The Sydney Swans will be preparing for a "well balanced" St Kilda outfit spurred on by the prospect of finals footy, according to assistant coach Henry Playfair.

Plenty will be on the line when the two clubs meet at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, the Swans and Saints' first meeting of 2016.

Sydney will be out to retain a top-two spot with three rounds remaining in the home and away season, while shock results of late has seen St Kilda suddenly enter the finals frame.

Regardless of the fact they need results to go their way, the Saints will remain focused on keeping their winning ways going in the hope the stars do align.

Form is on the Saints' side, having won four of the past five games.

What's been most impressive, according to Playfair, has been their even spread across the board, from a stout defence, speedy midfield and damaging forward line.

"They're a pretty accomplished team, right across the board they've got a lot of strengths," Playfair told SwansTV for this week's Coaches Corner.

"They can go quick when they need to, which we saw in their game against Carlton (last week), score heavily and then they can also possess the footy as well.

"We've got to be prepared for both of those as well as win it in the middle, which is obviously important for us every week."

St Kilda could make at least two changes ahead of Saturday's clash, with key forward Patty McCartin among those in the mix following a strong performance in the VFL.

McCartin would strengthen an already talented forward line featuring Josh Bruce, Nick Reiwoldt and former Swan Tim Membrey.

That trio, among others, have been keeping the defensive coach pretty busy this week.

Luckily for Playfair, he has the best ranked defensive unit in the competition at his disposal.

"They took 27 marks inside 50 last weekend," Playfair added.

"They've got some quality talls (as mentioned) which they match wilth good smalls in (Jade) Gresham, (Mav) Weller and (Darren) Minchington while (Blake) Acres goes down there as well.

"It'll be a big test for our bac skix or seven but one we're confident we'll be up for."

Sydney has won seven of the past eight encounters between the two sides with St Kilda's last win coming in Round 9, 2012.

They last met in Round 22 last season. Dan Hannebery collected 39 disposals and Isaac Heeney finished with four goals.