Fresh off a significant win over premiership fancies Geelong, St Kilda will look to continue the winning form against the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium on Saturday. Last time these two met saw the arrival of a new key forward as the Saints ran out 28-point winners in Sam Fisher’s 200th game.

Gold Coast v St Kilda
Round 2, 2015

Summary

With multiple lead changes in the opening quarter, many were preparing themselves for a close encounter similar to the prior week against the Giants. 

However, a fierce battle it was not. Josh Bruce announced himself as a star key forward with four second quarter goals, six for the game. The pressure was immense and St Kilda gave the Suns no space, forced turnovers and punished their mistakes. Bruce’s four majors were complimented by first career goals to Jack Lonie and Jack Sinclair.

After such a frenetic and dominant second quarter, St Kilda changed the tempo after half time and controlled the contest. The lead remained at a steady seven goals, with the Saints showing maturity to deny any Gold Coast come back attempts.

Only junk time goals from the Suns would deny St Kilda a big margin, with the Saints leaving Gold Coast 28-point victors.

Player Performances

Josh Bruce starred up forward with six goals, four in the second quarter. Nick Riewoldt pushed further up the ground for 12 marks, 17 disposals and two goals, while David Armitage amassed 36 touches.

Michael Rischitelli had 35 disposals and a goal for the Sun, while Dion Prestia kicked two majors to go with his 27 disposals. Up forward, Tom Lynch showed his potential with three goals. 

Stats that mattered

Despite the dominant scoreline, St Kilda only had +4 inside 50s and 18 less clearances – highlighting the manic pressure around the ground to shut down any Gold Coast attack. Billy Longer dominated in the ruck with 39 hit-outs, while the tackle count was 66-53 in favour of the Saints.

Who was missing?

12 months is a long time in football and just 13 players who made the trip to Metricon featured in last weekend’s win over Geelong.

Sam Fisher, Sean Dempster and Jack Billings will be notable absentees as they battle injuries, while Nathan Wright's shoulder remains a test for this week. Tom Hickey and Seb Ross, who have both been in outstanding form this season, didn’t play last year and should front up for this week’s contest.   

While for the Suns, they find themselves in a similar position. 12 players who played in last year’s clash ran out against Hawthorn last week, with the club introducing a host of new players.

Trent McKenzie, who was omitted for last year’s game should play this weekend, along with Aaron Hall and Kade Kolodjashnji. Peter Wright, who stands at 203cm, has shown glimpses of promise throughout the year and will stretch the St Kilda defence.

What the coaches said? 

"I was pleased how we bounced back after half-time but that second quarter, not through effort I don't think, it was just horrific, the way we used the ball and a lot of basic errors," – Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade (April 11, 2015)

"You look for perfection as a coach so we did speak about the fact that they got right on top in clearances late in the game. But I thought for a big part of the game we were really strong in terms of putting pressure on." – St Kilda coach Alan Richardson (April 11, 2015)

GOLD COAST   3.5       4.6       5.13    10.16 (76)
ST KILDA         4.3       12.5    13.8    16.8 (104)

GOALS
Gold Coast: Lynch 3, Prestia 2, Hallahan, Rischitelli, Garlett, Bennell, Ablett
St Kilda: Bruce 6, Riewoldt 2, Saad 2, Sinclair 2, Roberton, Lonie, Dunstan, Curren 

BEST 
Gold Coast: Rischitelli, Prestia, Martin, Miller, Saad, Swallow
St Kilda: Bruce, Armitage, Fisher, Dunstan, Newnes, Longer

INJURIES 
Gold Coast: Jarrod Harbrow (shoulder), Mitch Hallahan (hip)
St Kilda: Adam Schneider (soreness) replaced in selected side by Nathan Wright, Ahmed Saad (concussion)