Swan Kieren Jack and St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt in Wellington. Source: Getty Images
ST KILDA coach Scott Watters has channelled legendary coach Mick Malthouse by urging his players to prove their character in today's historic Anzac Day clash.
The Saints enter the game against Sydney with a precarious 1-3 record.
Big man Justin Koschitzke will play his first game of the season as one of five changes, with All-Australian defender Sean Dempster (wrist) another inclusion.
St Kilda will field two debutants - Brodie Murdoch and Josh Saunders - while Tom Lee is back in.
Sydney recalled Craig Bird and Andrejs Everitt for Lewis Roberts-Thomson (knee) and forward Mitch Morton (dropped).
This game is shaping as St Kilda's line in the sand moment - playing the Swans on a foreign ground with key absentees and at a ground guaranteed to provide flukey winds.
For Watters, an assistant with Collingwood on previous Anzac Days, this is a chance for his players to prove their mettle.
"What we are looking for is real honesty in the contest. On this particular day, this particular stage, so many people watching, it's an opportunity for players to show what they stand for, on both sides, I guess," Watters said.
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"You've got to take those opportunities whether you're a young player or an older player, to make a statement on what type of player you are.
"It's not a final, but these sort of games have that sort of feel to it.
"You've got to win games to stay in the hunt, we don't shy away from that. It's a big game, as last week was.
"You've just got to take your chances when they're there if you want to stay relevant and push yourself up the ladder."
Of debutant Saunders, Watters said: "He is a terrific kid, he's got great courage over the footy.
"He has good pace, good endurance, a developing player."
St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt said yesterday he remained quietly optimistic about the club's season.
"At the end of the day, it's a game of football for four points and we are on the hunt for a win." he said.
"We have been thereabouts this season without getting over the line and are clearly playing an opposition that we respect, but I think we match up really well. Last year we had a couple of really close games against them so we are quietly confident about our chances and looking forward to a really tough struggle."
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