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Saints up for Cats' forward trio in AFL

Anna HarringtonAAP
Saints coach Brett Ratten says his charges will face the ultimate test against the in-form Geelong.
Camera IconSaints coach Brett Ratten says his charges will face the ultimate test against the in-form Geelong. Credit: AAP

Resurgent St Kilda are under no illusions as to the difficulty of tackling Geelong's three-pronged AFL forward line, but coach Brett Ratten says they're up for the challenge.

The Cats beat Richmond off the back off Jeremy Cameron's six-goal haul, combined with Gary Rohan's bag of five and Tom Hawkins' four.

The Saints have won two games on the bounce but Friday's clash at Marvel Stadium poses a far bigger challenge.

"There's no bigger test, is there?" Ratten said.

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"The Cats in great form, (they've) just beaten the Tigers, (they're) up and about.

"If you're asking (Chris Scott) what he wants from his team - to have the key forwards kick 15 goals between three of them, that's probably what he's after.

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"So they're in good form and we'll have some challenges and get to see where we're at."

James Frawley's debut should help solve at least one defensive headache, while Tom Highmore has been recalled.

Seb Ross also returns while Nick Coffield, Darragh Joyce and Mason Wood have been omitted though Zak Jones is out for two months after undergoing quad surgery.

Cats counterpart Scott was loath to compare his current arsenal to his 2011 premiership side but relished the "balance" of the 2021 attack.

"We've been building towards this sort of firepower but not only attacking firepower, good balance as well," Scott said.

"We've got some speed in there and we do pressure well inside our forward 50, we're not reliant on marking the ball in there, we're good at ground level as well when we're at our best.

"It certainly gives the guys up the field real confidence that if we provide them enough service then they'll be able to finish it off."

Scott expected more to come from Cameron, who has booted 12 goals across his first three games for Geelong.

"We don't want to put a lid on the excitement, we're excited too," he said.

"We gave up a big price (at the trade table) - I'd still contend it was unders and I think that'll be borne out in the fullness of time."

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