Roar Guru
Friday night footy takes us to Melbourne, as the St Kilda Saints host a struggling Carlton Blues outfit. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).
Social media has been alight this week with questions, complaints and commentary regarding the week’s ‘premier’ match: Carlton taking on St Kilda. On a Friday night.
Perhaps AFL House expected the Saints to be progressing through the season much better than they are, while Carlton are here because they have fans, and their fans generally turn up in numbers. No need to repeat what fans, and their attendance, means to the AFL.
Regardless, there’s a game of football to be played.
St Kilda have been alright in the past few weeks, but their mini winning streak – with victories over Melbourne and the Gold Coast – came to an end against Port in South Australia last week.
Carlton still have only one victory this year, coming against Essendon, so a second win would do wonders, but their awful performance against Brisbane last Saturday doesn’t inspire hope.
Selection wise, there are changes aplenty. Carlton have lost Jacob Weitering, Andrew Phillips and Darcy Lang to injury, while dropping Matthew Wright and Nick Graham. Veteran Kade Simpson, Jarrod Garlett, youngster Paddy Dow, Matt Shaw and, importantly, Harry McKay return to the side.
Paddy McCartin, Logan Austin and Nathan Wright have all been struck down with injury for St Kilda, while the side has also dropped Billy Longer and Darragh Joyce. Jake Carlisle, Rowan Marshall, Tom Hickey, Jack Lonie and Ed Phillips are all included in the squad.
Prediction
It’s hard to envision Carlton saluting, even against a side of the Saints’ calibre.
Expect the Blues to make it competitive, possibly leading early, but St Kilda will steady to win their fourth match of the year, by around six goals.
St Kilda by 34 points
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 7:50pm (AEST).