This week’s feature match is Collingwood versus St Kilda. The teams have played each other frequently in recent years, with their two most famous showdowns in the grand finals of 2010.
Collingwood versus St Kilda
Friday, May 3
7:50pm
Etihad Stadium
Last meeting: Collingwood 12.19 (91) defeated St Kilda 13.7 (85) at the MCG, Round 19, 2012.
While Collingwood’s premiership window is still open, the Saints’ is all but shut following a poor start to the season in which they have netted only one win from their first five matches.
Both teams will be coming off eight-day breaks, having lost their respective matches on ANZAC Day against Essendon and Sydney.
There is no excuse for either team to underperform on Friday night, with the match the Magpies’ first under lights for the season, whereas it’s the second time for the Saints.
Collingwood were poor in the final quarter against Essendon, and their 46 point-loss was their heaviest on ANZAC Day for a decade.
The Pies could only manage ten goals, while Travis Cloke, their main go-to man, was kept quiet. This one shouldn’t come quite enough for Collingwood, given their recent dominance of the Saints and their ability to perform in big matches.
The Saints started and finished strongly last week against Sydney in the first premiership match played outside of Australia, but still lost by 16 points.
Their performance against the defending champions showed they can still match it with the best in the competition, but the question is whether they can actually beat theses sides.
If St Kilda are to triumph in this one, they will have to overcome a recent poor record against the Pies, the Saints having lost five of their last six meetings, with round three 2010 their last win (the closest they came was in the aforementioned drawn grand final of that year).
Collingwood won their only meeting last year in controversial circumstances, so the Saints will be keen for revenge this time around.
Key stat: While both teams will be coming off eight-day breaks, the Pies will be more refreshed, having finished their match much earlier than the Saints and not been subjected to plane travel.
Tip: Collingwood by 20 points.
Other matches
Essendon versus Greater Western Sydney
It’s first versus last on the ladder so no prediction is needed here. Essendon continue to roll along nicely, as evidenced by their emphatic ANZAC Day victory over Collingwood, while GWS continue to struggle in the latter stages of matches, the latest being a 44-point loss to the Gold Coast in Canberra.
North Melbourne versus Port Adelaide
The Roos were very unlucky not to have beaten Hawthorn last week, but such a loss could affect the confidence of the team for the rest of the season.
Any chance of a second victory this season is remote, given they face a resurgent Port Adelaide.
Tip: Port Adelaide by 12 points.
Adelaide versus Hawthorn
The rematch of last year’s preliminary final will be missing an x-factor player for each side, with Taylor ‘Tex’ Walker gone for the season in a big blow for the Crows, while Cyril Rioli, who was best for Hawthorn last week, is out until the bye.
Despite the home ground advantage, Hawthorn should still be too strong.
Tip: Hawthorn by 20 points.
Gold Coast versus Fremantle
The Suns were very impressive last week, albeit against the GWS Giants, while Fremantle survived a controversial goal-umpiring call to just get the points over Richmond.
The Dockers are ravaged by injuries, so this is the best chance for the Suns to claim their first big scalp of the season.
Tip: Gold Coast by 10 points.
Richmond versus Geelong
Richmond’s 3-0 start to the season could soon turn to 3-3 when they face Geelong on Saturday night.
The Tigers were very unlucky not to have beaten Freo last week, and though they are expected to challenge at the ‘G’, the Cats’ experience and good form will get them over the line here.
Tip: Geelong by 24 points.
Sydney Swans versus Brisbane Lions
Apart from a 21-point loss to the Cats in Round four, the Swans continue to roll along and shouldn’t really be threatened by a Brisbane Lions side which, save for last week’s victory over Melbourne, has underperformed since winning the pre-season NAB Cup.
Tip: Sydney Swans by 26 points.
Carlton versus Melbourne
The Blues are only getting started and last week’s victory over Adelaide was a real confidence-booster as they head into another very winnable match.
Melbourne may have lost again last week, but still performed well, though it will be back to tough times against the Blues at the MCG.
Tip: Carlton by 30 points.
West Coast versus Western Bulldogs
It’s desperation stakes for both teams as they seek just their second wins of the season. The Eagles should secure their first home victory of the season against a Bulldogs side which has lost its last four matches since opening the season with a 68-point thrashing of Brisbane.
Tip: West Coast by 22 points.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
Jack Ziebell was playing his first match for Avondale Heights when he was yellow-carded for headbutting an opponent during a scuffle following a late…
"It looked like it was gonna go for miles - and then it went nowhere!"
Footy's getting closer and closer to taking over the US!
What on earth was this question from BT!?!
Mitch Georgiades' mates have no chill!
On the scoreboard, it looks like a creditable St Kilda performance. A loss to a Port Adelaide outfit many see as a premiership contender…
