Bullish St Kilda coach Scott Watters believes his side can match any in the AFL competition, including Collingwood who they face at the MCG on Saturday night.
The Magpies welcome back premiership players Darren Jolly, Dale Thomas, Sharrod Wellingham, Harry O’Brien and Steele Sidebottom – but that doesn’t faze Watters.
Despite sitting a win outside the top eight in 10th spot, he says recent form shows they are up to the challenge.
“We knocked over Essendon, went to Brisbane which wasn’t an easy road trip at that point because they were fighting for their finals and we won that,” Watters said.
“We were four points behind Sydney with three-and-a-half minutes to go in a game we should have won and not many sides have challenged Sydney there, and we were ruthless against Western Bulldogs last week.
“Our form’s as good as anyone in the league.”
While Watters talked up his men, the fourth-placed Magpies believe they still have plenty of room to improve before the finals.
“If we can keep taking steps it will hold us in good stead for the right end of the season,” said midfielder Sidebottom, who is returning from injury.
“We haven’t reached our peak yet but a lot of teams don’t want to because there are still a few rounds to go.”
An assistant coach at Collingwood before taking on the senior coaching role at the Saints, this is the first time Watters has been pitted against the Magpies.
He said he had inside knowledge of his old club in terms of their key players and “what they do and how they do it”.
But he believed it wouldn’t necessarily give his own team an advantage.
“You have inside knowledge but whether that translates into an edge tomorrow night who knows,” he said.
“Ultimately your players still have to execute what you’ve been talking about during the week.”
Sidebottom says Collingwood believe they can beat St Kilda “all over the board” and that his team will concentrate on breaking open the game.
Watters said playing on the Magpies’ home turf at the MCG could work in their favour.
“We don’t mind playing quickly and being aggressive with our ball movement,” he said.
“They’re a pressing side, as we are. Maybe they’ll find it harder to defensively hold us in on the MCG which has more area than Etihad.
“I’ve got a massive belief in our playing group and our form’s as good as anyone in the comp so why can’t we (win).”
Saints small forward Adam Schneider was ruled out after failing a hamstring test.
