Buoyed from a 69-point win last week, St Kilda will head up north this Saturday to take on a battle-hardened Gold Coast side.
Fresh off a stirring performance against Hawthorn, the Saints finally seemed to find their groove as they stormed home under the roof at Marvel Stadium.
However, the Suns will be ready for a fight after their impressive win over Collingwood at the MCG, the first time Gold Coast have ever beaten the Magpies in Melbourne.
Both sides will be eager to stay on the winners list and keep in touch with the top eight as the bye rounds begin to loom.
Round 8 | 2021
Gold Coast v St Kilda
Saturday 8 May
Metricon Stadium, 1:45pm
Broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo
The Key Storylines
The Two Kings
Come Saturday, the backyard rivalry between the King brothers will once again be broadcast on the AFL stage, for only the second time in their careers.
The twins have only battled each other once at an AFL level, with Ben snagging three majors and Max kicking one, but it was the latter that had the last laugh that year, as the Saints knocked off the Suns in a heart-stopper at Metricon.
The brothers will not only be eyeing off two wins in a row, but bragging rights too.
Less than a kick
The experts are having a hard time picking the winner in St Kilda’s game against Gold Coast this Saturday, and recent history suggests another knife-edge result is on its way.
The Saints have won their past five matches against the Suns, but the last four of them have all been decided by less than a kick.
In 2018 at Metricon Stadium, they famously came from 39 points down late in the third quarter to register the last 11 scores and steal the four points 80-78.
2019 saw a one-point classic at Docklands and a four-point heart-stopper in Townsville, while last year St Kilda again came from behind, four goals from Dan Butler gaining them the four premiership points … by four scoreboard points.
Second home
Metricon Stadium may be listed as an away game for the Saints, but the ground is no stranger to the club.
In 2020, due to the COVID pandemic forcing games out of Victoria, St Kilda played four matches at Metricon, against Fremantle, Gold Coast, Hawthorn and Richmond, the latter in the semi-final.
Where the match is won
Gold Coast is clearly an improving team this year, concentrating on solid defence by packing its defensive 50 and repelling opposition attacks at the second-highest rate (79%) of any team in the AFL.
The Suns’ ball movement in the back half is methodical with plenty of short kicks and low risk. Their attack features dangerous young forwards such as Izak Rankine, Ben King and Josh Corbett who cannot be taken lightly if given space to lead into.
The Saints’ defensive pressure will be the key.
Teams
With a rousing win against the Hawks, plus strong performances in the VFL, competition for spots to line up against the Suns will be fierce.
Tom Highmore had his most impressive game to date on Sunday, racking up 30 disposals and 14 marks in a best-on-ground display for Sandringham, collecting the Silk-Miller Memorial medal for his efforts.
Luke Dunstan is a chance, after amassing 35 touches and slotting three goals in another dominant game.
Jack Lonie is also an option for Brett Ratten, as he managed to boot three majors himself, as well as grabbing 22 touches.
Some words from Ratts
On the radar
Gold Coast’s Brandon Ellis is in some form coming into his 200th AFL game.
The milestone man had a day out against the Pies at the MCG, collecting 35 touches, kicking a major, pulling down 16 marks, and going at 97% disposal efficiency.
He is averaging 27 touches per game, so the Saints will look to quell the impact of the Suns’ midfield bull.
Keep an eye on
Hunter Clark has been a shining light for St Kilda this season, with his defensive pressure and intercept marking ability causing headaches for opposition sides.
He had another strong outing last Saturday, collecting 26 disposals, and booting two majors, including a masterful piece of work where he fooled both opposition and teammates, just ask Jack Higgins.
His form is imperative for the St Kilda defence, and he will be looking to minimise the impact of the Gold Coast forwards.
Last time we met:
It was a thriller at Metricon the last time these two met, with Brett Ratten’s men taking home the chocolates by four points in Paddy Ryder's 250th.
Jack Billings was elite across the ground with 27 touches, while Jack Steele was his outstanding self, collecting 21 disposals and booting two majors.
Dan Butler kicked four, including the sealer with only minutes left on the clock, but it was the defensive heroics of Hunter Clark that were crucial in securing a St Kilda win.
Despite a last-gasp goal from Izak Rankine with two-minutes left on the clock, the Saints were able to hold on for a riveting win.
GOLD COAST 2.1 6.5 8.7. 11.8 (74)
ST KILDA 3.2 6.2 9.4 12.6 (78)
GOALS
Gold Coast: King 3, Miller 2, Powell 2, Rankine 2, Lemmens, Anderson
St Kilda: Butler 4, Steele 2, Battle 2, Gresham, Kent, Marshall, King
BEST
Gold Coast: King, Miller, Greenwood, Witts, Weller, Rankine, Collins
St Kilda: Butler, Steele, Billings, Clark, Ryder, Battle, Carlisle, Hill
Moment of the match:
With three minutes left, and the game in the balance, it was the final quarter efforts of Hunter Clark that helped seal the win for the boys in red, white and black.
Crashing into contest after contest with a combination of fierce determination and silky skills, Clark was able to ensure Gold Coast couldn’t break the Saints open.
It was the defender who started the chain which led to Butler’s fourth goal, and his defensive pressure meant despite a late goal from Rankine, the Suns couldn’t add another one before the final siren.
