Talking points

u The Giants average one more point a game than St Kilda this year (80 to 79), but the Saints have a far better defence, conceding just 66 points a game compared with the Giants’ 94.

u St Kilda is gunning for four straight wins against GWS, with the Giants last saluting in 2019.

u Saints forward Max King should make his long-awaited season debut in this game after missing the first nine rounds due to injury.

u GWS on-baller Tom Green is in good form. The midfielder has collected at least 30 disposals in eight of his nine games this season.

u The Giants are back on their home deck after their annual five-week road trip due to the Royal Easter Show. They have yet to draw more than 10,000 fans to a home game since 2019.

LACHLAN GELEIT

Prediction: St Kilda by 21 points

Grand Final Start Time

u One of the game’s time-honoured traditions will remain intact with the 2023 Grand Final set to start at 2.30pm at the MCG on Saturday, September 30. Incoming chief executive Andrew Dillon is a strong supporter of daytime Grand Finals, but in making the announcement this week, the League noted the “great presentation of a twilight event” and said that future start times would be reviewed.

PIES’ FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

u Ladder-leading Collingwood is the new star attraction of the AFL following the release of the rounds 16-23 fixtures. The Magpies will feature in four Friday night blockbusters, taking on the Western Bulldogs (round 17), Carlton (round 20), the Geelong Cats (round 22) and the Brisbane Lions (round 23). The fixture for round 24, will be announced one month before. See fixture page 52.

Greatest winning margin: 47 points, round 5, 2016, at Marvel Stadium.

Longest winning sequence: 3, round 1, 2015, to round 5, 2016; round 18, 2020, to round 6, 2022. Most goals in a game: 6, Jeremy Cameron, round 7, 2019, at Manuka Oval.

St Kilda

Away record: 3-3

Home record: 4-2-1

Highest score: 25.13 (163), round 22, 2012, at Marvel Stadium.

Lowest score: 6.13 (49), round 15, 2015, at Giants Stadium.

Greatest winning margin: 128 points, round 22, 2012, at Marvel Stadium.

Longest winning sequence: 3, round 22, 2012, to round 2, 2014. Most goals in a game: 5, Stephen Milne, round 22, 2012, at Marvel Stadium; Nick Riewoldt, round 2, 2014, at Marvel Stadium.

Clarkson Steps Away

u North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has stepped away from the club indefinitely as he continues to deal with the fall-out of an investigation into alleged mistreatment of First Nations players in his time at Hawthorn, allegations he strongly refutes. The club said Clarkson will have “whatever time he needs to restore his health”. Brett Ratten becomes interim senior coach.