St Kilda and Carlton both come into their meeting on Saturday morning fresh and full of confidence after big wins last week.
The Saints knocked off the GWS Giants on Friday night footy last week, and it was arguably the best win they’ve had in this new era under Alan Richardson. It’s been a really solid fortnight of form by them – they smashed Hawthorn by 75 points in Launceston a week earlier. Most importantly, it has them at a 4-3 record, and nicely poised to make a strong case for finals footy in what’s left of the season. If they’re going to do that though they need to consistently brush aside the weaker teams of the comp, and today’s game against Carlton is the perfect example.
The Blues have actually been a halfway decent team in some respects this year, and have a surprisingly good 3-4 record after three rounds. Their defensive ethic and well-coached style of play has allowed them to get the drop on some teams if they don’t come into the match ready for a physical battle. That’s what happened to Collingwood last week – the Magpies’ one-dimensional gameplan couldn’t find a way past the Blues’ backline.
Maverick Weller and Luke Dunstan are in for the Saints this week, with Koby Stevens copping a ban and Nathan Wright dropped.
Carlton’s team gets younger with Zac Fisher and Jack Silvagni brought in this week at the expense of Sam Kerridge and Billie Smedts, both dropped.
Unlike some of the teams Carlton has managed to beat this year, the Saints are a side with great physical ability, and not likely to get caught out playing pretty football. They have won two in a row against the Blues and should win a third today, the only question is by how much.
St Kilda to cover the -24.5 line.