Brisbane muscling in on massive task against St Kilda at the Gabba

WITH 300kg of attacking beef, the Brisbane Lions fancy their chances against St Kilda at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Daniel Merrett

WITH 300kg of attacking beef, the Brisbane Lions fancy their chances against St Kilda at the Gabba tonight.

The Saints are backing their agile backmen to run around the threatening figures of Jonathan Brown, Daniel Merrett and Aaron Cornelius.

But the elements might have the final say.

Rain soaked the playing surface yesterday, as the rivals had their final tune-ups.

Neither side is expected to change from what was named on Thursday, but St Kilda coach Scott Watters reckons the weather will spark subtle changes.

The Lions are particularly wary after being exposed last week by Sydney.

"They (St Kilda) average 18 goals a game, so if we're not defensively minded it will be a shoot-out and we won't win," Lions vice-captain Daniel Merrett said.

"They've got a lot of 190cm, skilled running types. If we're not putting pressure on them, they will cut us up."

St Kilda have not attracted much fanfare for their defence but restricted Essendon to only eight majors last week.

Sam Fisher, Sean Dempster, Tom Simpkin and Beau Wilkes all play their roles and Watters has faith in them to repeat that job.

"The Lions forward line has generally functioned pretty well," he said.

"We have to be right on our game. It's been an area of our list that is a question mark. But we thought we took some steps forward there last week."

Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke will give Brisbane match-up problems of their own.

But the unexpected rapid return of Matt Maguire injects muscle and experience into the back six, with Maguire sure to relish his first outing against his old club.

He and Joel Patfull will be trusted to contain Riewoldt and Koschitzke.

If the Lions still entertain any thoughts of playing in the finals, this is a must-win game.

St Kilda also must perform if they are to stay in the top eight on the ladder.

"I don't believe in eight-point games. Every game is critical," Watters said.

"They're a terrific opponent, particularly here. And they've taken some big scalps here so we treat them with a lot of respect."

Merrett said a win could "really open the door".

"We realise how big this occasion is and we're ready for it," he said.

"Obviously, we haven't been in finals for a couple of years so to have that pressure here on a Saturday night at the Gabba (helps)."