Collingwood have moved to a 5-4 record with a 28-point win over St Kilda.
Final score
St Kilda Saints 9.11.65
Collingwood Magpies 14.9.93
Saturday night football takes us to Etihad Stadium, as a struggling St Kilda side host Collingwood. Join The Roar for live commentary and scores from 7:25pm AEST.
Well, there’s certainly no question that the Saints are struggling with form and confidence headed into the ninth round of what was supposed to be a promising campaign.
They’ve won one match against Brisbane many weeks ago in the first round, and have managed six losses and a draw since then.
Their latest outing was a loss to Freo over in WA, but a positive third quarter of that match will need to become the basis for how they play.
Collingwood’s had a better season, but one that is becoming increasingly decimated by injuries. They’re four-four, but this is a game that they’ll simply want to win in order to tip that ledger into positive territory.
Their latest outing, too, was a loss – a disappointing effort against Geelong in what was ultimately a pretty poor game.
Don’t expect this game to be a classic, either, as St Kilda’s kicking leaves much to be desired, and injuries to key Pies means Collingwood won’t be at their strongest either – particularly in the forward line.
St Kilda have made three changes this week – but they’re all forced. Worryingly, they’ve lost key backman Jake Carlisle, talented midfield Blake Acres and Sam Gibson to injury. A pair of Jacks – Sinclair and Lonie – join debutant Bailey Rice in the squad this evening.
Collingwood, too, have made several changes due to injury and tough selection calls. Youngsters Ben Crocker and Callum Brown have been omitted, whilst Darcy Moore suffered a hamstring injury last week and is a forced out. Tom Langdon joins the side, as well as fortuitously timed returns from Alex Fasolo and Scott Pendlebury.
Prediction
I’m expecting St Kilda to, at the very least, make it interesting for a couple of quarters, before Collingwood steady to take a victory.
However, if usual St Kilda problems (namely awful kicking, on the field and for goal) and the Saints begin to struggle, Collingwood could pummel them – despite concerns of their own.
I’m going a more grounded prediction, but expect Collingwood to win this one in some fashion.
Collingwood by 18 points
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:25pm AEST.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Any excuse for some whisky, aye?
Birdman
Guest
WORLD Whisky Day - didn't know it existed until today either but apparently it's a thing.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Thanks, BM. Thanks for your company as usual. National Whiskey Day? Never heard of it!
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Collingwood have shrugged off a persistent Saints outfit, winning by 28. With the Saints well and truly in the game for the first half - leading at the main break - Collingwood were engaged in a suddenly competitive match. Both side struggled with a bit of inaccuracy, but entertaining play largely provided the crowd with some good viewing. Collingwood, though, dominated with a seven goal third term, which put the Saints into a hole which they never managed to emerge from. Try as they might, a sluggish final quarter from both sides meant that the Saints couldn't get back into the game, so they were forced into their seventh loss of the year. De Goey's six goals was a brilliant return, and perhaps gave the Pies the winning edge. How'd everyone see the game? St Kilda: 10.12 (72) Collingwood: 15.10 (100)
Birdman
Guest
it was a shame the Saints petered out tonight but all their problems reappeared in that second half unfortunately. oh well, Happy World Whiskey Day to all - off to raise a Tasmanian single malt to the happy couple. Outstanding work as usual AD
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
There's full time. Collingwood, off the back of their barnstorming third term, win this one by 28 points. St Kilda: 10.12 (72) Collingwood: 15.10 (100)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL COLLINGWOOD I stand corrected! Collingwood will get the final major of the game, with Hoskin-Elliot booting a major with just 5 seconds left. That'll do us for the game. St Kilda: 10.12 (72) Collingwood: 15.10 (100)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Ha! The parents aren't pleased at me, cause they've been relegated to watching the Royal Wedding on the computer...
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL SAINTS There's a late goal for the Saints - that's from Gresham. I'd suspect that'll be the last score of this game, with about a minute left. St Kilda: 10.12 (72) Collingwood: 14.10 (94)
Birdman
Guest
and so loooong..... :)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
BEHIND COLLINGWOOD There's a rushed behind for the Saints, before Stephenson adds a minor score for the Pies. St Kilda: 9.12 (66) Collingwood: 14.10 (94)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Wait, I was half watching the sermon, and it seemed genuinely good (and funny?)?.
Birdman
Guest
as riveting as Bishop Curry's sermon - time has stood still
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
The scoring's dried off in this one, with Collingwood holding a 28 point advantage with 6 minutes to go. St Kilda: 9.11 (65) Collingwood: 14.9 (93)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
BEHIND SAINTS That's a miss to Armitage. We're moving from unlikely to very unlikely territory in terms of the Saints winning this one. St Kilda: 9.11 (65) Collingwood: 14.9 (93)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I dunno. 0.3 tonight to join 1.5 last week.
Birdman
Guest
Membrey has been appalling this season - waht happened to this guy?
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
BEHIND SAINTS Important shot here for the Saints, but Membrey's taking it. Oh. He's sent it to the left. St Kilda: 9.10 (64) Collingwood: 14.9 (93)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
BEHIND COLLINGWOOD Terrible turnover by the Saints, and Hoskin Elliot has another opputunity, but he's played on and missed the easiest of goals! St Kilda: 9.9 (63) Collingwood: 14.9 (93)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
BEHIND COLLINGWOOD De Goey has a ping at his seventh, but he misses the lot - oh wait, Hoskin-Elliott's marked on the line! His angled shot misses, though. St Kilda: 9.9 (63) Collingwood: 14.8 (92)