The Eagles will take on the Saints from Optus Stadium on Saturday night in Round 19 of the AFL! Can the Saints capture a crucial win to keep themselves in the hunt for the top eight? Check out our full preview and betting tips for the clash from PuntingInDanger below.
AFL West Coast vs St Kilda Betting Tips
Optus Stadium, Saturday 24th July, 4.35pm (AEST)
The Eagles and the Saints are both smack bang in the middle of the hunt for the final few spots in the top eight, meaning this clash is of vital importance to both teams.
Match Preview
The Saints came into their Round 18 clash against the Power on the back of three great wins and looking like the most improved team in the competition. They were competitive, but ultimately went down to Port by 13 points at Marvel Stadium. They still sit outside the eight on percentage alone, but due to some massive losses earlier in the season, they have the worst % of the four teams tied on 32 points.
As they have been all year, the Saints are still battling a long injury list, made even worse this week by the news that star ruckman Rowan Marshall will miss the game after having visited a COVID-19 hotspot through the week. Joining Marshall on the sidelines is Mason Wood, Ben Paton, Shaun McKernan, Daniel McKenzie, Jack Higgins, Jade Gresham, Jarryn Gear, Jake Carlisle, Hunter Clark and Josh Battle. The one positive is that Nick Coffield could come back into the side this week.
West Coast desperately needed a win in Round 18 and they got one, defeating the Crows by 42 points in a dominant performance. The win snapped a three game losing streak and kept the Eagles four points clear inside the eight.
Josh Kennedy should return from injury this week, while Jack Redden, Tom Barrass and Brendan Ah Chee aren’t far away.
The loss of Rowan Marshall is massive for the Saints. In my opinion, the key to their turn of form since their bye has been due to the dominant play of ruck duo Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall, so losing the latter will no doubt have a massive effect against one of the best ruckmen in the competition in Nic Naitanui.
The Saints are 5-2 with those two players in the line-up this season, and with at least one of them out, they are 3-7. At Optus Stadium, I can’t back the Saints with any confidence here.
West Coast -14.5 (1.5 Units)
$1.90
Same Game Multi
Brad Hill has been on a tear of late. It seems the Saints have finally realised that it is beneficial to give the ball to one of the best runners and kickers in the league. Since a 6-disposal effort in the win over the Kangaroos back in Round 11, Hill has averaged 25 touches per game including 29 against the Power on the weekend.
Luke Dunstan has been fantastic for the Saints since forcing his way back into the side back in Round 11. He has had at least 25 touches in each of his seven games since then including 32, 27, 29 and 29 in his last four.
The last leg of our same game multi is a pretty easy one. Shannon hurn has had 20+ touches in every game this season outside of the Round 4 clash against the Saints where he got injured. Has had 24, 27, 25, 26, 24, 25 and 24 in his last 7 games.
Hill 20+ Disp.
Dunstan 25+ Disp.
Hurn 20+ Disp.
WC vs STK Same Game Multi
$2.40
