Brent Staker’s rocky road to 150 AFL games could be rewarded with a Gabba jackpot if Brisbane’s maturing midfield continues St Kilda’s woes on Saturday night.
The versatile Staker will line up as a third tall beside Jonathan Brown and Daniel Merrett in a Lions forward line that should monster the Saints’ threadbare defence.
Injuries to Sam Gilbert (toe) and Sam Fisher (knee) had already left St Kilda undermanned down back before James Gwilt sustained a knee strain in the 101-point hiding by Geelong last week.
Saints coach Scott Watters has admitted there’s little he can currently do to solve the problem except choose the next best option.
Sam Dunell and Dylan Roberton have been promoted to aid Rhys Stanley and Tom Simpkin, both outclassed against powerful Cats forwards James Podsiadly and Tom Hawkins.
“Someone will relish that opportunity,” Watters said on Friday. “Sam Dunell comes into the side, maybe it’s him.
“Someone’s got to step up.”
Staker spoke in glowing terms of the Lions’ three-pronged attack of tall forwards and noted their advantage over the visitors but acknowledged the contest began in the middle of the ground.
The Saints also look stronger than first expected with stars Nick Riewoldt (foot) and Lenny Hayes (hamstring) named to play, while Brent Moloney and Simon Black will again be missing from the Lions’ midfield.
“It would be silly if we come out here expecting it’s going to be an easy game,” Staker said on Friday.
“Purely every game is decided by the midfield and how much they get their hands on the footy early and if our mids can do that then I’m sure we can put their defence under pressure and hopefully get some scoreboard pressure out of that.”
A popular man at the Gabba, Staker is still remembered for being the man on the receiving end of Barry Hall’s king hit in 2008 when playing for West Coast.
But he notches his milestone after making a strong comeback from back-to-back knee reconstructions this – starting with a match-winning goal against Essendon in his round eight return.
Before the injury blows the 29-year-old proved himself a saving grace for Michael Voss when the Lion coach made a host of controversial trades, to lure the likes of Brendan Fevola, in late 2009.
“There’s times when you question where you’re career is going, and I’ve moved here and had a few injuries, but it’s satisfying to get here and play 150 games,” Staker said.
“It means a lot and is a special achievement is the industry we’re in.”