Game Day Round 20, 2018: St.Kilda v Western Bulldogs *NATHAN FREEMAN'S DEBUT*

[George]

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)
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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?​

 

[George]

 

[Jade Buddha]

Cometh the hour......

 

[Jughead77]

After 1718 days, the day has finally come. Gluck freezer! Can't wait for tonight.

 

[Sir Skid]

Going this week for Freezers first game.
Nice and close to boundary wing/flank. Will join in the cheering every time he touches the ball.
Even if someone handballs it into the back of his head will cheer that too.

Go Freezer, enjoy mate!

 

[bergholt]

Par for Freeman tonight?

I'd say 10-15 touches would be a bit disappointing

15-20 touches would be decent

20+ touches would be very good

 

[Verdun66]

Freeman getting through the game would be fine. Anything more a bonus.

Good luck to him. Great story that I hope has a happy ending.

 

[pebblesofsand]

Par for Freeman tonight?

I'd say 10-15 touches would be a bit disappointing

15-20 touches would be decent

20+ touches would be very good

Cut the boy some slack

After 5 years of waiting and frustration a first game of 10 to 15 possessions will be excellent

 

[Hugh Jars]

Freeman gets through unscathed & contributes to a win, that’ll do me. Meanwhile interesting they used the moorabbin guernsey in the pic of his locker, does that mean we’re wearing it tonight?

 

[Joffaboy]

Cut the boy some slack

After 5 years of waiting and frustration a first game of 10 to 15 possessions will be excellent

1 or 100 I don't care. This is when supporters barrack unconditionally.

Let's just rejoice on this young bloke getting out there

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Grav]

Can’t wait for the young fella to get out there, a lot of people would have thrown in the towel with everything that has happened to him. Goes to show, if you believe you can, then no matter what, you bloody well can.
Now is the time to go out there and run FREE young MAN, run free.

 

[Palantine]

He said himself when interviewed he didn't know if his speed was still there or not, so it will be interesting to see if he can do what it said on the tin. For me can't wait to see him get his first touch, and regardless of possessions, would like to see a highlight or two of what will become; some dash, good ball use etc...

 

[Persevering Saint]

 

[Cornish]

I reckon we win this one by 3 goals, well i hope we at least win it

 

[tomjoad]

Whether Freemans speed is there or not is irrelevant, because he will still be faster than many in the team. Hope he plays every game from here to the end of the season, gets a bit of confidence with the speed of the game itself and reads it so well come next season his speed becomes secondary to his intuition. Natural players are better than athletes.

 

[The Jack]

We really should win this game. If we don't it will be extremely disappointing. Our form has been ok apart from the obvious finishing. Dogs have struggled to score after half time recently.

 

[Grav]

He said himself when interviewed he didn't know if his speed was still there or not, so it will be interesting to see if he can do what it said on the tin. For me can't wait to see him get his first touch, and regardless of possessions, would like to see a highlight or two of what will become; some dash, good ball use etc...

Imagine him kicking a goal, it will bring the roof down.

 

[VDS66]

Can’t wait for the young fella to get out there, a lot of people would have thrown in the towel with everything that has happened to him. Goes to show, if you believe you can, then no matter what, you bloody well can.
Now is the time to go out there and run FREE young MAN, run free.

so much this!

He'll never die wondering like 98% of the human race...

 

[Circus]

Surely not! Did Freezer break his toe by walking into the shower door this morning??

 

[GTrains Mullet]

Surely not! Did Freezer break his toe by walking into the shower door this morning??

 

[Diehard Saint]

Surely not! Did Freezer break his toe by walking into the shower door this morning??

Mods, ban the man!

 

[Sir Skid]

Anyone got an idea of the predicted crowd numbers today pre Freezer being named?
Thought I saw it somewhere a few weeks ago.

Interesting to compare to actual now he's finally going to debut. Reckon it will drag a few more in.

 

[Circus]

Mods, ban the man!

And deservedly so! I used to have a recurring nightmare that Kosi accidentally killed Rooey by knocking his head clean off while losing his own leg in the process!!
Hope Freezer inspires a win and that he leaves the ground a happy and satisfied man!!!
Go Sainters!

 

[Pardon me]

Kid would be nervous as hell. He’ll be gassed from pacing around before he even gets to the ground.
Best of luck to you Freeze you’ve been amazing in mental fortitude to keep the dream burning.

Get through the game and it’s a win, disposal count is irrelevant*



*17 and 2 goals for mine


Also- grats to Koby on his career, terrible result for him but family and heath are the priority.

 

[Sab22]

Freeman all of the sudden turns into flash!!!