In: Freeman Clark Paton
Out: Weller Gilbert Dunstan
B: McKenzie Brown Geary
HB: Savage Carlisle Coffield
Ruck: Hickey Steven Gresham
C: Billings Steele Acres
HF: Clark Battle Newnes
F: Lonie Marshall Membrey
Bench: Freeman Ross Sinclair Paton
____________________________________________________________
Previous Meetings:
Round 10, 2017 - Western Bulldogs (13.12.90) defeated St.Kilda (7.8.50)
Round 18, 2016 - Western Bulldogs (9.6.60) lost to St.Kilda (11.9.75)
Round 2, 2016 - St.Kilda (5.6.36) lost to Western Bulldogs (13.15.93)
______________________________________________________________
Preview
St.Kilda v Western Bulldogs
After a disappointing loss to Richmond last Friday night the Saints took the trip up to Sydney to face the Giants at Spotless Stadium. In a match marred by inaccurate kicking and generally sloppy play, the Saints never found a rhythm and lost in the end by 25 points.
A day later it was the Dogs facing the Power in Ballarat. Scoring was also an issue for the Bulldogs who managed just 5 goals from 9 scoring shots for the game and lost by 44 points with the Power running away with the victory after half time. This loss has mathematically eliminated the Bulldogs from finals contention for 2018.
Let’s have a look at possible best 22s:
St.Kilda Best 22
B: Jarryn Geary, Jake Carlisle, Nick Coffield
HB: Daniel McKenzie, Nathan Brown, Sam Gilbert
C: Jack Billings, Jack Steele, Jack Sinclair
HF: Josh Battle, Tim Membrey, Jack Newnes
F: Jade Gresham, Rowan Marshall, Maverick Weller
Foll: Tom Hickey, Sebastian Ross, Jack Steven
I/C: Shane Savage, Luke Dunstan, Blake Acres, Jack Lonie
Western Bulldogs Best 22
B: Marcus Adams, Jackson Trengove, Fletcher Roberts
HB: Dale Morris, Zaine Cordy, Jason Johannisen
C: Hayden Crozier, Jack Macrae, Patrick Lipinski
HF: Ed Richards, Josh Schache, Josh Dunkley
F: Lachie Hunter, Marcus Bontempelli, Aaron Naughton
Foll: Jordan Roughead, Mitch Honeychurch, Mitch Wallis
I/C: Toby McLean, Fergus Greene, Caleb Daniel, Brad Lynch
Medical Room
The Saints looked to have come through unscathed.
As for the Bulldogs, big man Jordan Roughead received a cut to the head but was bandaged up and sent back into the action.
Preview
St.Kilda's sloppy play reared it's ugly head once again on Saturday afternoon. Superb effort and intent marred by inaccurate kicking for goal and in general field play. After matching it with GWS for a half the Saints fell away in the third quarter and ultimately lost the game by 25 points.
Although it was a disappointing afternoon for the Saints, young star Jade Gresham continues to push his case for All-Australian selection after his 25 disposal, 5 mark & 2 goal performance earning him best on ground honours for the Saints.
Others who stood up included midfielders Jack Steele (24 disposals, 5 tackles - held Callan Ward to 11 disposals through 3 quarters), Jack Steven (27 touches, 5 tackles, 1 goal) & forward Tim Membrey (15 disposals, 10 marks, 2 goals)
On Sunday afternoon the Bulldogs arrived in Ballarat to take on the Power.
In what was a low scoring affair through the first half the Bulldogs held with the Power well, only trailing by 4 points at the main break. However it was the second half which will frustrate Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge - the Dogs kicking 1 goal after half time as the Power kicked away to record a comfortable 44 point win.
It has been a forgettable year for the 2016 premiers, with the Dogs suffering losses to GWS, West Coast (twice), Sydney, Fremantle, Adelaide, Collingwood, Melbourne (twice), Port Adelaide (twice), North Melbourne and Hawthorn. They have beaten Essendon, Carlton, Gold Coast, Brisbane & Geelong in what was their best win of the year - however it leaves them sitting adrift in 14th place with plenty of work to do.
Potential changes
Dashing half back flanker Jimmy Webster looks set to return from injury on Saturday night and will be a much needed inclusion for Alan Richardson's men. Jimmy is having a breakout season for the Saints this year.
Others who could come into the side to face the Bulldogs are David Armitage, Ed Phillips, and perhaps a debut for Nathan Freeman - who we have been harping on about for quite some time and his 35 disposal, 13 mark game in the VFL on Saturday against Box Hill does his chances of selection no harm at all.
Key Match-Ups
Macrae vs Steele
In a disappointing year for the Dogs, midfielder Jack Macrae is having a breakout season in the Red, White and Blue. Saints midfielder Jack Steele has taken a tagging role in the St.Kilda side as of late, and has had match ups with the likes of Dustin Martin and Patrick Cripps over the past fortnight. Look for Steele to head to Macrae in what will be a pivotal match up.
Forwards
Both St.Kilda and the Western Bulldogs have been very low scoring teams this year, with both forward lines seeming to have trouble generating any kind of scoreboard pressure throughout the year. Whichever forward line can function better on Saturday night will go a long way to determining the outcome of the game.
Tip
With both sides chances of finals mathematically finished, nothing but pride is on the line on Saturday night. I think that in all honesty we should be winning this game based on recent form. We have been sloppy but if we clean it up we should account for the Dogs who will be a tough opponent but in the end I think not good enough. I think it may be a close one.
Saints by 7 points.
