Monday May 12, 7.20pm (AEST)
Etihad Stadium
Fox Footy (live)
Overview:
St Kilda and Carlton will square off on Monday night in what looms as a pivotal game for both teams.
The Blues have teased their fans from time to time in 2014, but looked to be short of a gallop for much of last Friday’s 34-point loss to Collingwood. Central to Mick Malthouse’s concerns is the lack of goal-kicking firepower.
Jarrad Waite’s likely re-inclusion after back spasms forced him out last week will help the issue, but if Carlton is going to kick consistently winning scores then it needs the likes of Dale Thomas and Bryce Gibbs to drift forward more effectively.
While the Blues have a 10-day break, St Kilda’s nine-day gap allows Alan Richardson to properly review a disastrous Saturday afternoon at the MCG against a rampant Hawthorn outfit.
Having reflected on this 145-point humbling, they will undoubtedly feel renewed enthusiasm and vigour ahead of a very winnable game this Monday.
And here in lies the beauty of this contest: The fact that both teams will consider this a genuinely winnable game, coupled with the spotlight of a standalone Monday evening game, creates potentially enthralling contest.
St Kilda must attempt to limit the influence of Marc Murphy, Kade Simpson and Andrew Walker, while shutting down the prolific and damaging Leigh Montagna will be high on Malthouse’s list.
Carlton has performed below expectations this year, while St Kilda has exceeded them. If the Saints triumph, this status quo will be vindicated.
Stat focus:
- The Blues have registered more running bounces than any other team this year
- Carlton is ranked first for free kicks received in the AFL, but 18th for goals from free kicks.
- Leigh Montagna is ranked equal fifth (with Gary Ablett) for total kicks
- Nick Riewoldt is ranked second for total marks, averaging 9.3 per game
- Marc Murphy has received more free kicks (23) than any other player in the AFL this year
- Luke Delaney has been involved in 23 one-on-one marking contests this season, and lost one of them.
Injury list:
St Kilda:
Sam Fisher (hamstring) – 4-6 weeks
Sam Gilbert (foot) – 9-10 weeks
Nathan Wright (leg) – 10-12 weeks
David Armitage (leg) – 3 weeks
Eli Templeton (arm) – 3-4 months
Jarryn Geary (arm) – 3-4 months
Andrew Carrazzo (back) – test
Ed Curnow (leg) – 4 weeks
David Ellard (calf) – test
Chris Judd (hamstring) – 3 weeks
Matt Kreuzer (foot) – 8-10 weeks
Jarrad Waite (back) – test
Chris Yarran (hamstring) - test
St Kilda 11.13 (79) defeated by Hawthorn12.10 (82)
Carlton 10.10 (70) defeated by Collingwood 14.20 (104)
St Kilda: Leigh Montagna
Since missing round one due to suspension, Leigh Montagna has been in blistering form.
Not only is the midfielder averaging 29.3 disposals per game, but he’s also averaging 5.3 tackles every time he plays – a key indication that his defensive intensity is just as relevant as his offensive run.
Despite last week’s heavy loss, Montagna collected a game-high 39 touches and registered 12 clearances.
Much like Montagna, Murphy’s performance on Monday night will be a critical aspect of the game.
The former No.1 draft pick is averaging 24.3 disposals and seven tackles per outing this year.
Collingwood nullified Murphy last week and held him to just 20 touches and kept him goalless, but it’s hard to see the 2011 All-Australian having two down matches in succession.
Watch out for:
St Kilda: Nick Riewoldt
It’s very rare that Nick Riewoldt has three quiet weeks in succession, so after two games where the Saints skipper has been slightly below his best, expect him to come out firing on Monday night.
Riewoldt has a superb record Etihad Stadium. No player has booted more goals at the ground than him, and he relishes the shut roof and dry conditions that favours his prodigious marking qualities.
Carlton: Brock Mclean
Consistency hasn’t been the former Melbourne ball-winner’s hallmark in 2014, but when he’s on, Mclean is an extremely valuable player for the Blues.
His value was evident two weeks ago against West Coast, when he amassed 32 disposals and booted a goal in the hard-fought win.
While he doesn’t possess the raw pace of Chris Yarran, or the smooth-moving credentials of Marc Murphy, Mclean is a player not to be scoffed at, because what he does have is a seemingly innate knack of winning the contested ball and competing fiercely in the clinches.
Last time they met:
Round 16, 2013 at Etihad Stadium
St Kilda 10.14 (74) defeated by Carlton 16.14 (110)
Disposals: Hayes (28), Simpson (28)
Goals: Lee (3), Henderson (4)
Injury list:
St Kilda:
Sam Fisher (hamstring) – 4-6 weeks
Sam Gilbert (foot) – 9-10 weeks
Nathan Wright (leg) – 10-12 weeks
David Armitage (leg) – 3 weeks
Eli Templeton (arm) – 3-4 months
Jarryn Geary (arm) – 3-4 months
RELATED: Round 8 injury update
Carlton:Andrew Carrazzo (back) – test
Ed Curnow (leg) – 4 weeks
David Ellard (calf) – test
Chris Judd (hamstring) – 3 weeks
Matt Kreuzer (foot) – 8-10 weeks
Jarrad Waite (back) – test
Chris Yarran (hamstring) - test
SCOUTING REPORT: Carlton injury news
Last week:St Kilda 11.13 (79) defeated by Hawthorn12.10 (82)
Carlton 10.10 (70) defeated by Collingwood 14.20 (104)
RELATED: Shenton elevated
Running hot:
St Kilda: Leigh Montagna
Since missing round one due to suspension, Leigh Montagna has been in blistering form.
Not only is the midfielder averaging 29.3 disposals per game, but he’s also averaging 5.3 tackles every time he plays – a key indication that his defensive intensity is just as relevant as his offensive run.
Despite last week’s heavy loss, Montagna collected a game-high 39 touches and registered 12 clearances.
RELATED: Montagna - lessons to be learned
Carlton: Marc MurphyMuch like Montagna, Murphy’s performance on Monday night will be a critical aspect of the game.
The former No.1 draft pick is averaging 24.3 disposals and seven tackles per outing this year.
Collingwood nullified Murphy last week and held him to just 20 touches and kept him goalless, but it’s hard to see the 2011 All-Australian having two down matches in succession.
Watch out for:
St Kilda: Nick Riewoldt
It’s very rare that Nick Riewoldt has three quiet weeks in succession, so after two games where the Saints skipper has been slightly below his best, expect him to come out firing on Monday night.
Riewoldt has a superb record Etihad Stadium. No player has booted more goals at the ground than him, and he relishes the shut roof and dry conditions that favours his prodigious marking qualities.
Carlton: Brock Mclean
Consistency hasn’t been the former Melbourne ball-winner’s hallmark in 2014, but when he’s on, Mclean is an extremely valuable player for the Blues.
His value was evident two weeks ago against West Coast, when he amassed 32 disposals and booted a goal in the hard-fought win.
While he doesn’t possess the raw pace of Chris Yarran, or the smooth-moving credentials of Marc Murphy, Mclean is a player not to be scoffed at, because what he does have is a seemingly innate knack of winning the contested ball and competing fiercely in the clinches.
Last time they met:
Round 16, 2013 at Etihad Stadium
St Kilda 10.14 (74) defeated by Carlton 16.14 (110)
Disposals: Hayes (28), Simpson (28)
Goals: Lee (3), Henderson (4)
