Friday, 17th August. 7:30pm
Round 21 kicks off with Geelong hosting St. Kilda at Eithad Stadium on Friday night.The Cats ventured west last week and were looking to make it four wins on the trot.Despite losing star forward Tom Hawkins, who was stretchered off with a serious concussion late in the first quarter, the Cats led at every change but couldn’t withstand a vastly improved West Coast team and succumbed late, losing by five points.A decision on Hawkins’ return will not be made until later in the week however the Cats will welcome back players – James Kelly, Joel Carey and Paul Champman.Geelong sit seventh on the ladder, one win in front of Essendon and Fremantle (who face-off against Carlton and Richmond respectively this week) so a win is vital to keep them inside the top eight.Unlike the Cats, should they lose Saints will not have the luxury of another bite of the cherry. Currently sitting tenth on the ladder, it’s all or nothing for the Saints and must win to keep final aspirations alive.The task hasn’t been made any easier with the news that St. Kilda star Nick Riewoldt has been ruled out of the clash after injuring his knee last week in the Saints victory over the Demons (107 -82)Geelong had the better of the Saints when the last met in Round 13 last year (100 – 72) but in recent times there’s been very little between the two teams with honours split.
SPORTSBET HEAD TO HEAD – GEELONG $1.39, St. Kilda $3.10
Geelong have shown good form over recent weeks and with several key players back on deck, they’ll be too good for the Saints. Geelong 1-39 @ $2.15
