Collingwood Magpies vs St Kilda Saints: AFL live scores, blog

Saturday’s suite of five games begin at the home of footy, as Collingwood host St Kilda in their Round 9 clash. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:45pm (AEST).

I’m of two minds about whether this clash is one to look forward to, or not. I’m going to go with yes, it should be a good one: if not for the fact that you’ll expect neither side to give an inch in what should be a fierce contest for the four points.

St Kilda – much maligned in the preseason – have surprised many this season with a fine start to the year, but they’re faltering badly at the moment.

Their past three weeks have seen consecutive losses to Adelaide, GWS and West Coast, and today’s clash against the Magpies is the next in a challenging line of clashes before a slightly easier period.

Collingwood, themselves, have been pretty good this year; probably not as strong as a grand finalist generally is in the sea after their ascent, but one of the league’s stronger sides nevertheless.

Collingwood’s past fortnight have seen them thrash Port Adelaide, before surprisingly endure a massive challenge from a dogged Carlton outfit in which the Pies metered victorious but very nearly humiliated.

Thus, this clash sees both sides desperate for wins – a comfortable win for the Pies to see them label last week as an aberration, a win of any sort for the Saints to see them jump back onto the winners list and prove they can match it with the best (evidence of which has been sorely lacking of late).

For mine, Collingwood have the stronger side, particularly through the midfield.

This is where they’ll likely garner an advantage, whilst their forward line looks stronger on paper and given the Saints’ relatively depleted backline, one would expect the Pies to – theoretically – be able to outgun the Saints in terms of scoring.

Remains to be seen whether theory becomes reality, though.

Both sides have made two changes for today’s clash. Collingwood gain a duo of big name players back into their side: Dayne Beams and Travis Varcoe join Saturday’s side.

In their place, Collingwood have omitted Rupert Wills and the injured Jamie Elliott. St Kilda, too, have made two changes.

Jimmy Webster is out with an injury, whilst Ben Long has been omitted. Backman Jonathon Marsh and debutant Robbie Young join the side.

Prediction
Collingwood should win this one, although I am expecting a challenge from the Saints.

Collingwood’s performance last weekend will have them a little worried, but the Saints have struggled against side in a similar realm to the Pies so they too have worries.

Not as easy to pick as some suggest, but I’ll have to go with the favourites – Collingwood. Expect them to win by a couple of goals.

Collingwood by 15 points.