Geelong Cats vs St Kilda Saints: AFL live scores, blog

The Geelong Cats will be looking to bounce back when they host the St Kilda Saints at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night. Join The Roar for all the action with live scores and a blog of the match from 7:25pm (AEST).

It was a disappointing finish for the Cats last Saturday, scoring just one goal to the Dogs’ five and allowing the Western Bulldogs to run away with a surprise win.

In perfect conditions under the roof of Marvel Stadium, Geelong’s midfield had a quieter night, the forward line lacked presentation from key targets and goal kicking proved quite a problem.

The loss also narrowed the Cats’ margin at the top of the AFL ladder, however, they can extend to a two-game lead again with a win against the Saints.

St Kilda had a horror start in Hobart last Sunday, with North Melbourne piling on seven goals to the Saints’ one and opening up a 40-point lead in the opening term.

The margin was reduced thanks to a three-goal second quarter by Josh Bruce, although the Kangaroos kicked back out to the six-goal margin and it stayed that way through the match.

A 39-point loss to North Melbourne certainly puts the Saints back under the spotlight; St Kilda’s only win since the bye has come against the Gold Coast Suns and this is the third consecutive loss over 30 points.

Geelong have made a couple of changes for this one.

Esava Ratugolea returns to the team, along with Brandon Parfitt who was rested last round.

Ratugolea plays his first game since he suffered a hamstring injury round 12; the tall will be a welcomed addition, with the Cats’ struggling for height in the forward line last week.

Lachie Fogarty has been omitted, while Jake Kolodjashnij has not recovered from his concussion.

Kolodjashnij was initially named in the side, with Jack Henry managed, however after the final training session on Friday the decision was made to withdraw the Geelong defender and put Henry back in the side.

St Kilda have also made two changes.

Jack Lonie returns to the Saints team after injury kept him on the sidelines for a couple of months.

Matthew Parker has been omitted to make way.

Josh Battle has been forced out of the side with a low-grade medial ligament strain, defender Nathan Brown will return to the line-up in his place.

The last time these two teams played was in round four, 2018.

Geelong’s physicality and pressure at GMHBA Stadium was too good for the Saints, a commanding 47-point victory the result for Geelong at home.

St Kilda’s Jack Newnes will celebrate 150 AFL games when he takes to the field this weekend.

Taken at pick 37 in the 2011 National Draft, Newnes has been a mainstay at the Saints and shares the club record for most consecutive games played (123).

Prediction
Just as the Cats were well over a year ago in their last meeting, Geelong will be too strong for St Kilda on Saturday night.

A steadying victory for the ladder-leaders, who will be looking to return to the forward-50 efficiency they produced earlier this year.

Geelong by 29 points.

Game Information

Where: GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
When: 7:25pm AEST
TV: Channel 7, Fox Footy
Betting: Geelong $1.08, St Kilda $8.00

Geelong Cats
B: Zach Tuohy, Jack Henry, Harry Taylor
HB: Patrick Dangerfield, Mark Blicavs, Tom Stewart
C: Cameron Guthrie, Tim Kelly, Mitch Duncan
HF: Luke Dahlhaus, Esava Ratugolea, Gary Rohan
F: Gary Ablett, Tom Hawkins, Tom Atkins
Foll: Rhys Stanley, Jordan Clark, Joel Selwood
I/C: Jed Bews, Brandon Parfitt, Gryan Miers, Mark O’Connor

St Kilda Saints
B: Nick Coffield, Nathan Brown, Shane Savage
HB: Callum Wilkie, Jake Carlisle, Hunter Clark
C: Jack Billings, Sebastian Ross, Jack Newnes
HF: Nick Hind, Josh Bruce, Jack Sinclair
F: Daniel McKenzie, Tim Membrey, Ben Long
Foll: Rowan Marshall, Jade Gresham, Jack Steele
I/C: Luke Dunstan, Blake Acres, Jack Lonie, Ben Paton