St Kilda will be looking to rectify last week’s big loss to Adelaide when they take on Carlton this Sunday at Etihad Stadium. These two last met round 4 last year at Westpac Stadium in New Zealand, where Carlton won a game of two halves by 40 points.

St Kilda vs Carlton
Round 4 - April 25, 2015

Summary

With the honour of playing the ANZAC Day clash in New Zealand, Jack Steven and Jack Sinclair helped get the ball rolling after a sluggish start. With the Saints jumping out to 26-point lead at one stage, St Kilda were capitalising on scarce chances in a congested and scrappy affair.

As the game progressed, Carlton worked their way into the contest. The Blues got on top in centres clearances and chipped away at St Kilda’s lead. However, just as Carlton would strung a few goals together, the Saints kicked crucial goals to keep the Blues at arm’s length. Jack Sinclair provided some much needed scoreboard relief as St Kilda went into the main break holding a 13-point advantage.  

Carlton came out of half time where they left off, kicking the first goal through Bryce Gibbs and applying scoreboard pressure on the Saints. The third quarter belonged to the Blues, booting seven goals to St Kilda’s two as they reversed the half-time lead and led by 13-points going into the final quarter.

With the Saints seemingly out of legs, Carlton ran away with the contest and returned to Australian shores with a 40-point win.

Player Performances

Billy Longer played his best game for the club, dominating the ruck with 20 disposals (15 contested) and 51 hit outs. David Armitage worked hard for his 27 disposals and seven tackles, while Jack Lonie showed silk and class with 17 disposals and two goals. 

For Carlton, it was a breakout performance for Patrick Cripps, collecting 33 touches and laying 11 tackles. Marc Murphy was judged best on ground with 34 disposals, while now former Blues Lachie Henderson (five goals) and Tom Bell (four goals) hit the scoreboard.

Stats that mattered

Statistically, it was a tough afternoon for the Saints. Carlton won the clearances 51-43, dominated inside 50s 61-46 and total possessions 376-308.

St Kilda laid 96 tackles, highlighting how hard the Saints worked to stay in the contest. Jack Steven was at the forefront, laying 11 tackles.

Who was missing?

It will be a totally different team this week to the one that featured in New Zealand. Just 12 players who made the trip across the ditch played in last Sunday’s loss to Adelaide. That number will be reduced by two, with Sean Dempster and Paddy McCartin ruled out through injury.

Maverick Weller and skipper Nick Riewoldt missed the clash with calf injuries, and while Weller is available to selection this week, Riewoldt is 50/50 after sustaining a knock to his knee against Adelaide. Brodie Murdoch has shown the fruits of VFL development since returning to the Saints side, putting in promising performances in his last two outings.   

Just nine players who played in last year’s clash ran out in Carlton’s big win over Brisbane on Saturday, with the Blues turning over their list at end of last season. Marc Murphy won’t play this week as he recovers from an ankle injury, while Tom Bell and Lachie Henderson were traded at the end of 2015.

New recruits Jacob Weitering, Lachie Plowman, Matthew Wright and Jed Lamb have been handy recruits for Carlton coach Brendon Bolton’s new look Blues, while Irishman Ciaran Byrne has been in excellent form of late.

What the coaches said?

“Sometimes success is measured through meritocracy with a bit of luck. We weren’t flash, but the ball just started to fall our way and then you increase your belief and then what starts off as rise turns into a solid victory,” – Carlton coach Mick Malthouse (April 25, 2015)

"We definitely fell away after half time, but the start was positive. We’ve had a real focus on getting going early and making sure we’re in the contest to give ourselves a chance.” – St Kilda coach Alan Richardson (April 25, 2015)

ST KILDA    5.3   8.6   10.8   12.9 (81)
CARLTON   1.2   6.4   12.9   18.13 (121)

GOALS
St Kilda: Sinclair 2, Shenton 2, Bruce 2, Lonie 2, Steven, Dunstan, Billings, Armitage
Carlton: Henderson 5, Bell 4, Gibbs 2, Everitt 2, Jones, Ellard, Cripps, Tuohy, Armfield

BEST 
St Kilda: Armitage, Longer, Steven, Schneider, Geary
Carlton: Murphy, Cripps, Henderson, Bell, Tuohy, Everitt, Walker 

INJURIES 
St Kilda: Roberton (leg)
Carlton: Tutt (general soreness) replaced in selected side by Dick, Ellard (nose), Buckley (corked thigh)