Monday night’s much-anticipated contest between Carlton and St Kilda pits the 17^th-placed team per game for uncontested possessions with the eight-placed outfit whose young midfield group is acknowledged for its hard-running as much as anything else.

In terms of disposal efficiency, the discrepancy between the two teams isn’t as great. The Saints are ranked 11^th for disposal effectiveness with 71 per cent of their disposals hitting the target, whereas the Blues are currently 12^th–placed by comparison. Clearly, St Kilda’s run and spread from the contested situations will need to be curbed – otherwise the Saints’ hard-running and disposal efficiency will afford Nick Riewoldt and his fellow forwards a myriad of one-on-one contests we do not want.

Riewoldt as captain, together with Leigh Montagna, are amongst St Kilda’s most experienced campaigners. Both players pose serious threats.

Equal fourth on the Coleman Medal goalkicking tally and second only to Essendon’s Cale Hooker in the competition for marks, Riewoldt is obviously the opposition’s “go-to” man.

Montagna, as chief midfielder for the Saints, averages the most disposals for his team, is ranked fifth in the AFL overall for average disposals per game, and is currently first-placed for kicks and fifth for clearances.

Shut down Montagna and you go a long way to curbing St Kilda’s midfield potency.