The game tonight between the Blues and the Saints is one of only two matches this round that can have some bearing on the shape of the final 8. Join us this evening at 7:10pm when Carlton hosts St Kilda at the MCG.
The equation is straightforward enough for St Kilda: a win tonight guarantees them 6th spot and the opportunity to host a home final against Sydney.
If they lose, more than likely that final will be in Sydney.
This is a difficult game to read because Carlton is firmly ensconced in 5th place and are coming off the bye last week. The Saints will be desperate for the win, so it becomes a case of whether the Blues come ready to play.
O’hAilpin is in for the Blues for his first game in a while, with Thornton being rested. Both Dawson and Fisher will be sharing key man duties against him and Kreuzer, who will spend plenty of time up forward.
The midfield match-ups are amongst some of the very best the League has to offer, with Judd, Murphy and Gibbs up against Dal Santo, Jones and Montagna, if Judd is on song tonight, it will swing the balance the Blues’ way.
At the other end of the ground, Duigan and Jamison will have their hands full with Riewoldt and Kosi. Neither have had great seasons, but are ready for a big game.
Both teams have good crumbers in the forward line, all of whom have had very good seasons, names such as Betts and Garlett for the Blues and Milne and Schneider for the Saints.
Walker is a good mid-sized marking forward for the Blues, but if it’s Goddard manning him up, expect him to run off Walker at every opportunity.
Under normal circumstances, I would have no hesitation in selecting Carlton to win this one, but I think St Kilda has far too much to play for tonight and will sneak in by less than 10 pts.
Last time: Rd 7, 2011, Carlton 11.18 (84) def St Kilda 12.9 (81) at Etihad
Record overall: Carlton 158, St Kilda 47, drawn 2
At this ground: Carlton 6, St Kilda 3
In the 2000s: Carlton 5, St Kilda 12
Coaches: Ratten 2, Lyon 4
Betting: Carlton $1.65, St Kilda $2.15
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Hmm, feeling better about prospects of a second-week final against Carlton :) for that matter, feeling slightly hopeful against Collingwood.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me tonight, enjoy the rest of your evening, it's the Saints tonight, they've earned themselves a home final next, deservedly so.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Lyon made the moves in the 2nd half to make sure their height advantage was used, worked straight away, one Sts got on top, they didn't let the undermanned blues get a sniff for the rest of the match
The Cattery
Roar Guru
FT It has been a 9 goal to 4 2nd half siren goes Carl 9.12 (66) St K 13.8 (86)
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Roar Guru
Q4 1 min to go Sts now lead by 20pts, long running shot from Gram misses Carl 9.12 St K 13.8
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Roar Guru
Q4 1 min to go So next week, four finals games in Melbourne in first week of finals for the first time since 1995 Sts host Swans next week, go into it with confidence Carlton play rivals Essendon, elimination final Carl 9.12 St K 13.7
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Q4 2 min to go that's now a 17 pt lead, definitely a sts home final next week Carl 9.12 St K 13.7
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Q4 2 min to go Milne looks up, sees an open fwd line, spots up Schneider leading to the pocket, and he nails it, it's game over Carl 9.12 St K 13.7
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Q4 3 min to go Still 13 pts the difference to the Sts, doing enough to make sure they host a final next week Sts have the numbers back again Carl 9.12 St K 12.7
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Q4 4 min to go Juddy off, Wallsy reckons that Oscar is keeping him up at night Carl 9.12 St K 12.7
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Q4 5 min to go CArlton still short passing, slowing right down, St kilda have a stack behind the ball, being getting the numbers back very quickly this second half, Carl 9.12 St K 12.7
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Q4 5 min to go Kosi with the big towering mark, goes to the pocket, punched over Carl 9.12 St K 12.7
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Q4 6 min to go Horrible short pass from Scotland, goes well wide of the mark, Henderson and Riewolt battle in the air, ball to ground, Carlton clear, now Ray to Goddard, Schneider snaps, poster!! Carl 9.12 St K 12.7
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Q4 8 min to go Carlton with free at centre bounce, back into attack, Garlett handballs to no one, Sts clear to Goddard on centre-wing, Dawson again!but Henderson outmarks Riewoldt Carl 9.12 St K 12.6
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Q4 9 min to go Touhy to Setanta, two Irishment combine, strong grab, he gets a 50m pen, certain goal, he now has 4 goals Carl 9.12 St K 12.6
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Q4 9 min to go blues wiht takeaway, throw in on blues HFF, crowd 56,000 Carl 8.12 St K 12.6
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Q4 10 min to go Dawson goes for the speccy, drops it, blues into fwd 50, Gilbert takes the def mark, Schneider on the wing, Goddard to Dawson, spoiled by Henderson, loose ball to Kosi - goal! Carl 8.12 St K 12.6
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Q4 10 min to go Simpson finds some space, and he decides he's the man for the job runs to 50 and slams it through for a much needed goal to the blues, there's life yet Carl 8.12 St K 11.6
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Roar Guru
Q4 12 min to go some adventure now from Carlton, Duigan spots up Garlett, first mark in isde 50 in yonks, and he puts it out on the ful, I don't think Carlton really believe they can win this now Carl 7.12 St K 11.6
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Q4 13 min to go really strong contested mark to Xav Clarke, Murphy earns free, he goes back, so no real confidence being shown here by Carlton in bridging the gap Carl 7.12 St K 11.6