George
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Reimagine Moorabbin
- Aug 17, 2015
- 45,306
- 127,288
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
- Other Teams
- Phi Eagles & Phillies, Liverpool, PAO FC
Previous Meetings:
Round 7, 2018 - St.Kilda (9.13.67) lost to Melbourne (16.10.106)
Round 21, 2017 - Melbourne (14.12.96) defeated St.Kilda (10.12.72)
Round 1, 2017 - St.Kilda (13.12.90) lost to Melbourne (18.12.120)
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Preview
Melbourne v St.Kilda
After a thrilling come from behind victory in Round 13 against the Suns, St.Kilda had their mid-season bye over the weekend and will be refreshed and ready to start the second half of their season. It was an unbelievable game for the Saints last time out, coming from 39 points down late in the third term to steal victory at Metricon. St.Kilda young gun Jade Gresham was the man of the moment, slotting a goal on the run deep in the pocket with only seconds left.
Melbourne travelled across to Adelaide to face the Power on Friday night. Leading by 20 points midway through the third the Demons let one slip, with Port Adelaide storming home to take the 10 point win.
Let’s have a look at possible best 22s:
St.Kilda Best 22
B: Jarryn Geary, Nathan Brown, Dylan Roberton
HB: Shane Savage, Jake Carlisle, Jimmy Webster
C: Jack Sinclair, Jack Steele, Jack Newnes
HF: Blake Acres, Josh Bruce, Jack Billings
F: Jade Gresham, Paddy McCartin, Tim Membrey
Foll: Billy Longer, Seb Ross, Jack Steven
I/C: David Armitage, Koby Stevens, Sam Gilbert, Mav Weller
Melbourne Best 22
B: Neville Jetta, Oscar McDonald, Jake Lever
HB: Jayden Hunt, Joel Smith, Michael Hibberd
C: Dom Tyson, Nathan Jones, Christian Salem
HF: Alex Neal-Bullen, Tom McDonald, Christian Petracca
F: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Mitch Hannan
R: Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney
INT: Angus Brayshaw, Jake Melksham, Jordan Lewis, Cameron Pedersen
Medical Room
Two setbacks for the Saints, with defender Jimmy Webster playing just five minutes before going off with an adductor problem. Coach Alan Richardson said he would likely miss one match following the bye. Young defender Bailey Rice went off with concussion following a third-quarter head clash with Jack Martin and did not return.
For Melbourne it was Key forward Tom McDonald who will have scans on his chest, while defender Neville Jetta rolled his ankle as well as copping a nasty head knock in the last quarter. Both players finished the game and are expected to be fit for next week.
Preview
After 12 consecutive weeks without a victory a circuit breaker was much needed for the Saints as they try to ease the pressure on the club and particular in senior coach Alan Richardson. It didn't look great for most of the game for the visitors, as the Saints fell away badly and trailed by 39 points late in the third term. But the spirit in the never-say-die Saints never waned, and in the last quarter they produced their best football all season, kicking 6 goals to Gold Coast's zero to come from behind and win in the closing seconds. It was St.Kilda's biggest comeback from a 3 quarter time deficit in club history (31 points).
In a big win for the club it was tried and true midfielder Jack Steven who led the way, the prolific ball-winner amassing 28 disposals to go with his 12 clearances and 7 inside 60's in a best on ground performance.
Others who stood up included midfielders Seb Ross (33 disposals, 10 marks, 7 tackles), Jack Billings (27 touches, 6 marks, 4 tackles) and Jake Carlisle with 23 touches and 11 marks.
Last Friday night the Demons travelled to Adelaide to take on the Power.
Melbourne were good for most of the night but fell away late to let the Power back into the game and Port ended up winning by 10 points. Demons star ruckman Max Gawn was phenomenal for the visitors, with 53 hit-outs to go with 16 disposals, whilst midfielders Jack Viney, Clayton Oliver and Nathan Jones got plenty of it with 31, 28 and 28 touches respectively.
Melbourne have exceeded expectation this year as they continue their rise up the ladder. Having beaten the Saints in Round 7 earlier this year, the Dees also have recorded wins against Brisbane, North Melbourne, Essendon, Gold Coast, Carlton, Adelaide and Western Bulldogs show signs of improvement from a side looking to play finals for the first time since 2006, but losses against Geelong, Hawthorn, Richmond, Collingwood and Port Adelaide show that the Demons still need to take a big scalp to be considered a serious threat come September. A top four finish is paramount to Melbourne's success this year and they can't afford to drop any winnable games from here on in to make that happen.
Potential changes
St.Kilda captain Jarryn Geary looks set to return to the senior side after overcoming a calf injury against the Eagles a few weeks prior.
With St.Kilda's VFL affiliate Sandringham also having the week off, it looks as though this weekend could see minimal changes made to a side coming off their first win in 12 games.
Key Match-Ups
Key Positions
Melbourne forward Tom McDonald is in career best form and will need some work put into him from defenders Jake Carlisle and Nathan Brown if the Saints are to be a chance. Jesse Hogan can cause damage when he's on his game, and the combination of Christian Petracca & Jake Melksham pinch hitting around the ball are a dangerous duo.
Midfield Battle
Melbourne have one of the most promising young midfield groups in the league. Jack Viney, Clayton Oliver, Angus Brayshaw and Nathan Jones are leading from the front, and the likes of Jack Steven and Seb Ross will need to match them on the inside and outside to give the Saints crucial first use.
Tip
Whilst Melbourne haven't taken a big scalp of a top four side yet this year they are well placed at the midway point of the year and have been beating the teams below them, and with the Dees having beaten St.Kilda comfortably earlier in the year I don't see the result being any different. Melbourne and St.Kilda are at opposite ends of the spectrum this year and with the Demons pushing for their first finals appearance in 12 years they can't and wont let this game slip.
St.Kilda had a good win last weekend but were poor for large parts of the contest, a 30 minute fightback covering some of the cracks in Alan Richardson's method. I can't see us winning this one unfortunately.
Demons by 28 points.
Thoughts?
