I MAKE no apologies for the passion, love and belief I have in the club I played for, was a director of and recently coached over a span of 18 years.

It is against that backdrop that I have been deeply hurt and offended by the comments made during the week by the club president and some members of the media.

It will not be difficult for the voracious supporters that love our great game to understand the level of passion and commitment you can possess for your team.

My team is St Kilda — unashamedly — and I am very proud to have represented it. My patience — which is often not my strong point — has been sorely tested this week. Even more so as the allegations are without substance. Individuals may think they will be advantaged by going to the press to air their views. But St Kilda can only be damaged by private matters and disputes being played out in the media.

St Kilda is capable of putting 50,000 bums on seats at every game. It has the capacity to make a sustained impact in the competition. The character, unity and integrity of the playing group will overcome all challenges.

The coach, Ross Lyon, has shown tremendous leadership and strength through a very trying initiation. He is an extremely capable individual and will steer the club through this difficult period. I have consistently said that I do not want to conduct a slanging match via the media, and I stand by that.

Now on to more important things. Today the Saints have a defining game ahead of them. The Kangaroos have led the way in dealing with adversity; they have personified the "backs-to-the-wall" mentality over recent years. I have no doubt the Saints will come out firing following the dramas of the week and in a show of support for their coach. That's what they are like — they really care about their club and their people. This can also be said of the Kangaroos when they recently made a statement on behalf of their coach Dean Laidley.

Dean has won respect and admiration for the way he has conducted himself through difficult times, which has included talk about relocation to the Gold Coast and some boardroom politics.

Interestingly, these issues are similar to what is confronting the Saints with its redevelopment and possible relocation to another municipality and the recently announced challenge to the board. These types of interferences, whilst frustrating and annoying for the coaches and players, can sometimes have an up side. They realign thinking and revitalise the minds of players.

Fraser Gehrig was getting frustrated last week and seems to me to be one game away from a bagful. He enjoys playing the Kangaroos, loves Telstra Dome and there doesn't seem to be a Kangas player who can curb his precocious talents. That will incite Stephen Milne who is usually inspired into action by the 'G-Train's' exploits. Michael Firrito has been in sterling form, but he will need to play his pants off to negate Milne.

Justin Koschitzke has relished his role in the ruck and is showing significant improvement from his extended playing time. Hamish McIntosh is much improved but does not have the athleticism of Kosi.

I can see Riewoldt playing through the midfield engaging a mismatched player and dragging him forward — if nothing else to unsettle the Kangaroos' defence. This could mean Gehrig will need to juggle a selfless role to allow Riewoldt to take advantage of the mismatch deep. I can't see the Kangaroo forwards imposing themselves on the Saints defence.

The Kangaroos are very even and play a great, persistent team game. Their secret is not to rely on matchwinners, but to grind their opponents into submission through sustained gut running and extreme pressure. I think the Saints will match them in this area and have the power players to take advantage of their efforts. The midfields will be an exercise in negating influential players, an enthralling arm wrestle that will have a bearing on supply to their respective scorers.

Corey Jones will continue to make a significant impact on games if he is not afforded the respect he has earned lately. Shannon Grant and Brent Harvey have rejuvenated form and influence and will attract close attention from the shut-down brigade of Jayden Attard and Steven Baker.

Whatever the result I can guarantee an action-packed two hours that will get the Saints back on track or solidify the Kangaroos in the final eight.