St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt has dismissed last year's heavy qualifying final loss to Geelong as a reliable reference point for Sunday's blockbuster at Etihad Stadium.

A nine-goal third quarter paved the way for an easy 58-point win for the Cats who would go on to surrender their title to Hawthorn in the premiership decider three weeks later.

Both Geelong and the Saints have recovered sufficiently from their September disappointments to remain undefeated after 13 rounds in an unprecedented start to 2009.

On Sunday, something's got to give, but Riewoldt's not convinced that form lines based on head-to-head clashes are an effective guide.

Riewoldt also believes his own sub-par performance against the Cats last time - he had only nine touches for just the one goal - would have no bearing on his confidence or motivation on Sunday.

"If we were judging this game on past history you would say we're no chance, but I think a lot's changed since then," said Riewoldt at Moorabbin on Wednesday

"We're certainly not referring to last year's game at all."

"I wasn't alone with my performance, the whole team struggled, but every week I go out and give my best and if sometimes that's not good enough then I can live with myself providing I've tried my hardest."

One significant change since last September is the Saints' recruitment of former Geelong assistant coach Leigh Tudor.

Riewoldt said he expects Tudor to play a leading role when planning and strategy come up later in the week.

Reiwoldt agreed with Geelong coach Mark Thompson's prediction that Sunday's game would be an aggressive affair and said the fact that both clubs are undefeated added an extra edge to their rivalry.

"I think (aggression)'s a trait that both sides have showed all year so I don't see why it would be any different this week," he said.

"They're a team that we really admire and we've got a lot of respect for, but we don't like any other team, whether it's Geelong or whoever it is - we don't like any of our opposition."

"We're excited about the opportunity to test ourselves against the benchmark of the competition, that's what it boils down to for us."

Asked where the match would be decided, Riewoldt said: "Every game is won and lost in the midfield."

"Certainly Geelong have got the best midfield over the past few years and I think we've really improved in that area this year, so that will be the key."

"I think our depth (has improved) and individually a few guys have improved themselves."

"Some younger guys have stepped up and some experienced players have improved as well, that's where our improvement's come from."