Today’s match sees a clash between St Kilda and Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium, with both sides determined to win some respect after mediocre round one performances. Join us for live scores and commentary from 4.40pm AEST.
If there were any doubts about whether the Saints time as a top four and premiership contender was over, they were dispelled last Sunday in an abject display against Port at AAMI Stadium.
The Power put in a spirited effort and deserved their victory on heart alone, but it was telling that St Kilda weren’t able to capitalize on the many skill errors of their opposition.
The limitations of the bottom end of the Saints side have been well documented, and they were on display again last week.
There were no issues with the efforts and skills of Goddard, Fisher, Riewoldt, and Dal Santo, while Lenny Hayes made a solid return from a knee reconstruction.
It was also no surprise to see first-gamer Terry Milera provide a spark as he roamed from half forward to half back, collecting 17 possessions and a goal for his troubles.
But there were many strugglers who failed to perform to AFL standard.
Coach Scott Watters clearly agreed and was keen to send a message, dropping the ‘been there, done that’ duo of Farren Ray and Brett Peake, while Dean Polo must also have been on the block, but was suspended in any case.
Brought in has been the freshest of blood in Tom Simpkin and Tom Ledger, who have played two games each, and Jack Newnes for his debut.
The three ‘outs’ have played a combined 334 games as journeymen, averaging 14 matches a season over several clubs, and every St Kilda fan knows that they must all be consigned to the scrapheap as relics from the past.
When it comes to the past, Gold Coast doesn’t really have one. Where the Saints have long been lacking in brightness, verve and vitality, and are desperately trying to inject some, the Suns have plenty of each in abundance.
Unfortunately, they could also do with some of St Kilda’s renowned dourness, and their lack of defensive pressure and efforts has seen some heat turned coach Guy McKenna’s way this week.
Adelaide did as they liked up at Metricon Stadium last Saturday against the Suns, recording round highs for inside 50’s (73), scoring shots (42) , and total score (19.23.137).
Gold Coast needs to be harder to play against than the currently are, get their hands dirtier and band together to help Gary Ablett, Jared Brennan and Michael Rischitelli out.
Harley Bennell was impressive and has a bright future and there is much to like about Aaron Hall and Josh Caddy from the brief glimpses we’ve seen, but this trio only laid three tackles between them last week, and need to raise the defensive side of their game.
In predicting the outcome of today’s match, a comfortable St Kilda victory is unavoidable. They will be keen to get their season back on track in emphatic fashion, and re-energize with some dash and flair against an inexperienced side.
Brendan Goddard and Nick Dal Santo have fond memories from 2011 of collecting 37 and 39 disposals respectively against the Suns, and will be hoping for a repeat.
Gold Coast will be looking to be a bit grittier around the ball and take some bodies with them. Look for Campbell Brown to lead the way in this regard.
The Saints only won by 20 points in this fixture last year, but that was away and this is at home with a statement to be made. Look for them to triple it, and coast to a 60 point victory.
Join me here on The Roar and offer up any questions or comments you may have during the live blog, which begins shortly before the first bounce at 4.40pm AEST.
stam
Roar Rookie
Even though I'm a saints supporter and was at the game it was the most boring game to watch, if we play like that against a half decent team we will be in trouble
TomC
Guest
Í'd love to know when the last time was there were four 90+ margins in one round of footy.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
the one small mercy is that we didn't have a third 100+ pt margin for the round, but we are clearly heading for a record in blow outs this season, and that ain't good.
Cameron Rose
Expert
It hasn't been the most inspiring game, and it will be hard to glean too much. Gold Coast host the undefeated Essendon next Saturday night, and will be 0-3 by the end of it. One senses that they'll be 0-6 going into round 7 and a clash with GWS, which both teams will be eyeing off. St Kilda face the Western Bulldogs in round three, and i'd expect a closer game than the odds may dictate. The Dogs have been okay without winning in the first two weeks against strong sides, but the Saints will go in with confidence. Thanks for joining me today, and i'll see you soon on The Roar!
