The Collingwood Magpies and St Kilda Saints will both be looking to claim a crucial second win of the 2017 AFL Season when they meet at Etihad Stadium in Round 4.
Both of these teams started the season in disappointing from, going 0-2 in their first two games, and then both notched their first win of the year last week.
Collingwood were valiant against the Western Bullldogs in Round 1 but ultimately bettered, then kicked themselves out of the game against Richmond in Round 2.
However on Friday night last week they fought hard to record a slim 1-point win over last years grand finalists the Sydney Swans, breaking their drought.
St Kilda were badly beaten by their fellow improving rivals Melbourne in Round 1 and then couldn’t keep hold of a lead against West Coast in Round 2, two demoralising defeats.
They got the win they needed to get against the Brisbane Lions in Round 3 but it would be fair to say they haven’t beaten a team of real substance just yet.
This week the Pies have Jamie Elliott back for his first game in more than a year, and have dumped free agency recruit Chris Mayne to make way.
St Kilda have brought back David Armitage and will debut draftee Ben Long, with Paddy McCartin and Shane Savage dropped to make way.
The notable absentee for St Kilda however is Jack Steven, their three-time best-and-fairest winner.
Without him in the side it’s going to be difficult for their midfield to better that of Collingwood’s, which boasts the likes of Scott Pendlebury and Adam Treloar.
Given St Kilda’s forward line is vastly more productive than Collingwood’s that doesn’t rule them out of a potential win, but the Pies are certainly favourites.
$1.73 for them to win, $1.92 for them to be a -4.5 points line, or $2.40 for them to win by 1-39 points all look like potentially good value.