TonyK
CibbuanoRound three preview: St Kilda v Collingwood
April 8th 2010 13:54
VENUE and TIME: Etihad Stadium, Friday April 9, 7.40pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 206, Collingwood 149, St Kilda 56, Draw 1
LAST TIME: St Kilda 12.8 (80) def Collingwood 7.10 (52), 1st QF at the MCG
RECENT HISTORY: The Saints have won their past three matches against Collingwood.
FORM: The Saints backed up their hard-fought win over Sydney with a 104-point demolition of a hapless North Melbourne side at Etihad Stadium last Saturday night. Like the Saints, Collingwood is unbeaten after two rounds but their two wins were at different ends of the spectrum. The Magpies were ultra-impressive in their 36-point win over the Western Bulldogs before scraping home by the barest of margins against a Melbourne side that has won the past two wooden spoons.
MEDICAL ROOM: Star St Kilda defender Sam Fisher returns from an ankle injury sustained in the NAB Cup grand final but Jack Steven (foot) and Jesse Smith (hamstring) are still unavailable. The Magpies welcome back veteran defender Simon Prestigiacomo and midfielder Shane O’Bree who both missed the match against Melbourne with a quad injury and virus respectively. Ben Johnson will be sidelined for up to a month after injuring his knee against the Demons while Heath Shaw is also out with a back injury. Cameron Wood (finger), Brad Dick (shoulder) and Josh Thomas (calf) remain on the sidelines.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Clinton Jones vs. Dane Swan
Swan may have collected 21 possessions against Melbourne but he didn’t have his usual influence.
When the 26-year-old is up and firing he is able to hurt sides with his ability to set up scoring opportunities for his teammates and also have an impact on the scoreboard himself.
If the Magpies are going to have any hope of kicking a winning score against a St Kilda defence that was the best in the AFL last season and shows no signs of being any less frugal in 2010 they will need Swan to have an impact in the middle.
However, his task won’t be an easy one as he will be tagged by Jones who restricted North Melbourne skipper Brent Harvey to a meagre five disposals last weekend.
It is vital for the Pies that Swan runs hard and pushes forward otherwise Jones will dictate terms and dominate.
Simon Prestigiacomo vs. Nick Riewoldt
Riewoldt has enjoyed a stellar start to the season, booting 11 goals in two games - seven of which came against the Kangaroos.
The St Kilda skipper is the main danger man for Collingwood given that he has booted 15 goals in his past three matches against the Magpies.
Prestigiacomo - who has lined up on Riewoldt in recent times - will be given the unenviable task once again of trying to quell the Saints star.
The 32-year-old defender will need his midfield to apply relentless pressure otherwise Riewoldt will feast on silver service
Zac Dawson vs. Travis Cloke
Cloke has had a disappointing start to the season, managing just two goals in two games.
The 23-year-old will need to win his duel against Dawson if the Magpies are going to have any chance of kicking a winning score.
In the round one NAB Cup clash between the Pies and the Saints Cloke was lively with 15 possessions and 10 marks but let himself down in front of goal, booting a wasteful 2.5.
It is important for the Pies that Cloke converts early as he is very much a confidence player.
Dale Thomas vs. Nick Dal Santo
Dal Santo was instrumental in the Saints’ two wins over the Pies last season, averaging 36 possessions.
If Collingwood is going to have any hope of containing St Kilda’s potent attack they will need to limit the influence of Dal Santo who is a quality user of the football.
Thomas - who was one of the Magpies’ best in the win over the Demons with 25 disposals - has been used in run-with roles in the past and could well be given the job of running with Dal Santo.
The Pies will need Thomas to be proactive and be a contributor on the scoreboard as it will force Dal Santo to worry about his direct opponent which in turn will help limit his impact on the match as a creative midfielder.
VERDICT: Collingwood will undoubtedly be switched on for this clash after a lacklustre performance against Melbourne but St Kilda has an edge in class in the middle with the likes of Leigh Montagna, Lenny Hayes, Brendon Goddard and Dal Santo all in top form. Expect the Saints‘ on-ball division to provide Riewoldt with enough supply to be the match-winner once again in what promises to be a an engrossing contest. Saints by 17 points.
ST KILDA v COLLINGWOOD
ST KILDA
B: Jason Gram, Zac Dawson, Sam Gilbert
HB: Steven Baker, Jason Blake, Brendon Goddard
C: Leigh Montagna, Clint Jones, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Andrew McQualter, Sam Fisher, Adam Schneider
F: Farren Ray, Nick Riewoldt, Stephen Milne
Foll: Michael Gardiner, David Armitage, Lenny Hayes
I/C: Steven King, Brett Peake, James Gwilt, Jarryn Geary
Emg: Adam Pattison, Robert Eddy, Raphael Clarke
In: King, Fisher
Out: Adam Pattison, Ben McEvoy
COLLINGWOOD
B: Alan Toovey, Simon Prestigiacomo, Tarkyn Lockyer
HB: Harry O’Brien, Nick Maxwell, Sharrod Wellingham
C: Luke Ball, Dane Swan, John McCarthy
HF: Josh Fraser, Travis Cloke, Alan Didak
F: Paul Medhurst, Brent Macaffer, Leon Davis
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Dale Thomas
I/C: Leigh Brown, Shane O’Bree, Steele Sidebottom, Dayne Beams
Emg: Simon Buckley, Chris Dawes, Ben Reid
In: Macaffer, McCarthy, O’Bree, Prestigiacomo
Out: Ben Johnson (knee), Heath Shaw (back), Ben Reid, John Anthony
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