Preview St Kilda v Western Bulldogs (Marvel), Sunday Jul, 21 4:40PM // PREVIEW Rd 18

[Chief]

AFL Fixtures and Results - AFL.com.au

AFL fixtures, results and scores from the Toyota AFL Premiership Season, NAB Women's and State Leagues seasons by round.

www.afl.com.au

Stream AFL Live to any device - 14 days free​

Where and when: Marvel Stadium, Sunday July 21, 4.40pm AEST

TV, radio and online: Click here for broadcast guide

What it means for St Kilda: A fresh start. It's been inevitable for a while that Alan Richardson wouldn't be coaching next year. That speculation will be gone now and the club will hope to receive the bounce that often seems to happen when an interim, in this case Brett Ratten, is placed in charge.

What it means for Western Bulldogs: At 8-8, making the top eight is a genuine possibility. However, the Dogs' percentage of 94.8 is a fair way behind their rivals. Making up at least some of that margin would be significant for their finals chances.

The stat: Interim coaches are 2-0 in their first game in charge this season.

The match-up: Josh Dunkley v Jack Steele
St Kilda's stopper could go to Marcus Bontempelli, but Dunkley makes more sense as a match-up, since he has similar physical characteristics to Steele. Considering how dominant Dunkley was against Melbourne, anything Steele can do to keep the Bulldog quiet would go a long way to the Saints emerging victorious.

It’s a big week for: Luke Beveridge
Missing finals for three successive years following a flag is something the Dogs coach would not be happy to see. He's contracted until the end of 2020 and the club has made noises about extending that deal, so he's not under significant pressure, but a win would be critical for their top-eight chances considering the club's tough run home.

Big call: The combined tally of behinds to double the combined tally of goals.

Prediction: Western Bulldogs by 14 points

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
More By Dinny Navaratnam

 

[M Malice]

Any chance the Saints get the Dogs coming off a sacked coach bump?

 

[BallaratBulldog]

Any chance the Saints get the Dogs coming off a sacked coach bump?

They would have been a chance regardless, just find it hard to think we will stay consistent. Paticularly if we kick 1.8 in a quarter again.

 

[AFDogs]

Any chance the Saints get the Dogs coming off a sacked coach bump?

Massive chance. Saints are bogey side for us as it is.

 

[Mofra]

Yep this has danger game written all over it, especially if the Bont doesn't quite get up for it.
Hopefully we're switched on because I'd expect the Saints to come out all guns blazing.

 

[Chief]

Yep this has danger game written all over it, especially if the Bont doesn't quite get up for it.
Hopefully we're switched on because I'd expect the Saints to come out all guns blazing.

New coach with nothing to lose...

 

[mattwa]

Dogs by 40 we will put a team away and continue the momentum. Saints have too many out and midfield depth isnt there

 

[hutchy31]

Dogs by 40 we will put a team away and continue the momentum. Saints have too many out and midfield depth isnt there

Thought similarly in rd 3 - that worked out well.

This has got 69-62 or a similar score written all over it.

 

[ROOINYOU]

Dogs should get up here comfortably.
25 points.

 

[joop]

Massive chance. Saints are bogey side for us as it is.

You’ve won 4 out of the last 5 against us including the last 2 by more than 6 goals...

 

[Bulldog1954]

I was a lot more confident prior to Richo moving on. Both sides butcher chances, but i'm hopeful our midfield should be able to create more chances then St Kilda's. Libber and Daniel playing helps hugely too.

 

[ossie_21]

Saints by plenty, Bruce to kick 7 & Seb Ross back to form with 35+