WHERE & WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Friday 24 February, St Kilda v Sydney (6:40pm), Geelong v Sydney (7:45pm), Geelong v St Kilda (8:50pm)
PRE-SEASON/NIGHT PREMIERSHIPS WON:
St Kilda have enjoyed recent success in the pre-season competition, taking the title in 2004 and 2008 to give them a total of four premierships. Geelong have also tasted victory twice in the last 10 years (2006 and 2009) to go with their only other triumph in 1961. Since relocating from South Melbourne, the Swans have traditionally not taken the pre-season competition seriously with their only success coming back in 1982, although they did have three premierships in the space of five years in the 50s when based in Victoria.
LAST YEAR'S NAB CUP:
St Kilda advanced to the quarters after comfortably defeating Brisbane and then drawing with Essendon in the opening round. They then thrashed Geelong to the tune of 55 points before losing to bogey-side the Bombers in the semis. Sydney thumped GWS and lost to Gold Coast in their opening-round tri-series to book their place in the quarter-finals. They put up a strong fight, but fell 14 points short of eventual champions Collingwood. The Cats accounted for North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs in the opening-round fixture, but their campaign came to an end at the hands of the Saints the following week.
WALKING WOUNDED:
The Saints have virtually a full list to choose from with just ACL victim James Gwilt and Raph Clarke (calf) unavailable from their best 22. Youngsters Jay Lever (calf) and Jimmy Webster (shin) are also unavailable. Sydney are also tracking well, but will be without Matt Spangher (hamstring), Dan Hannebery (knee), Tony Armstrong (quad), Lewis Roberts-Thompson (hamstring), Trent Denis-Lane (hamstring) and Tom Mitchell (knee). The Cats have already endured an injury-interrupted off-season with Travis Varcoe facing an extended lay off due to a foot injury. David Wokcinksi (foot) and James Podsiadly (shoulder) will both miss this week but coach Chris Scott is hopeful of the duo featuring before the opening round of the season proper. Dawson Simpson (back), Daniel Menzel (knee) and Nathan Vardy (hip) are all long term prospects.
WE THINK:
Geelong are warm favourites win both their matches in this group, but with a largely inexperienced side that features just 10 players from last year's grand final side it's hard to see that happening. With a lengthy injury list and the off-season retirements to key players Cameron Ling, Brad Ottens, Darren Milburn and Cameron Mooney, the Cats will blood a host of youngsters and new players in the NAB Cup. Cameron Guthrie and Billie Smedts are set for extended game-time, while mature-aged recruit Orren Stephenson will carry the bulk of the ruck load. With the Cats' sole focus on managing their players through the season proper, don't expect them to replicate their stunning 2011 finals form. The Swans have enjoyed a near perfect pre-season with their star players the standouts during the intra club matches. Adam Goodes, Jarrad McVeigh, Shane Mumford and Ben McGlynn have all starred and will look to continue their good form in their first competitive hit-out. Ryan O'Keefe had a corked thigh last week but has been named and is expected to feature in at least one of the matches. On paper the Saints look the team to beat with a near full complement of players to choose from, including Lenny Hayes, who is set to feature for the first time since rupturing his ACL in Round 2 last year. St Kilda are always keen on adding more silverware to their bare trophy cabinet and will fancy their chances. With new coach Scott Watters in charge of a competitive match for the first time in his career, all players will be eager to impress and secure their spot in the best team. With a pretty even group, I think each team will come away with a win on what looks to be an entertaining night.