Cameron Rose
Expert
As stated previously, this was not a banner day for AFL football. GWS and Gold Coast, the two expansion teams, conceded 49 goals between them, while only kicking 15 between them. The Saints did what they had to do, and did it well. They've still got plenty to work on, and would still have made more errors than they will have wanted. What's hard to tell is how much confidence they will have gained, the likes of Riewoldt showing some form down forward, and younger players like Stanley, Milera and Simpkin having an impact in a resounding win. For the Suns, they seem to have gone backwards. Ablett is being relied on more than ever judging by the two matches i've seen so far. Swallow has evolved at an appropriate rate, but there is little else to be pleased about. In my pre-match write-up I spoke of Bennell, Hall and Caddy needing to show their worth in the tackle count, and Caddy at least did that, laying a team high 8. The other two only laid one apiece, but even more disappointing was the fact that senior player Campbell Brown only laid one himself. There is much work to be done by Guy McKenna and staff, and to them it must feel like a mountain of it.
Cameron Rose
Expert
DISPOSALS St Kilda: Goddard 33, Hayes 27, Dal Santo 26, Montagna, Fisher 25 Gold Coast: Ablett 40, Swallow 28, Brennan 25, Matera 20
Cameron Rose
Expert
GOALS St Kilda: Riewoldt 4, Milera, Milne, Stanley, Koschitzke, Armitage 2, Goddard, Cripps, Steven, Geary, McEvoy, Jones, Gilbert 1 Gold Coast: Ablett, Brown 2, Matera, Russell, HIckey 1
Cameron Rose
Expert
FINAL SCORE ST KILDA 21.13.139 GOLD COAST 7.5.47
Cameron Rose
Expert
The Saints chip it around in the back half, with no clear indication that they care about the triple figure margin. Unfortunately we don't really learn too much from these sort of matches. StK 21.13 GC 7.5 1 to go 4th quarter
Cameron Rose
Expert
Ablett marks strongly inside 50, what a player he is. Kicks a goal to save the Suns from absolute disgrace. They may have lost by 200 hundred today without him. StK 21.13 GC 7.5 2 to go 4th quarter
Cameron Rose
Expert
The Suns have seldom been forward this quarter, and their forwards must be stiff through lack of action. The game is meandering to a close, and the only interest is whether the margin will reach triple figures. StK 21.13 GC 6.5 3 to go 4th quarter
Cameron Rose
Expert
Kosi gets on the end of a nice pass from Geary, and marks on the lead. When on song he's a beautiful kick, and he splits the middle to give the Saints a 98 point lead. StK 21.13 GC 6.5 5 to go 4th quarter
Cameron Rose
Expert
Not a great day for AFL football today, hopefully we don't have another situation this year where the only two games on a particular day involve the expansion teams. Considering the Suns were expected in some quarters to win 6-8 games this year, the signs are not good with their lack of competitiveness. They'll be lucky to match their three wins of last year at this rate, although Bock back from next week will help steady the ship a bit. StK 20.13 GC 6.5 6 to go 4th quarter
Cameron Rose
Expert
Yes, I struggle to see them much higher than 8th. I'm expecting the Dogs to take it right up to them next week, and I wouldn't be going in over-confident as a Saints fan.
Cameron Rose
Expert
McEvoy marks strongly, and like a lot of ruckman in this day and age, he's a pretty good set shot for goal. He kicks truly from 45m. What a terrible day for the expansion teams. StK 20.13 GC 6.5 8 to go 4th quarter
Cameron Rose
Expert
The old firm gets involved for the Saints, from half back - Goddard, Montagna, Dal Santo and Riewoldt. The latter finds the new boy Milera, and he snaps from a tight angle on the left. StK 19.13 GC 6.5 9 to go 4th quarter
Cameron Rose
Expert
A couple of stoppages deep in the St Kilda attacking zone, and eventually the Suns win a free. The ball is turned over, and Sam Gilbert sends a ball forward, but shanks it. He really is a terrible kick. It works out okay though, because the throw in sees Clinton Jones roving the tap, and he snaps truly on his non-preferred right. The margin is now 85. StK 19.12 GC 6.5 10 to go 4th quarter
Sausages
Guest
Forgive me if you've stated this already Cam, but where do you see the Saints finishing this year?? 12th to 8th?
Cameron Rose
Expert
Gold Coast looking to build patiently, the Saints defensive zone proving effective against tired and young opposition. The turnover eventuates, and Ledger is involved again, sending it inside 50. Montagna tries to kick a miracle along the ground, but it is rushed through. StK 18.12 GC 6.5 12 to go 4th quarter
Cameron Rose
Expert
The Saints press forward again, and Riewoldt will kick for his fourth after taking a diving chest mark. He makes no mistake, kicking it assuredly. They've got their eyes on a 100 point margin here. StK 18.11 GC 6.5 14 to go 4th quarter