TonyK
CibbuanoRound ten preview: St Kilda v Melbourne
May 29th 2009 15:49
VENUE and TIME: Carrara Oval, Saturday 30 May, 7.10pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Melbourne 118, St Kilda 79, Drawn 1
LAST TIME: St Kilda 19.15 (129) def Melbourne 7.8 (50), Round 10 2008 at Etihad Stadium
RECENT HISTORY: St Kilda has won four of its past six against Melbourne.
MEDICAL ROOM: St Kilda is virtually at full-strength with Xavier Clarke the only notable absentee with a season-ending knee injury. For the Demons, lively small forward Austin Wonaeamirri (knee) is still four to six weeks away from resuming while promising young defender Colin Garland is sidelined indefinitely with a foot injury. John Meesen (foot) and youngster Sam Blease (fractured leg) are out for the remainder of the season.
FORM: St Kilda has been tested in the past fortnight by Essendon and Brisbane but remains on top of the AFL ladder with nine wins from as many starts. Melbourne has been very competitive in recent times but they have just one win to their name.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Brent Moloney vs. Nick Dal Santo
Dal Santo was instrumental in his side’s 79-point demolition of Melbourne in round 10 last year, helping himself to 28 possessions, one goal and nine inside 50’s in a performance that earned him the two Brownlow medal votes.
The 25-year-old is damaging with his ability to set up scoring opportunities for his teammates with his clean delivery of the football in the forward line.
If the Demons are going to have any hope of containing St Kilda’s multi-pronged attack they will need to keep Dal Santo quiet.
With Melbourne’s number one midfield stopper in Clint Bartram still out of the side you would expect Moloney to go head-to-head with Dal Santo.
Moloney, who was beaten by Hawthorn midfielder Jordan Lewis last weekend, will need to be switched on defensively and not give Dal Santo any time or space otherwise he will tear the Demons to shreds with his clean foot skills.
Melbourne will also need the former Geelong midfielder, who has averaged 25 disposals per game so far this season, to win his fair share of the football in order to make the classy Saints midfielder accountable.
Clinton Jones vs. Aaron Davey
Davey failed to have his usual impact in the loss to the Hawks, racking up just 17 possessions - well down on his season average of 24 disposals.
The 25-year-old will be keen to bounce back with a big performance and will need to be watched closely.
Like Dal Santo, Davey continually creates scoring opportunities for his forwards with his clean use of the football.
The Saints will be keen to limit his influence on the contest as the Demons will struggle to receive enough quality supply to be competitive without him having an impact.
Jones claimed another major scalp last weekend, restricting Brisbane star Travis Johnstone to just 11 possessions.
Expect Jones to be given the task of tagging the classy Davey in what shapes as being a pivotal duel.
Jones, who is ranked first at the Saints for tackles per game this season, will apply relentless pressure all night and not give Davey any time or space in which to dispose of the football cleanly.
Stefan Martin vs. Nick Riewoldt
Riewoldt was instrumental in his side’s convincing win over the Demons in round 10 last year with 21 possessions, 13 marks and three goals in a performance that earned him the two Brownlow medal votes.
The St Kilda skipper is currently in All-Australian form and will need to be contained if Melbourne is going to have any chance of causing a massive upset.
Martin has the height and mobility to match the hard-leading Riewoldt and will be given first crack at the Saints star.
The Demons are ranked 15th in the AFL for tackles per game with an average of 51.
They will need to improve their pressure skills and prevent the likes of Brendon Goddard, Leigh Montagna and Dal Santo from delivering the football cleanly inside 50 otherwise Riewoldt will dominate as he is virtually unstoppable on the lead.
Sam Gilbert vs. Colin Sylvia
Sylvia played arguably his best game for the club last weekend, racking up a game-high 37 possessions and booting four goals.
The challenge now for Sylvia will be to back it up with another good performance - something which he has struggled to do so far in his 78-game career.
