St Kilda stalwart Callum Wilkie will want some "dirty ball" to help extinguish the AFL's hottest boot, GWS ace Jesse Hogan.
Saints coach Ross Lyon is backing his largely unsung defensive hero to halt Hogan's stunning scoring since returning to AFL ranks.
The reigning Coleman medallist slotted nine goals last weekend, following four in his comeback match after breaking a thumb during pre-season when jamming the digit in a door.
Lyon says if Wilkie isn't helped by up-field pressure, there will be trouble in Sunday's Gather Round clash at Norwood Oval in Adelaide.
"It's about system and effort," Lyon said of stopping Hogan.
"You could have David Dench down there - you have got to put pressure on the ball; if it's coming in clean, it would be really difficult."
Wilkie is far removed from the dashing Dench, North Melbourne's star of the 1970s and 80s who some regard as the greatest fullback ever.
But Lyon says the 136-gamer Wilkie has the nous to overcome giving away more than 10kg in weight and four centimetres in height to Hogan.
"He's got great craft, great body work," Lyon said of Wilkie.
"There's a lot goes into making great players - he's courageous, he's got good skills.
"But again, he needs some dirty ball in really.
"And it's a complimentary team, a bit of team defence to help."
Hogan's slick return from injury has surprised Giants coach Adam Kingsley, who is preparing for Wilkie to shadow his attacking trump card.
"You expected, given he hadn't trained or played for three weeks, that he wouldn't be seeing it like he is or marking it like he is," Kingsley said.
"He's a meticulous preparer so he has got himself ready to go and his last two games have been terrific for us."
Kinglsey noted the importance of the Wilkie-Hogan duel given Norwood Oval's narrow, smaller dimensions than most AFL grounds.
"Again another tough challenge (for Hogan)," he said.
"A narrower ground over at Norwood so the ball probably comes to him a little bit more.
"I am sure they will put more time into him, try and support whoever plays on him, probably Wilkie I expect - and he's a fantastic player in himself.
"So it's going to be another tough match-up for Jesse but we know his quality."
Both clubs travel to Adelaide with three wins and a loss this season.