Thoughts?
Out: Weller Gilbert Dunstan
B: McKenzie Brown Geary
HB: Savage Carlisle Coffield
Ruck: Hickey Steven Gresham
C: Billings Steele Acres
HF: Clark Battle Newnes
F: Lonie Marshall Membrey
Bench: Freeman Ross Sinclair Paton
____________________________________________________________
Previous Meetings:
Round 10, 2017 - Western Bulldogs (13.12.90) defeated St.Kilda (7.8.50)
Round 18, 2016 - Western Bulldogs (9.6.60) lost to St.Kilda (11.9.75)
Round 2, 2016 - St.Kilda (5.6.36) lost to Western Bulldogs (13.15.93)
______________________________________________________________
Preview
St.Kilda v Western Bulldogs
After a disappointing loss to Richmond last Friday night the Saints took the trip up to Sydney to face the Giants at Spotless Stadium. In a match marred by inaccurate kicking and generally sloppy play, the Saints never found a rhythm and lost in the end by 25 points.
A day later it was the Dogs facing the Power in Ballarat. Scoring was also an issue for the Bulldogs who managed just 5 goals from 9 scoring shots for the game and lost by 44 points with the Power running away with the victory after half time. This loss has mathematically eliminated the Bulldogs from finals contention for 2018.
Let’s have a look at possible best 22s:
St.Kilda Best 22
B: Jarryn Geary, Jake Carlisle, Nick Coffield
HB: Daniel McKenzie, Nathan Brown, Sam Gilbert
C: Jack Billings, Jack Steele, Jack Sinclair
HF: Josh Battle, Tim Membrey, Jack Newnes
F: Jade Gresham, Rowan Marshall, Maverick Weller
Foll: Tom Hickey, Sebastian Ross, Jack Steven
I/C: Shane Savage, Luke Dunstan, Blake Acres, Jack Lonie
Western Bulldogs Best 22
B: Marcus Adams, Jackson Trengove, Fletcher Roberts
HB: Dale Morris, Zaine Cordy, Jason Johannisen
C: Hayden Crozier, Jack Macrae, Patrick Lipinski
HF: Ed Richards, Josh Schache, Josh Dunkley
F: Lachie Hunter, Marcus Bontempelli, Aaron Naughton
Foll: Jordan Roughead, Mitch Honeychurch, Mitch Wallis
I/C: Toby McLean, Fergus Greene, Caleb Daniel, Brad Lynch
Medical Room
The Saints looked to have come through unscathed.
As for the Bulldogs, big man Jordan Roughead received a cut to the head but was bandaged up and sent back into the action.
Preview
St.Kilda's sloppy play reared it's ugly head once again on Saturday afternoon. Superb effort and intent marred by inaccurate kicking for goal and in general field play. After matching it with GWS for a half the Saints fell away in the third quarter and ultimately lost the game by 25 points.
Although it was a disappointing afternoon for the Saints, young star Jade Gresham continues to push his case for All-Australian selection after his 25 disposal, 5 mark & 2 goal performance earning him best on ground honours for the Saints.
Others who stood up included midfielders Jack Steele (24 disposals, 5 tackles - held Callan Ward to 11 disposals through 3 quarters), Jack Steven (27 touches, 5 tackles, 1 goal) & forward Tim Membrey (15 disposals, 10 marks, 2 goals)
On Sunday afternoon the Bulldogs arrived in Ballarat to take on the Power.
In what was a low scoring affair through the first half the Bulldogs held with the Power well, only trailing by 4 points at the main break. However it was the second half which will frustrate Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge - the Dogs kicking 1 goal after half time as the Power kicked away to record a comfortable 44 point win.
It has been a forgettable year for the 2016 premiers, with the Dogs suffering losses to GWS, West Coast (twice), Sydney, Fremantle, Adelaide, Collingwood, Melbourne (twice), Port Adelaide (twice), North Melbourne and Hawthorn. They have beaten Essendon, Carlton, Gold Coast, Brisbane & Geelong in what was their best win of the year - however it leaves them sitting adrift in 14th place with plenty of work to do.
Potential changes
Dashing half back flanker Jimmy Webster looks set to return from injury on Saturday night and will be a much needed inclusion for Alan Richardson's men. Jimmy is having a breakout season for the Saints this year.
Others who could come into the side to face the Bulldogs are David Armitage, Ed Phillips, and perhaps a debut for Nathan Freeman - who we have been harping on about for quite some time and his 35 disposal, 13 mark game in the VFL on Saturday against Box Hill does his chances of selection no harm at all.
Key Match-Ups
Macrae vs Steele
In a disappointing year for the Dogs, midfielder Jack Macrae is having a breakout season in the Red, White and Blue. Saints midfielder Jack Steele has taken a tagging role in the St.Kilda side as of late, and has had match ups with the likes of Dustin Martin and Patrick Cripps over the past fortnight. Look for Steele to head to Macrae in what will be a pivotal match up.
Forwards
Both St.Kilda and the Western Bulldogs have been very low scoring teams this year, with both forward lines seeming to have trouble generating any kind of scoreboard pressure throughout the year. Whichever forward line can function better on Saturday night will go a long way to determining the outcome of the game.
Tip
With both sides chances of finals mathematically finished, nothing but pride is on the line on Saturday night. I think that in all honesty we should be winning this game based on recent form. We have been sloppy but if we clean it up we should account for the Dogs who will be a tough opponent but in the end I think not good enough. I think it may be a close one.
Saints by 7 points.
Thoughts?
