The Saints will look to win their fourth game on the trot when they face off against the Brisbane Lions from the Gabba on Saturday night. Check out our full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
Remember to head to our AFL Tips page for dedicated previews on all six games in Round 13 of the season.
Brisbane vs St Kilda Betting Tips
Gabba, Saturday 11th June, 7.25pm (AEST)
Brisbane
Injuries: Darcy Gardiner (Out) Joe Daniher, Kai Lohmann (Test)
Unless something goes wrong at training this week, Daniher will be available to play St Kilda on Saturday night. The Lions are still waiting on results of scans on Gardiner’s rib injury sustained against Fremantle, which will likely keep him out.
The Lions looked like they were going to cruise home to a top four finish and probably meet the Melbourne in the Grand Final. However, just like the Demons, Brisbane has faultered in the last few weeks, losing to Hawthorn before claiming a scrapy win over the Giants and then losing to the Dockers on the road.
They now sit above Fremantle on the ladder by percentage alone, but have something to be excited about as key forward Joe Daniher should return to the line-up this week. It will be the first time that Daniher and running mates Dan McStay and Eric Hipwood have played in the same team all season, and the now three pronged attack with the emergence of McStay looks extremely dangerous.
St Kilda
Injuries: Nick Coffield, Dan Hannebery, Jack Hayes, Jack Steele (Out)
St Kilda has a relatively clean bill of health emerging from the mid-season bye with Steele the clear notable absentee at this stage of proceedings. Jack Higgins and Hunter Clark have proven fitness and could make their returns this week against the Lions.
After disappointing back to back losses to the Power and Demons, the Saints looked a strong outfit over the following three weeks, getting a brilliant win over Geelong before taking care of business against weaker Adelaide and North Melbourne sides. They get another real test to prove their worth this week as they travel north.
The Saints have had a top two defence in the league this season, allowing just 70 points per game and with tall defenders in Howard, Battle and Wilkie alongside the dual rick combo, they are one of the few teams in the league that is equipped to deal with a fully fit Brisbane forward line.
Match Prediction
I think Brisbane are the stronger side at the Gabba, but the Saints will have the added benefit of the extra week break here. There are a few key players for the Lions who won't be 100% match fit in the likes of Hipwood, Daniher and Zorko.
The Lions start as 17.5 point favourites, which due to the above factors, I think is a touch high. The Saints defence has been too good this season to allow a blowout here.
St Kilda +17.5
$2.00 (1.5 Units)
Prop Bets
Bradley Hill has been relishing his role since moving back to the half back line over the last few weeks. In his last two games he has racked up an average of 31.5 touches and is great odds to have just 25 against the Lions.
Brad Hill 25+ Disposals ($2.02 at Ladbrokes)
Ben Long has been doing a job in the Saints forward line this season, generally running with the most damaging Lions mid/forward. I think he'll spend some time on Hugh McCluggage this week in an attempt to stem his influence. McCluggage is just $1.75 to get 25+ touches at Ladbrokes, so you ahve to assume when his over/under comes out closer to game time, it will be either 26.5 or 27.5. I like the unders on both of those numbers.
Hugh McCluggage Under 26.5> Disposals (Odds Coming Soon)
