St Kilda coach Brett Ratten has shot down Brisbane counterpart Chris Fagan’s theory the Gabba is no longer an advantage to the Lions.

Brisbane battle the Saints on Sunday, but it is Ratten’s team that has had more recent game experience on the ground which is tipped to host this year’s AFL grand final.

St Kilda are preparing for their fourth game at the Gabba in three weeks, while the Lions have played at their home venue just once in seven starts.

However, Brisbane went 10-1 at home last year before losing finals to Richmond and GWS and are yet to lose in five games at the stadium in 2020.

With all 10 Victorian clubs based in Queensland due to Melbourne’s second wave of COVID-19, Fagan believes Brisbane’s home comforts have been nullified.

“I don’t see the Gabba as an advantage to us, or the climate anymore because they’ve been training up here for three months,” Fagan told reporters.

“It’s pretty even as far as that’s concerned.”

But Ratten sees it differently.

“We’re playing up here because we have to and whatever the fixture tells us to,” the Saints mentor said.

“The Gabba is a great ground and surface but they’ve (Brisbane) trained on it year in, year out and played all their home games there.

“There’s no doubt they get an advantage from playing at home and their record up here states they play very good football so I think it’s all in their favour.”

St Kilda defender Ben Paton has recovered from a head knock suffered in last week’s victory over Essendon and will take on the Lions, while hardnosed forward Dean Kent will return after being rested.

An upset victory over the premiership contenders would allow St Kilda’s top-four dreams to remain on track.

The Saints have knocked off ladder-leaders Port Adelaide and reigning premier Richmond this season, but fell well short against Geelong.