The Demons will be keen to quell his influence on the contest as he is capable of booting goals quickly - highlighted by his three majors in six minutes against the Hawks.
Gilbert has taken has game to another level this season and will most likely be given the job on the enigmatic 23-year-old.
Expect Gilbert, who has averaged just under 22 disposals per game so far this season, to run off Sylvia at every available opportunity and try and hurt him on the rebound.
If Sylvia is going to have any chance of having an impact he will need his teammates to be quick and clean with their use of the football otherwise the Saints will be able to push numbers back and punish the Demons on the rebound.
VERDICT: St Kilda has shown signs of vulnerability in the past fortnight but even if they are slightly off their game on Saturday night it is highly unlikely that they will be beaten as Melbourne lacks the class and the ability to play at the same level for four quarters to make the Saints pay. The Demons will be competitive once again but the Saints simply have too many winners on each line for Dean Bailey’s men to contain. Saints by 38 points.
ST KILDA v MELBOURNE
ST KILDA
B: Farren Ray, Jason Blake, Zac Dawson
HB: Steven Baker, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Raphael Clarke, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Stephen Milne, Nick Riewoldt, Adam Schneider
F: Lenny Hayes, Justin Koschitzke, Sam Gilbert
Foll: Michael Gardiner, Clint Jones, Leigh Montagna
I/C: Jarryn Geary, James Gwilt, Steven King, Andrew McQualter
Emg: Jason Gram, David Armitage, Luke Miles
No change
MELBOURNE
B: Matthew Whelan, Matthew Warnock, Jared Rivers
HB: James Frawley, Stefan Martin, Aaron Davey
C: Jack Grimes, Cale Morton, Brock McLean
HF: Colin Sylvia, Brad Miller, Daniel Bell
F: Brad Green, Matthew Bate, Cameron Bruce
Foll: Mark Jamar, Brent Moloney, James McDonald
I/C: Paul Johnson, Addam Maric, Nathan Jones, Jamie Bennell
Emg: Kyle Cheney, Lynden Dunn, Ricky Petterd
In: Jamar, Bell
Out: Ricky Petterd, Russell Robertson
HEAD TO HEAD: Melbourne 118, St Kilda 79, Drawn 1
LAST TIME: St Kilda 19.15 (129) def Melbourne 7.8 (50), Round 10 2008 at Etihad Stadium
RECENT HISTORY: St Kilda has won four of its past six against Melbourne.
MEDICAL ROOM: St Kilda is virtually at full-strength with Xavier Clarke the only notable absentee with a season-ending knee injury. For the Demons, lively small forward Austin Wonaeamirri (knee) is still four to six weeks away from resuming while promising young defender Colin Garland is sidelined indefinitely with a foot injury. John Meesen (foot) and youngster Sam Blease (fractured leg) are out for the remainder of the season.
FORM: St Kilda has been tested in the past fortnight by Essendon and Brisbane but remains on top of the AFL ladder with nine wins from as many starts. Melbourne has been very competitive in recent times but they have just one win to their name.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Brent Moloney vs. Nick Dal Santo
Dal Santo was instrumental in his side’s 79-point demolition of Melbourne in round 10 last year, helping himself to 28 possessions, one goal and nine inside 50’s in a performance that earned him the two Brownlow medal votes.
The 25-year-old is damaging with his ability to set up scoring opportunities for his teammates with his clean delivery of the football in the forward line.
If the Demons are going to have any hope of containing St Kilda’s multi-pronged attack they will need to keep Dal Santo quiet.
With Melbourne’s number one midfield stopper in Clint Bartram still out of the side you would expect Moloney to go head-to-head with Dal Santo.
Moloney, who was beaten by Hawthorn midfielder Jordan Lewis last weekend, will need to be switched on defensively and not give Dal Santo any time or space otherwise he will tear the Demons to shreds with his clean foot skills.
Melbourne will also need the former Geelong midfielder, who has averaged 25 disposals per game so far this season, to win his fair share of the football in order to make the classy Saints midfielder accountable.
