ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson's intimate knowledge of Port Adelaide is sure to be an advantage, but he's under no illusions about the daunting prospect of facing the Power at their Adelaide Oval 'Portress' on Saturday.
Richardson will lead the Saints into battle against his former club for the first time since he was lured to Seaford last November.
The appointment sparked some controversy given Richardson's deep inside knowledge of the Power's planning for 2014 and because he had two years still to run on his director of football role.
"That was just an awkward timing situation," Richardson said at Melbourne Airport on Friday.
"Obviously my role was a reasonably strategic one, so I'd been privy to conversations like list and draft and strategy with respect to the way the club was going to go forward.
"So that was always a little bit difficult."
Despite his insight into what makes the hard-running Power tick, planning to play the ladder leaders still wasn't straight-forward.
"The venue they play at – given the way they're playing – is probably becoming the hardest task in footy at the moment," Richardson said.
"Yes, I've got a bit of an understanding of the players, although there's some new guys there.
"They're playing slightly different in terms of their game style but it's going to be really exciting for our group."
St Kilda has handed developing tall forward Tom Lee his first game for the season after losing patience with Rhys Stanley and Arryn Siposs.
Crafty forward Adam Schneider could miss several weeks with a mysterious foot infection.
Port has made two changes to their selected side, with skipper Travis Boak and speedster Matt White ruled out with ankle injuries.
Sam Gray and Ben Newton come into the side, which is yet to be beaten at its new home ground.
Port has stunned the competition with its remarkable turnaround from cellar-dwellar to flag fancy under Ken Hinkley, not that Richardson ever doubted the talent at Alberton Oval.
"They're fitter, they're stronger, they're more organised. They appear to be more committed to defending as a group," Richardson said.
"They're clearly more advanced."
The Saints have crashed back to earth with a thud after five straight losses, while the Power are searching for their eighth win in a row.
Meanwhile, Richardson believes Jimmy Webster has copped his fair punishment by being made unavailable for selection for two weeks after an off-field incident during the bye.
"It is (disappointing), we're really strong on what's important to us as a footy club and if you're going to play for the Saints then you're going to behave appropriately," Richardson said.
"Clearly Jimmy, who's a fine young man, fell short of that in his break and paid the price. He forfeited his right to play in the team.
"This is basically an issue where a young bloke has probably been out a bit too late, he's had a bit too much to drink and made a poor decision.
"He was incredibly honest, came forward and let us know what happened.
"I'm sure he'll learn from it – we'd certainly hope he would – and he'll be a better person for it."
