The Bulldogs and the Saints have had some engaging encounters in recent times, and Saturday looks set to be another.
The Dogs have been losing more than winning lately and come into this one having fallen short against Geelong last Friday. The reigning premiers are in an interesting place – yes, they’re 5-4 and in the final eight, but they’ve been a shadow of the side that thrilled us in last year’s finals series. Three of their losses for the season have come in the last four games, and their only win in that time was by less than a goal against Richmond.
St Kilda are just one rung below them on the ladder, also 5-4. In fact, the gap between the two teams is 0.6 percentage points.
Luke Beveridge has been trying to arrest the Doggies’ form slump with some changes to the side, and that is again the case this week. Big forwards Jack Redpath and Travis Cloke have both been cut from the side, and Lukas Webb has also been dropped. Jake Stringer does come back into the side this week however and the Dogs are debuting ruckman Tim English, which will give Tom Boyd license to play forward. With Stewart Cramieri also ruled out for the rest of the year, the Dogs forward line is going to be one that is small and a little undermanned. Shane Biggs is their other inclusion.
St Kilda are also going a little small up forward – Nick Riewoldt is out with his knee flaring up, but they’ve chosen not to bring back Josh Bruce. Luke Dunstan has been dropped, Shane Savage and Darren Minchington are their two inclusions for the week.
The Saints are $2.75 outsiders in this match which is surprising given that their form has arguably been the better of the two sides’ recently. We’re splitting our bet on this one as $3.30 for the Saints by 1-39 is the best value available and our other half-stake goes on the Saints +15.5 at 1.92.