St Kilda Saints vs Western Bulldogs preview, tips, odds and teams – 2014 AFL Round 20

The second game on Sunday for AFL Round 20 is between St Kilda Saints and Western Bulldogs. The game is set to commence at 3:20 PM with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. The favourite for the match is away team Western Bulldogs. View our preview and teams for the game between St Kilda Saints and Western Bulldogs.

Round: Round 20 , August 10, 2014, 1:10 PM
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 16° Shower or two.

Featured Bookmakers:

Tips: St Kilda Saints +27.5 at $1.92 with Sportsbet.com.au + Sign-up via this link for a $250 FREE BET!

Preview:

ST KILDA’S last home game of the season will give fans the chance to farewell a club great. The Lenny Hayes tribute game is also a chance for the Saints to find another win in a tough season, having coughed up the ball consistently against Gold Coast in round 19 to lose by 53 points at Metricon Stadium. They will need to overcome a young, hungry Bulldogs outfit that was competitive for periods against reigning premier Hawthorn last Sunday but faded in the second half. As has been the case for 293 games, Hayes will be crucial in the midfield battles against young guns like Tom Liberatore and Jack Macrae. A win for the Saints could drag them off the bottom of the ladder and give members and supporters a perfect farewell to a club favourite.

LAST FIVE TIMES
R9, 2013, Western Bulldogs 17.8 (110) d St Kilda 15.11 (101) at Etihad Stadium
R18, 2012, St Kilda 16.22 (118) d Western Bulldogs 6.6 (42) at Etihad Stadium
R3, 2012, St Kilda 15.13 (103) d Western Bulldogs 5.10 (40) at Etihad Stadium
R12, 2011, St Kilda 12.9 (81) d Western Bulldogs 8.9 (57) at Etihad Stadium
2PF, 2010, St Kilda 13.10 (88) d Western Bulldogs 8.16 (64) at the MCG

THE SIX POINTS
1. When the Bulldogs narrowly defeated St Kilda the last time these sides met, it ended the Saints’ eight-game winning streak over the Bulldogs.

2. Contested possessions haven’t been a strength in 2014 for the Saints, who rank 17th with an average of 127.5 a game. The Bulldogs rank equal-fifth with 143.7 a game.

3. It has been almost four years since the Saints and Bulldogs met in a preliminary final with both clubs now turning over players as they rebuild. The Saints have 10 players from that 2010 final on their list, while the Bulldogs have nine.

4. After 18 games St Kilda is the worst team in front of goal in the League, ranked 18th for goalkicking accuracy at 45.8 per cent. The Bulldogs are 11th at 48.9 per cent.

5. St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt has enjoyed playing against the Bulldogs, kicking 48 goals in 20 games, including two five-goal bags. He’s booted multiple goals 13 times and four goals five times against the boys from the west of Melbourne.

6. Midfielder Matthew Boyd averages more Player Ratings points than any other Bulldog in matches against St Kilda (16.0). The former captain is ranked No.83 in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade. http://www.afl.com.au/afl-player-ratings

 

Teams:

ST KILDA

B, Sam Fisher, James Gwilt, Sean Dempster
HB, Shane Savage, Luke Delaney, Jack Newnes
C, Sam Gilbert, Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna
HF, Jack Steven, Nick Riewoldt, Tom Curren
F, Jack Billings, Rhys Stanley, Josh Bruce
Fol, Billy Longer, David Armitage, Maverick Weller
I/C, Sebastian Ross, Adam Schneider, Dylan Roberton, Farren Ray, Brodie Murdoch, Nathan Wright, Josh Saunders,
In, Sam Gilbert, Sebastian Ross, Nathan Wright, Josh Saunders,
Out, Luke Dunstan (shoulder)

WESTERN BULLDOGS

B Liam Picken, Jordan Roughead, Mark Austin.
HB Robert Murphy, Dale Morris, Koby Stevens.
C Lachie Hunter, Matthew Boyd, Jack Macrae.
HF Marcus Bontempelli, Stewart Crameri, Nathan Hrovat.
F Luke Dahlhaus, Jake Stringer, Tom Campbell
Fol Will Minson, Ryan Griffen, Tom Liberatore
I/C Shaun Higgins, Easton Wood, Daniel Giansiracusa, Adam Cooney, Mitch Honeychurch, Sam Darley, Jack Redpath (three to be omitted)
In Easton Wood, Daniel Giansiracusa, Mitch Honeychurch, Jack Redpath.
Out Jason Johannisen (calf).

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!