Ross Lyon has declared "the gloves are off" as St Kilda seek to end a losing streak in Geelong that dates back more than a quarter of a century.
The Saints have not won at Kardinia Park - currently known as GMHBA Stadium - since a Tim Watson-coached side kicked six final-quarter goals to overrun the Cats in June 1999.
They have a barren 0-12 record at the venue since then, with an average losing margin of 45 points.
But Lyon's men came close to breaking the drought last season when they lost a nail-biter by eight points.
The 58-year-old coach, who engineered some famous victories in Geelong while in charge of Fremantle, has gone back to the well with his "anywhere, anytime" mantra this week.
"Good teams play on anything, so we want to be a good team," Lyon said ahead of the Saints' trip to Geelong on Sunday.
"There's certainly no trepidation. We're leaning into this.
"We know we're going to play a top-flight team but I think they've lost a couple down there.
"So yeah, the gloves are off. We're up for the fight."
Lyon is expected to send Callum Wilkie to Geelong's Coleman Medal leader Jeremy Cameron, who has kicked 53 goals in 17 games this season.
Cameron managed just one major when the Saints upset the Cats by seven points at Marvel Stadium in round two.
Wilkie will likely get the job again in his 150-game milestone appearance.
"I was hoping Jeremy wasn't going to play," Lyon said with a grin.
"He's played on Jeremy a couple of times, it's been good battles.
"That's what everyone goes to watch, isn't it? The really high-level performers, ultimately, and both players are that.
"So potentially it (the match-up) can happen."
Lyon confirmed St Kilda small forward Dan Butler will not play again this season, having had an operation on his dislocated elbow on Thursday night.
