Another week and another set of winners and losers.

Although the road to the last Saturday in September has narrowed ever so slightly, each of the competition's 18 teams still hold their destinies in their own hands.

Whether your side is undefeated, breaking even or without a win to start 2021, there are questions, both new and historic, that must be answered to secure a win this long weekend.

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St. Kilda

How does Ratten rectify his ruck slot?

To anyone that sat down and watched โ€˜Spud's Game' last week, one thing was abundantly clear โ€“ St. Kilda's back up ruck stocks are not cutting the mustard.

Pitted against the Nordic looking Max Gawn and the former first round draft pick, Luke Jackson, Paul Hunter and Shaun McKernan lost the hit out count 52-17.

It wasn't just in the centre circle and at stoppages around the ground that the demolition was done, with Melbourne's aforementioned pair combining for 28 disposals and nine marks. Conversely, the former South Adelaide Panther and the ex- Bomber accumulated 17 touches of the Sherrin and just a couple of grabs between them.

Despite these dismal numbers, the pair of new Saints are likely to earn a reprieve this Saturday evening, due to the Dons' dearth of big men.

St. Kilda has brilliant depth in most other positions, but with no announcement on Paddy Ryder's return and Rowan Marshal still some time away, Brett Ratten will either need to construct a new formula for stoppages or cross his fingers and hope the previous week is not repeated.

If the former Carlton coach choose to run with his rag tag crew of rucks again, a message to become involved around the ground must be delivered and heeded. However, if they cannot perform against Essendon's debutant and a pinch hitter this weekend, Plan C may need to be activated.

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