The first game on Saturday for AFL Round 18 is between St Kilda Saints and Fremantle Dockers. The opening bounce is set to commence at 4:40 PM with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. The favourite for the match is away team North Melbourne Kangaroos. View our preview and teams for the game between St Kilda Saints and Fremantle Dockers.
Round: Round 18 , July 19, 2014, 4:40 PM
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 14° Shower or two.
Featured Bookmakers:
Tip: Fremantle -57.5 at $1.92 with Sportsbet + get a $250 FREE BET on the match
Preview:
THE DOCKERS have rolled into the top two after eight consecutive wins, steamrolling GWS by 76 points in round 17. It’s hard to see them being displaced from here, with Ross Lyon’s men continuing to absorb any personnel issues and build towards their best football. They’ll be without the suspended Hayden Ballantyne this week, and it will be interesting to see how Anthony Morabito is managed in his third game back, after starting as the substitute the past two weeks. St Kilda’s losing streak extended to 11 games with a 59-point loss to North Melbourne last Saturday, with the team’s inexperience telling. After announcing his retirement on Tuesday, Lenny Hayes can expect an extended farewell from his adoring fans starting this weekend.
LAST FIVE TIMES
R23, 2013, St Kilda 16.16 (112) d Fremantle 6.5 (41) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2013, Fremantle 15.10 (100) d St Kilda 11.4 (70) at Patersons Stadium
R4, 2012, Fremantle 14.8 (92) d St Kilda 11.13 (79) at Etihad Stadium
R20, 2011, St Kilda 16.17 (113) d Fremantle 10.12 (72) at Etihad Stadium
R10, 2011, St Kilda 15.12 (102) d Fremantle 7.14 (56) at Patersons Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. In the Saints’ thrashing of the Dockers the last time the sides met, Fremantle left out a number of stars to prepare for the finals, including Nat Fyfe, David Mundy, Hayden Ballantyne, Stephen Hill, Luke McPharlin and Michael Walters.
2.St Kilda has now lost 11 consecutive matches since round six, kicking an average score of only 59 points compared to their opposition’s 122 for an average losing margin of 63 points.
3. The Saints continue to struggle in contested possessions, ranked 17th with an average of 126.9 a game. The Dockers are ranked third with an average of 146.7 a game.
4. St Kilda has dominated Fremantle at Etihad Stadium, winning seven games to one. The Dockers’ only win at the venue was in round four, 2012.
5. Fremantle has won eight straight matches since round nine and defence has again been the key, keeping its opposition to an average of only 55 points per game.
6. Fremantle star Nat Fyfe has been on a constant climb in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade, moving from No.76 overall in round four to now sit at No.14. He has averaged just 6.1 points against the Saints, however, his lowest against any opponent.
Teams:
ST KILDA 
B Sean Dempster, Luke Delaney, Sam Fisher.
HB Jack Newnes, James Gwilt, Dylan Roberton.
C Leigh Montagna, Lenny Hayes, Shane Savage.
HF Josh Saunders, Nick Riewoldt, Luke Dunstan.
F Jack Billings, Rhys Stanley, Adam Schneider.
Fol Billy Longer, David Armitage, Maverick Weller.
I/C Farren Ray, Tom Curren, Josh Bruce, Brodie Murdoch
Emg Sebastian Ross, Sam Dunell, Cameron Shenton
In Josh Saunders, Billy Longer, Josh Bruce, Brodie Murdoch
Out Sam Dunell (Omitted), Tom Hickey (Knee), Cameron Shenton (Omitted), Sebastian Ross (Omitted).
FREMANTLE 
B Lee Spurr, Zac Dawson, Paul Duffield
HB Tendai Mzungu, Luke McPharlin, Michael Johnson.
C David Mundy, Ryan Crowley, Danyle Pearce
HF Chris Mayne, Matthew Pavlich, Matt de Boer
F Colin Sylvia, Matt Taberner, Zac Clarke
Fol Jonathon Griffin, Nat Fyfe, Nick Suban
I/C Michael Barlow, Lachie Neale, Cameron Sutcliffe, Anthony Morabito
Emg Tommy Sheridan, Michael Apeness, Sam Menegola
In Luke McPharlin, Matt de Boer, Matt Taberner, Jonathon Griffin
Out Aaron Sandilands (back), Clancee Pearce (omitted), Michael Apeness (omitted), Hayden Ballantyne (suspension).
