseason" and "were gearing up for round 1", this one is about a bit more than that for both teams.

Just like the media goes on and on about the Collingwood winning streak against Sydney (which in terms of margins isnt that significant), the Essendon side over recent times has been the most successful against the Saints famed defensive structure.  And havent the media continued to let both teams know about it?  Im sure that Ross Lyon would love to just put this Essendon team out with a big ten goal win to build belief in his teams structure, and bring a dose of reality back to dreaming Bomber fans.

So how will the Saints get a win here, given its fairly important for them?   I think they can through throwing away the bubble.

[caption id="attachment_2569" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The St Kilda Bubble"]<a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=987"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2569" src="http://tooserious.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/19577v50t1ku92k-300x199.jpg" alt="The St Kilda Bubble" width="300" height="199" />[/url][/caption]

The Saints have a bubble which has not only defined their club warding off attacks from all that would hurt their united group off the field, but also on it as well.   It was SaintsFootyTM and it almost beat Full-on-footy (09) and Side-By-Side (10), but it just fell short.

Its all about defence, tempo football, and striking a killer blow late in the piece.  I believe these things are going to still define St Kilda somewhat in 2011, but the new focus must be starting strong, starting bold, and making the bubble envelop the opponents.  Collingwood and Geelong have made an artform of getting to quarter time with a match winning lead, much like the Essendon team from 1999-2001.   This is where the Saints can improve in season 2011, and it means throwing off the shackles early, then relying on tempo defence later in the match to see them home.

Take a look tonight and see if it works.  From a SuperCoach perspective, not as much to watch this week.   Most of it in the Saints forward line with Gamble, Heppell and Hibberd my big three to watch, mainly from a team structure viewpoint.

Team lists and comments over the break:

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ST KILDA
1. Jason Gram, 4. Clint Jones, 7. Lenny Hayes, 8. Raphael Clarke, 9. Sam Crocker, 10. Steven Baker, 11. Leigh Montagna, 12. Nick Riewoldt, 14. Jarryn Geary, 16. Ryan Gamble, 18. Brendon Goddard, 20. David Armitage, 21. Nick Heyne, 22. Farren Ray, 24. Sean Dempster, 25. Sam Fisher, 26. Nick Dal Santo, 27. Jason Blake, 29. Tom Lynch, 30. Brett Peake, 31. Tom Simpkin, 32. Andrew McQualter, 33. James Gwilt, 34. Dean Polo, 35. Jamie Cripps, 38. Will Johnson, 39. Alistair Smith, 42. Daniel Archer, 44. Stephen Milne

ESSENDON
2. Ricky Dyson, 4. Jobe Watson, 5. Brent Stanton, 6. Angus Monfries, 7. Leroy Jetta, 8. Jason Winderlich, 9. Brent Prismall, 10. Mark McVeigh, 11. David Zaharakis, 14. Sam Lonergan, 15. Courtenay Dempsey, 17. Jake Melksham, 18. Michael Hurley, 20. Henry Slattery, 21. Dyson Heppell, 22. Jake Carlisle, 23. David Myers, 26. Cale Hooker, 27. Luke Davis, 30. Patrick Ryder, 33. Mark Williams, 34. Kyle Hardingham, 37. Kyle Reimers, 39. Heath Hocking, 40. Ben Howlett, 43. Michael Hibberd, 44. Tom Bellchambers, 45. Stewart Crameri, 46. Josh Jenkins.