St Kilda v Western Bulldogs
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THE TEAMS
ST KILDA
B: Leigh Fisher, Max Hudghton,
Matt Maguire
HB: Jason Gram, Sam Fisher, Steven Baker
C: Robert Harvey, Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna
HF: Xavier Clarke, Nick Riewoldt, Shane Birss
F: Stephen Milne , Fraser Gehrig, Justin Koschitzke
FOLL: Matthew Clarke, Nick Dal Santo, Luke Ball
I/C: Jayden Attard, Jason Blake, Aaron Fiora, Sam Gilbert
EMG: Clinton Jones, Brett Voss, Raphael Clarke
In: Koschitzke
Out: Michael Rix (omitted)
WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Jordan McMahon, Brian Harris, Dale Morris
HB: Andrejs Everitt, Tom Williams, Ryan Hargrave
C: Farren Ray, Scott West, Nathan Eagleton
HF: Daniel Giansiracusa, Brad Johnson, Robert Murphy
F: Shaun Higgins, Chris Grant, Jason Akermanis
FOLL: Luke Darcy, Adam Cooney, Matthew Boyd
I/C: Daniel Cross, Sam Power, Wayde Skipper, Stephen
Tiller
EMG: Jarrod Harbrow, Josh Hill, Andrew McDougall
In: Cross, Grant,
West
Out: Jarrod Harbrow, Josh Hill, Cameron Wight
MATCH DETAILS:
Friday August 3, Telstra Dome, 7.40pm (local time)
MEDIA COVERAGE:
Television –
Channel Seven, Radio – afl.com.au, Triple M, 3AW, ABC, SEN, NIRS, 5AA (Adel.),
6PR (Perth)
TAB SPORTSBET (VIC):
St Kilda – $1.27, Western Bulldogs – $3.50
LADDER POSITION:
St Kilda – 9th, Western Bulldogs – 10th
WIN/LOSS RECORD:
Played – 141, St Kilda – 71, Western Bulldogs – 68,
drawn - 2
AT THIS GROUND:
Played – 8, St Kilda – 5, Western Bulldogs – 3
LAST TIME:
Round 3, 2007 – St Kilda 17.14 (116) def Western
Bulldogs 9.12 (66), at Telstra Dome
RECENT STREAK
The Bulldogs haven’t beaten the Saints since round
12, 2004 and on current form it’s tough to see them ending their recent drought
this week.
INJURIES
St Kilda: Aaron Hamill (knee – indefinite), Brendon
Goddard (knee – season), Michael Gardiner (foot – season).
Western
Bulldogs: Chris Grant (hamstring – test), Scott
West (groin – test), Daniel Cross (knee - 1-2 weeks), Lindsay Gilbee (calf – 1-2
weeks), Tim Walsh (hamstring - 1-2 weeks), Mitch Hahn (shoulder - 4-5 weeks),
Ryan Griffen (knee/bowel – season), Michael West (knee – season).
SELECTION
TABLE
As expected, the Saints have selected Justin Koschitzke after he served his
one-week suspension. Fellow big man Michael Rix is the unlucky omission.
Perhaps the bigger surprise came at the
Bulldogs, where they brought in three experienced guns. Daniel Cross, despite
being listed as another week or two away, has been picked, along with Chris
Grant and Scott West. Whether all three take their place in the selected side
is the big query.
FORM
St Kilda’s charge towards the top eight continued
last week when they got home against Carlton
by 10 points. It wasn’t the Saints’ most convincing win but it continued the
club’s purple patch. St Kilda has now won five of its past six matches, while the
injury-hit Dogs are coming off successive hidings, albeit at the hands of
arguably the competition’s two best sides (Geelong and West Coast).
RED
HOT
Sam Fisher’s standout 2007 continued last week when
he picked up 32 possessions against Carlton
to be among the Saints’ best.
Fisher has been superb all season for St
Kilda in the back half, his size allowing him to pick up a tall while he’s
still very agile at ground level and provides plenty of drive for the Saints.
The Bulldogs don’t possess a tall forward
line but Fisher’s ability to adapt will ensure he’s a handy acquisition again
on Friday night.
MATCH-UPS TO WATCH
Steven Baker v Jason Akermanis
Baker might get the run-with role on Bulldogs playmaker Scott West, but if not,
you could expect him to be Akermanis’s shadow at Telstra Dome. The hard-at-it
Saint loves nothing more than making a pest of himself against some of the
game’s biggest names, and Aker won’t find it easy against the former St Kilda
best and fairest winner. The Bulldogs will need a little Aker magic if they’re
to take home the four points.
Fraser
Gehrig v Brian Harris
Harris has been a rock for the Bulldogs this season, although he has been up
against it of late. On Friday night he will go head to head with ageing champ
Fraser Gehrig, fresh from booting six goals in his 250th match. While the ‘r’
word (retirement) will again come up with the Saints spearhead at the end of
the year, his form warrants another year. Harris will have his hands full
containing the powerful goalkicker.
Leigh
Fisher v Brad Johnson
Will the look-a-likes go head to head? Or will Ross Lyon revert to his tried
and trusted defender in Max Hudghton? Johnson booted three last time the sides
met (and had 3.3 of the Dogs’ half-time total of 3.6) but was starved of supply
as the game wore on, having to push up the ground in search of a kick the
further the game wore on. Fisher might have the pace to go with him but the
danger will be Johnson’s uncanny knack in the air.
WHAT
THE COACH SAYS
“They’re all do or die, they’re all mini
finals, that’s what everyone’s been talking about since sort of the break,” Ross
Lyon said.
“But I continually say it and I’m going to
say it again, it’s another game of AFL footy that we’ve got to plan and prepare
for and execute the basics, focus on ourselves to play well.
“We’ll just focus on the things we need to
do, prepare well for the Bulldogs who are in the same position as us.”
“So it should be a good crowd at Telstra
Dome Friday night and great for our supporters. We hope to put on a good show.”
The views in this
story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
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