The first game on Saturday for AFL Round 21 is between Sydney Swans and St Kilda Saints. The opening bounce is set to commence at 1:45 PM with the game to be played at SCG. The favourite for the match is home team Sydney Swans. View our preview and teams for the game between Sydney Swans and St Kilda Saints.
Round: Round 21 , August 16, 2014, 1:45 PM
Stadium: SCG
Weather: 19° Shower or two.
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Preview:
THE SYDNEY Swans will aim to keep the pressure on first-placed Hawthorn when they welcome St Kilda to the SCG. The Hawks, Swans and Geelong are all locked on 15 wins for the season, separated only on percentage in the race for the all-important top two. So a visit of the bottom-placed Saints could represent an opportunity for a percentage boost, although the Swans are extremely wary of a St Kilda outfit that demonstrated its potential with a stunning upset victory over Fremantle in round 18. The Saints, Giants and Demons are all locked on four wins at the foot of the table entering round 21.
LAST FIVE TIMES
R21, 2013, Sydney Swans 18.10 (118) d St Kilda 8.11 (59) at SCG
R5, 2013, Sydney Swans 11.13 (79) d St Kilda 9.9 (63) at Westpac Stadium
R17, 2012, Sydney Swans 15.15 (105) d St Kilda 10.16 (76) at SCG
R9, 2012, St Kilda 16.15 (111) d Sydney Swans 12.11 (83) at Etihad Stadium
2EF, 2011, Sydney Swans 12.10 (82) d St Kilda 8.9 (57) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. In 210 matches between these teams, the Swans hold a clear advantage, 130-77. There have also been three draws, in 1922, 1977 and 2002.
2. The Swans are once again the AFL’s top tackling team, averaging 74.1 per game. St Kilda is 10th (66.3).
3. Lance Franklin has kicked five goals in each of his last three games against the Saints, but hasn’t faced them since round 6, 2012.
4. St Kilda has a reasonable record at the SCG, winning 10 of the 26 games held there. The Saints’ last win at the ground came in 2009.
5. St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt is ranked seventh in the AFL for marks inside 50, but he plays a lone hand for his side. Overall the Saints are ranked 14th, with just 9.7 marks inside 50 per game.
6. Franklin is the top-ranked key forward in the Official AFL Player Ratings. Despite his excellent season, Riewoldt is only ranked 11th among the League’s spearheads.
Teams:
SYDNEY
B: Nick Malceski, Ted Richards, Jeremy Laidler
HB: Jarrad McVeigh, Heath Grundy, Dane Rampe
C: Gary Rohan, Josh Kennedy, Craig Bird
HF: Adam Goodes, Lance Franklin, Lewis Jetta
F: Harry Cunningham, Kurt Tippett, Sam Reid
Fol: Mike Pyke, Luke Parker, Kieren Jack
I/C: Shane Biggs, Dan Hannebery, Jake Lloyd, Dean Towers
Emg: George Hewett, Zak Jones, Toby Nankervis,
In: Shane Biggs, Dean Towers,
Out: Ben McGlynn (calf), Rhyce Shaw (ankle)
ST KILDA
B: Sam Fisher, James Gwilt, Sam Gilbert
HB Nathan Wright, Luke Delaney, Sean Dempster
C Leigh Montagna, Lenny Hayes, Jack Newnes
HF Sebastian Ross, Nick Riewoldt, David Armitage
F Tom Curren, Rhys Stanley, Adam Schneider
Fol Billy Longer, Jack Steven, Maverick Weller
I/C Shane Savage, Farren Ray, Josh Saunders, Cameron Shenton
Emg Clinton Jones, Brodie Murdoch, Sam Dunell
In Nathan Wright, Josh Saunders, Cameron Shenton
Out Jack Billings (hamstring), Brodie Murdoch (omitted), Josh Bruce (shins).
