After going down to North Melbourne last Saturday, St Kilda will be looking to finish the last four games strongly – starting with Carlton on Sunday. These two last met back in Round 12, where a depleted Saints defeated the Blues by 32 points.
St Kilda vs Carlton
Round 12 - June 12, 2016
Summary
After a disappointing result against Adelaide the week before, St Kilda were desperate to right their wrongs before the bye.
Despite missing a core of their best 22 – including Sam Fisher, Nick Riewoldt, Sean Dempster and Paddy McCartin, the Saints shook off a slow start to assert their dominance. It took until the 15th minute for the game’s first goal, but from there, St Kilda booted four of the next six to take a slim lead into quarter time.
Continuing to build their lead as the game progressed, it was St Kilda’s unrelenting pressure and potency in attack that gave them an edge. Tim Membrey lifted in the absence of Riewoldt and McCartin, booting three first half goals. Lewis Pierce also got amongst it, kicking his first goal on debut.
Taking a 25-point lead into the second half, St Kilda swatted away any Carlton challenge. Building their lead, the Saints slammed the door shut on a Blues victory early in the last when star Jack Steven kicked a long running goal.
Player Performances
Stepping up as skipper in the absence of Nick Riewoldt, Jack Steven was immense all afternoon – collecting 25 disposals, nine tackles and three goals. Seb Ross led all comers with 33 touches, while Tim Membrey starred with five goals.
For Carlton, Kade Simpson showed his class with 30 disposals and eight marks. Ed Curnow worked tirelessly for his 29 touches, while Levi Casboult and Andrew Walker each kicked three goals.
Stats that mattered
Despite going -63 in disposals, the Saints dominated with +16 inside 50s and +27 tackles– highlighting their relentless pressure and high tempo ball movement.
Who was missing?
It will be a similar Saints side lining up on Sunday to the one that featured in Round 12. 18 of those who played in last Saturday’s loss to North Melbourne ran out against Carlton, emphasising the luxury of St Kilda’s settled line-up.
Of those who didn’t feature, Nick Riewoldt, Sean Dempster and Jack Billings should play this week – while Sam Fisher and Paddy McCartin remain in contention after returns from injury.
While for Carlton, 15 players who ran out in last year’s clash played in their 19-point loss to Hawthorn. Marc Murphy will likely miss again, while Dale Thomas, one of the Blues best last time these two met, is pushing for selection.
What the coaches said?
“Particularly in the second quarter, whilst the margin was created in the third, [it was] our ability to hunt and also defend really strongly from a team perspective. To see us come forward and be bold in the way we defended was the most positive,” – St Kilda coach Alan Richardson (June 12, 2016)
"They came with pressure, they came with intensity and they forced that a lot, so I need to acknowledge that as well.” – Carlton coach Brendon Bolton (June 12, 2016)
ST KILDA 4.2 8.3 14.8 17.8 (110)
CARLTON 3.0 5.2 8.3 12.6 (78)
GOALS
St Kilda: Membrey 5, Steven 3, Gresham 2, Acres, Montagna, Hickey, Pierce, Newnes, Ross, Weller
Carlton: Casboult 3, Walker 3, Wright 2, Simpson, Lamb, Gibbs, Everitt
BEST
St Kilda: Steven, Membrey, Ross, Webster, Newnes, Hickey, Montagna
Carlton: Simpson, Wright, Docherty, Curnow, Thomas
INJURIES
St Kilda: Lee (left knee)
Carlton: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Foot, Bannister, Dalgleish
Official crowd: 47,945 at Etihad Stadium
