"But there are still a lot of areas of both our game plans that are similar, such as the contested football and working hard around the stoppages. So there are going to be some crucial match-ups in those areas.”

Ruckman Michael Gardiner is a key in that area for Ross Lyon’s side but he may not be rushed back from injury for the clash.

Swans ruckman Darren Jolly has enjoyed a stellar year and will hope to exploit Gardiner's absence on Saturday.

"It’s a good time for us, we’ve got some young guys coming through and some old hands who’ve played against St Kilda before and had good match ups," Bolton said.

Adam Goodes said that while the Swans were underdogs, it gave them an opportunity to play a game with a finals-like atmosphere.

The dual Brownlow Medallist conceded that winning would be hugely difficult for the 11th placed Swans.

But he said that by doing the right things individually and as a team, they would have their best shot of defeating the flag favourites who are averaging only 40 inside 50s against in 2009.

"All their good players are in great form and they’re a team that puts copious amounts of pressure on you," he said.

"We are going to be underdogs, there’s no doubt. But we’ve got to be hopeful that we can put a game-plan to the Saints that can really challenge them.

"If we can go about the process on Saturday night and really mix it with those guys it will give us a lot of confidence going forward.

"And if we’re not up to it, we’ll find out."

In selection news, Jared Crouch has been named in the Sydney Swans squad for the Saints game while Kristin Thornton drops out.