Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has rejected suggestions that an injury-hit Geelong Cats side will be vulnerable in Thursday night’s Round 19 AFL match at GMHBA Stadium, where both clubs need a victory to support their finals hopes.
The ninth-placed Geelong Cats have lost three consecutive matches and will be without Jeremy Cameron. The 10th-placed St Kilda Saints have not won in Geelong since 1999 and enter the match with an 8-9 record.
Another finals contender managing an injury return is Sydney, where Justin McInerney is targeting an AFL comeback before the finals.
Ross Lyon Rejects Underdog Talk
“They’re very established, mature, talented ... walking wounded is not a term of choice for me with them,” Ross Lyon said of the Geelong Cats.
“We head down the road, which is a formidable challenge, but one we’ve got to lean into and attack.”
Ross Lyon expects the narrow dimensions of GMHBA Stadium and cold conditions to produce slippery football. The St Kilda Saints usually play under the roof at Marvel Stadium, making the outdoor conditions another test.
The shape of the ground is likely to funnel play through congested areas rather than allow either team to create easy width. Winning contested possession and handling pressure should therefore decide which side controls the match.
“The price for every game starts in the contest and pressure stage,” Ross Lyon said.
Jay Polkinghorne Earns AFL Debut
The Geelong Cats will give 20-year-old forward Jay Polkinghorne his AFL debut as Chris Scott restructures the attack without Jeremy Cameron. The club has confirmed Jay Polkinghorne will become its 1,122nd senior player in an official debut announcement.
The official AFL match centre lists the fixture at GMHBA Stadium as a Round 19 meeting with finals positions at stake.
St Kilda Saints forward Max King will not play but could return next weekend after a long injury layoff. Max King has not appeared at AFL level since June 2024.
“We’re hoping, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” Ross Lyon said.