Clinton Jones vs. Aaron Davey
Davey failed to have his usual impact in the loss to the Hawks, racking up just 17 possessions - well down on his season average of 24 disposals.
The 25-year-old will be keen to bounce back with a big performance and will need to be watched closely.
Like Dal Santo, Davey continually creates scoring opportunities for his forwards with his clean use of the football.
The Saints will be keen to limit his influence on the contest as the Demons will struggle to receive enough quality supply to be competitive without him having an impact.
Jones claimed another major scalp last weekend, restricting Brisbane star Travis Johnstone to just 11 possessions.
Expect Jones to be given the task of tagging the classy Davey in what shapes as being a pivotal duel.
Jones, who is ranked first at the Saints for tackles per game this season, will apply relentless pressure all night and not give Davey any time or space in which to dispose of the football cleanly.
Stefan Martin vs. Nick Riewoldt
Riewoldt was instrumental in his side’s convincing win over the Demons in round 10 last year with 21 possessions, 13 marks and three goals in a performance that earned him the two Brownlow medal votes.
The St Kilda skipper is currently in All-Australian form and will need to be contained if Melbourne is going to have any chance of causing a massive upset.
Martin has the height and mobility to match the hard-leading Riewoldt and will be given first crack at the Saints star.
The Demons are ranked 15th in the AFL for tackles per game with an average of 51.
They will need to improve their pressure skills and prevent the likes of Brendon Goddard, Leigh Montagna and Dal Santo from delivering the football cleanly inside 50 otherwise Riewoldt will dominate as he is virtually unstoppable on the lead.
Sam Gilbert vs. Colin Sylvia
Sylvia played arguably his best game for the club last weekend, racking up a game-high 37 possessions and booting four goals.
The challenge now for Sylvia will be to back it up with another good performance - something which he has struggled to do so far in his 78-game career.
The Demons will be keen to quell his influence on the contest as he is capable of booting goals quickly - highlighted by his three majors in six minutes against the Hawks.
Gilbert has taken has game to another level this season and will most likely be given the job on the enigmatic 23-year-old.
Expect Gilbert, who has averaged just under 22 disposals per game so far this season, to run off Sylvia at every available opportunity and try and hurt him on the rebound.
If Sylvia is going to have any chance of having an impact he will need his teammates to be quick and clean with their use of the football otherwise the Saints will be able to push numbers back and punish the Demons on the rebound.
VERDICT: St Kilda has shown signs of vulnerability in the past fortnight but even if they are slightly off their game on Saturday night it is highly unlikely that they will be beaten as Melbourne lacks the class and the ability to play at the same level for four quarters to make the Saints pay. The Demons will be competitive once again but the Saints simply have too many winners on each line for Dean Bailey’s men to contain. Saints by 38 points.
ST KILDA v MELBOURNE
ST KILDA
B: Farren Ray, Jason Blake, Zac Dawson
HB: Steven Baker, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Raphael Clarke, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Stephen Milne, Nick Riewoldt, Adam Schneider
F: Lenny Hayes, Justin Koschitzke, Sam Gilbert
Foll: Michael Gardiner, Clint Jones, Leigh Montagna
I/C: Jarryn Geary, James Gwilt, Steven King, Andrew McQualter
Emg: Jason Gram, David Armitage, Luke Miles
No change
MELBOURNE
B: Matthew Whelan, Matthew Warnock, Jared Rivers
HB: James Frawley, Stefan Martin, Aaron Davey
C: Jack Grimes, Cale Morton, Brock McLean
HF: Colin Sylvia, Brad Miller, Daniel Bell
F: Brad Green, Matthew Bate, Cameron Bruce
Foll: Mark Jamar, Brent Moloney, James McDonald
I/C: Paul Johnson, Addam Maric, Nathan Jones, Jamie Bennell
Emg: Kyle Cheney, Lynden Dunn, Ricky Petterd
In: Jamar, Bell
Out: Ricky Petterd, Russell Robertson
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