By JAKE BOURKE

Leigh Matthews usually gives pre-season form zero credibility.

But in the case of St Kilda, he’s making an exception.

The AFL legend said the Saints’ performance in defeat against Sydney in the final round of the JLT Series showed him they were going places.

‘St Kilda looked to be a team on the up,’ Matthews explained on 3AW.

‘They looked like they’ve got speed (and) they’ve got a couple of big bodied midfielders.

‘I thought (Tom) Hickey was really good in the ruck.

‘Remember, the Swans were top of the ladder at the end of last year and they’re still the team to beat, in my view.

‘But St Kilda just about got home.

‘That game was almost played like the games will be played in a week’s time.’

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