ST Kilda are underdogs against Richmond. Understandable, given they've just won their first final in a decade and are now staring down the defending champs.
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But Wagga product and in-form Saints defender Dougal Howard says conquering the Tigers earlier this year gives the club belief they are capable of backing up last week's thrilling defeat of Western Bulldogs.
St Kilda nearly let a big lead slip in the elimination final before hanging on by three points, and Howard said the lessons learned from the Bulldog's late surge will hold them in good stead for Friday's semi final against Richmond on the Gold Coast.
Howard has proven to be a shrewd buy after joining St Kilda from Port Adelaide this year, and picked up seven coach's votes for his heavily influential 20-disposal game against the Bulldogs.
St Kilda toppled Richmond by 26 points in round four and Howard, 24, said they will try to execute the positive, aggressive style which has been behind their resurgence this year.
"We're probably underdogs but it doesn't change anyone's mindset. We beat the Tigers earlier in the year and they were pretty much full strength, we'd beaten the Bulldogs and Port Adelaide (in the regular season)," Howard said.
"We're going in pretty confident we can beat any side, and are looking forward to the challenge. They've got a lot of finals experience but we've got them once this year, and hopefully we can do it again.
"We do like to use the footy and play an aggressive brand at times like we did for the first three quarters on the weekend. We'll try and do that and nullify the Tigers' strengths."
Howard will shoulder more responsibility after fellow key defender Jake Carlisle opted to return home for the birth of his third child.
It weakens a backline already down on experience, but with 63 AFL games now under his belt Howard isn't fazed by the prospect of taking on gun forwards Tom Lynch or Jack Riewoldt on the big stage.
Howard isn't afraid to bark out orders on field, which he says has been a natural progression with so many young faces down back.
"Jake's definitely a big loss, he's a very good player and it will be tough to fill his shoes, but the rest of us have to step up," he said.
"It's nothing new now, most weeks playing on the best forwards in the comp. We play a team defence in our backline so we don't have too many direct match-ups, but Lynch and Riewoldt are very good players and have been for a long time.
"It (talk onfield) comes naturally a bit, I'm pretty vocal out there at times and it's probably one of my strengths.
"It's one of the reasons why the club brought me in, to bring a bit of that. With a young backline I've had to step up a bit in that department and I was lucky enough at Port Adelaide to play under some very good leaders like Tom Jonas and Hamish Hartlett."
Howard's full attention is on the Tigers, but he admitted he has thought about what a preliminary final clash against former club Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval would be like.
Port played Howard up forward at times, but his best football at the elite level has come in defence and the Saints have allowed him to cement a regular spot there.
"It's been good to come in and lock down a spot and play some OK footy at times ," he said.
"I've definitely thought about that (potential Port Adelaide clash). Obviously my full focus is on this weekend, but it would be pretty exciting to go back over there and play against Port Adelaide."
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