The fourth game on Saturday for AFL Round 18 is between Geelong Cats and St Kilda Saints. The match is to be played at Simonds Stadium with the opening bounce set to commence at 7:40PM local time with home team St Kilda Saints currently holding favouritism in the market. View our AFL live scores, odds and results for the game between Geelong Cats and St Kilda Saints.

WHERE AND WHEN: Simonds Stadium, 7:40 PM July 27, 2013

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Opening odds comparison:

Geelong Cats	1.06	1.06	1.05	1.06	1.06	1.07
St Kilda Saints	9.00	9.00	10.00	9.00	9.00	9.00

Preview:

Geelong play St Kilda on Saturday, 7.40pm at Simonds Stadium. The Cats will be expected to win here, with St Kilda inconsistent at best in 2013 and with little to play for other than pride. With Geelong at home and looking ahead to the finals, they should have more than enough to take on the Saints. While the unsettled Cats outfit and unpredictable nature of St Kilda could make for some surprises, Geelong should be able to win here with ease.

Teams:

Geelong Cats:

1 Mitch Brown
2 Billie Smedts
4 Andrew Mackie
5 Travis Varcoe
7 Harry Taylor
9 James Kelly
11 Joel Corey
12 Trent West (EMG)
13 Tom Lonergan
14 Joel Selwood
15 Jordan Schroder (EMG)
16 Dawson Simpson
19 Taylor Hunt (INT)
20Steve Johnson
21 Jordan Murdoch (EMG)
22 Mitch Duncan
23 Josh Caddy (INT)
26 Tom Hawkins
27 Mathew Stokes
29 Cameron Guthrie
30 Nathan Vardy (INT)
31 James Podsiadly
32 Steven Motlop
33 George Horlin-Smith (INT)
44 Corey Enright

In: Steve Johnson, Taylor Hunt, Nathan Vardy, Mitch Brown, George Horlin-Smith
Out: Josh Hunt (Shin) ,Jimmy Bartel (Suspension) ,Jesse Stringer (Knee) ,Jordan Murdoch (Omitted) ,Mark Blicavs (Managed)

St Kilda Saints:

1 Tom Hickey (INT)
2 Arryn Siposs (INT)
3 Jack Steven
4 Clinton Jones
5 Ben McEvoy
6 Sebastian Ross (EMG)
7 Lenny Hayes
9Tom Lee
11 Leigh Montagna
12 Nick Riewoldt
14 Jarryn Geary
16 Jack Newnes
17 Dylan Roberton
20 David Armitage
22 Farren Ray
24 Sean Dempster
26 Nick Dal Santo
28 Rhys Stanley (EMG)
29 Jimmy Webster (INT)
31 Tom Simpkin
33 James Gwilt
35 Josh Saunders
38 Sam Dunell (EMG)
43 Tom Curren (INT)
44 Stephen Milne

In: Jarryn Geary, Arryn Siposs
Out: Trent Dennis-Lane (Omitted) ,Rhys Stanley (Omitted)

Geelong defend snap-kick method

Goalkicking wizard Steve Johnson launched a passionate defence of the AFL “snap kick” on Tuesday after Geelong missed two shots at goal in the final minute of their two-point loss to Adelaide.

Geelong’s Johnson, who was unavailable for Sunday’s round-17 match at AAMI Stadium because of suspension, says he’s baffled by the discussion which has followed the misses from tight angles by Cats’ pair Jimmy Bartel and Harry Taylor.

Taylor and Bartel used the “snap-kick” method with the ball turned on its side and the player kicking around his body.

“Can’t believe the scrutiny over players choosing to snap over kicking a drop punt if on favoured side,” Johnson, a two-time leading goalkicker at Geelong, said on Twitter.

“I am certain the percentage is higher by opening up angle. As long as it’s been practised I have no doubt the goal ratio will be higher if that’s what the player is most comfortable with.

“My advice, don’t change because some traditionalists think it’s wrong, do what you know is right and accept responsibility if you miss knowing you gave yourself the best chance of kicking a goal!”

A video posted on Geelong’s website on Tuesday features interviews with key forwards who favour the kick from tight angles, including Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt and Melbourne’s Chris Dawes.

“The ones you see from Stevie J, it’s nearly become the norm for AFL players when they’re outside the 45(-degree) angle of the goal to try that sort of kick,” Riewoldt said.

Johnson says in the video that a player puts himself under extra pressure by attempting the snap-kick skill but it’s about what feels right.

“When you miss one it does look really bad. It looks like you are showing off,” Johnson said.

“Really it’s just what I see as a percentage kick for me.”

Taylor also said on the video he felt comfortable attempting the across-the-body kick from a set-shot attempt on a tight angle.

“It almost feels as though the goals are wider when you can use an arc-type kick,” the key-position utility said.

Johnson, who’s averaging 29 disposals per game in 2013, is due to return from suspension for Geelong’s home game at Simonds Stadium against St Kilda on Saturday night. Bartel has accepted a one-match ban for making forceful front-on contact against Adelaide’s Rory Laird.