- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
An historic moment for the AFL as the first home and away match is played outside Australia – St Kilda and Sydney Swans breaking new ground in New Zealand. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 5.50pm AEST.
St Kilda has for a long time suggested it would be keen to take a game or two internationally, with the AFL finally agreeing to do so on ANZAC Day as a way to showcase Australia’s premier sport ‘across the ditch’.
But they will need to bring more than their A-game today as they try to hold off last year’s premiers.
The Sydney Swans are coming off a tough loss to Geelong last week, but are showing that they are right on the mark in their defence of the title.
The Saints really did disappoint last week against a rampant Essendon, really struggling to get going in the match.
The performance has seen Stephen Milne suspended for a low act, Farren Ray, Tom Simpkin and Terry Milera dropped and Beau Maister, who has been a strong focal point in the forward line miss this game with a hand injury.
It really does decimate their small forwards, but could give Nick Riewoldt a stronger chance to make a leap – but he must hold his marks.
Lenny Hayes has been a little off from his stand-out season last year and will need a boost today, while the midfield needs to try their best to stop the Swans winning the clearance count, which looks a mighty tough task.
If there is a positive to come from the changes is that Justin Koschitzke and Sean Dempster make their returns.
The Swans will know their traveling record of late has been very impressive, so going to a foreign land won’t worry them too much.
They’ll also be happy to know the Westpac Stadium is one that is reminiscent of the SCG – about the same length and a little narrower.
One thing that was very unlike Sydney last week was their low tackle count, with less than 50 next to their name. Expect that to lift a fair bit today with the usual Bloods fight to come back against a lower team.
Craig Bird coming back is a great inclusion for Sydney – he comes in for Mitch Morton. The other omission is that of Lewis Roberts-Thomson with a knee injury.
We’re hoping St Kilda can step up to the challenge and put on a good show against the Swans. The AFL will almost be relying on it. Coverage begins from 5.50pm AEST.
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.