St Kilda will travel to Adelaide this weekend full of belief after a spirited victory against Carlton on Monday. The Saints dominated the first three quarters against the Blues before eventually holding them off to win by nine points at Etihad Stadium.
The Crows also won, but by a far greater margin against GWS in Blacktown. Brenton Sanderson's men dominated from start to finish, recording the second highest score in Adelaide's history.
Highest scores in Adelaide's 22 year history:
vs Essendon, Rd 10, 2006 | 188 |
vs GWS, Rd 7, 2013 | 187 |
vs Richmond, Rd 17, 1997 | 185 |
vs NM, Rd 24, 1991 | 180 |
vs GWS, Rd 16, 2012 | 178 |
vs Richmond, Rd 1, 1993 | 178 |
St Kilda's recent home record against Adelaide is excellent, however its away record isn't as promising. The last six Saints vs Crows games have been won by the home team.
[ RELATED: In-depth preview: Adelaide v St Kilda ]
Both sides possess midfielders who are capable of racking up big numbers, and the last five encounters illustrate this quality.
Most disposals in last five St Kilda vs Adelaide matches (average):
1. N.Dal Santo | 31.8 |
2. S.Thompson | 30.4 |
3. L.Montagna | 29.2 |
4. B.Goddard | 26.2 |
Nick Dal Santo has been prolific in recent times against the Crows, collecting 30 or more possessions on all but one occasion in the past five matches.
Scott Thompson has been similarly productive, amassing 39 disposals the last time these two teams met.
Thompson's form has remained solid in 2013, ranked in the top ten for disposals across the first seven rounds. Jack Steven's 39 touches against Carlton catapulted the promising midfielder into the top 20 possession-winners in the AFL.
Highest average disposals in 2013 AFL season:
1. G.Ablett (GC) | 31.1 |
2. J.Watson (ESS) | 30.1 |
10. S.Thompson (ADE) | 27.4 |
16. J.Steven (STK) | 26.1 |
19. L. Montagna (STK) | 25.7 |
From a goal-kicking perspective, Stephen Milne has been the dominant player in recent St Kilda vs Adelaide clashes. The veteran this week breaks the record for most games by a rookie listed player, eclipsing James McDonald's 264 matches for Melbourne and GWS.
Most goals in last 5 St Kilda vs Adelaide matches:
1. S.Milne | 17 |
2. K.Tippett | 14 |
2. A.Schneider | 10 |
Most AFL games by a rookie-listed player:
1. S.Milne (STK) | 264 |
2. J.McDonald (MEL) | 264 |
3. D.Cox (WCE) | 258 |
4. B.Kirk (SYD) | 241 |
5. M.Michael (COLL, BRIS, ESS) | 238 |
Nick Riewoldt continues to excel this season, taking 13 marks and booting three goals last Monday against Carlton. He also became the first player to take 10 marks in 100 games of AFL football, exemplifying his dominance across a long period of time at the highest level.
Most marks in the AFL this season:
1. N.Riewoldt (STK) | 74 |
2. T.Cloke (COLL) | 62 |
3. M.Hibberd (ESS) | 57 |
4. H.Taylor (GEEL) | 56 |
5. M.Duncan (GEEL) | 51 |
Aside from his prodigious marking, Riewoldt is ranked sixth at St Kilda for inside 50s and first at the club for goal assists and goals. He has had a considerable influence on each of the seven games this season – both from a football and leadership perspective.
Most goal assists in the AFL this season:
1. R.Douglas (ADE) | 12 |
1. S.Dwyer (COLL) | 12 |
2. L Breust (HAW) | 11 |
20. N.Riewoldt (STK) | 7 |
R. Murphy (WB) | 7 |
J.Kennedy (WCE) | 7 |
St Kilda has booted 100 points or more in four out of its last six games against Adelaide, while the Crows have kicked over 90 points just once in this sequence of games.
Adelaide has conceded the fourth least points this season, while St Kilda is ranked 11th for points against and 14th for points for.
If 2012's high scoring thriller is anything to go by, expecting a high possession, handball-oriented style of game with goal-kicking midfielders like Dangerfield and Montagna crucial towards their teams' success.
You can follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32
