By Luke Holmesby 8:04 AM
Thu 30 July, 2009
Where and when: SCG, Saturday, August 1, 7.10pm AEST
Head to head: Sydney Swans 125 wins, St Kilda 74 wins, three draws
Last time: St Kilda 12.8 (80) d Sydney Swans 9.11 (65), round one, 2009, at Docklands
MISSING IN ACTION
Sydney Swans
Daniel O'Keefe (ankle) – test
Nick Malceski (quad) – test
Amon Buchanan (knee) – test
Daniel Currie (foot) – 2-3 weeks
Ted Richards (chest) – 4-5 weeks
Lewis Johnston (foot) – indefinite
Brett Meredith (forearm) – season
Henry Playfair (hamstring) – season
Campbell Heath (knee) – season
St Kilda
Michael Gardiner (calf) – test
Justin Koschitzke (hand) - test
Jarryd Allen (hip) – indefinite
Xavier Clarke (knee) – season
Zac Dawson (suspended) – 1 week
FORM
Sydney Swans: LWLLW
St Kilda: WWWWW
SUMMARYSt Kilda ventures away from the comfort of the Docklands for just the fifth time this year to take on the Sydney Swans.
The Swans still have the faintest of hopes for a finals finish but it would take a minor miracle. Last week’s win over Melbourne at Manuka Oval was a scrappy affair with few highlights but the Swans showed that they still had the stars to step up when needed. Ryan O’Keefe has been in fantastic form recently and is definitely a dangerman.
The Saints seem to be going from strength to strength. Many tipped them to drop at least one of the past two matches but they beat the Crows and Bulldogs convincingly. Nick Riewoldt is the best forward in the competition at the minute and their midfield, led by Leigh Montagna, is playing exceptionally well.
Then there's the friendly rivalry between the two coaches, Ross Lyon and Paul Roos. Lyon has a good record against his old mate and will be keen to keep it that way.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Raphael Clarke (St Kilda)
For so long the St Kilda whipping boy, Clarke seems settled as a crucial part of the best defence in the competition. He has grown in confidence and while he still makes the occasional error, he is vastly improved. He was impressive in St Kilda’s 2008 finals campaign and will be looking to consolidate his spot for this year’s action. This week marks his 50th game at AFL level.
Darren Jolly (Sydney Swans)
He has been one of the best ruckmen in the competition and if he can get on top of the Saints it will hurt their hungry midfield. Michael Gardiner is no certainty to return from a calf injury so the Saints’ ruck stocks could be depleted. Jolly could be the most important player on the ground.
QUESTION MARKS
Will the Saints adjust their game to the SCG? St Kilda has played most of its games at Docklands and the tiny SCG is a different beast. Their signature has been to shut down opposition’s space so with even less room to move, maybe it is the home team that should be worried.
Are the Swans still chasing a finals spot or is their season over? You’d probably find better odds of Barry Hall being the next Dalai Lama but there is still a mathematical possibility of the Swans making it to September. Everything has to fall into place for them and by this time next week their season will probably be over.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
St Kilda has taken on every challenge in recent weeks and it seems like a very real possibility that it will go through the season undefeated. If they do drop one, it won’t be this week.
PREDICTION
St Kilda by 38 points
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
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