The annual Spud’s Game takes centre stage on Friday Night Football in Round 9 as the Saints host the Blues at the MCG from 7.40pm. Check out our full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
Also, Before You Bet will be providing free previews and betting tips for EVERY game in the 2025 AFL season, so make sure to head over to out our AFL Tips regularly to keep up to date with all of our free content.
St Kilda vs Carlton
Location: MCG
Date: Friday 9th May
Time: 7.40pm (AEST)
Odds: St Kilda ($2.25) vs Carlton ($1.64)
Line: Carlton -7.5
Points: 167.5
Odds and lines provided with thanks to Dabble. Note that odds and lines can fluctuate throughout the week, and are correct at the time of writing.
Match Preview
The Saints have been a tough team to get a read on so far this season. They are currently 4-4 and sit just outside the top eight. They have had one of the harder schedules to start the season and have already recorded impressive wins over the likes of Geelong, Port Adelaide and Fremantle. They have also had horrendous losses to Adelaide, Brisbane and the Western Bulldogs.
They were back to their defensive best last week against Fremantle, keeping them to just 7 points in the first half and 33 for the match as they recorded a 61 point victory. Off season recruit Jack Macrae was impressive once again, racking up 38 touches including a game high 14 clearances and 10 score involvements in a best on ground performance.
The Saints are still without some key players in Max King, Dan Butler and rookie Alix Tauru, but they could get a handy influx of talent back in the side this week as Hunter Clark, Mattaes Philippou and Mason Wood are all pushing for selection.
The Blues have been similarly inconsistent to the Saints, although they have had a much easier run to start the season, with two of their three wins to date coming over the Roos and Eagles. They snapped a three game winning streak on the weekend with a dismal performance against Adelaide, going down by 60 points at Adelaide Oval.
The Blues defence has been strong this season, ranking in the top four in the league, but they have failed to get anything going in attack, currently ranked 11th in offence, averaging just 83.5 points per game.
The Blues have injury concerns of their own, with a host of best 22 players on the sidelines in Adam Cerra, Alex Cincotta, Orazio Fantasia, Brodie Kemp, Nic Newman, Jack Silvagni and Zac Williams.
Given the inconsistency of both teams here, this game is almost impossible to pick. However, I do think the Saints seemed to figure something out in their contested ball and clearance game last week against the Dockers. They also generally go to a different level in these one-off MCG home games they have been getting over the last few years.
In 2023, they defeated the Bombers in their 150 year celebration game at the MCG and last year, they were too good for Collingwood in their home MCG clash, downing them by 15 points in front of 70,000. I think they cover the 7.5 point line here. They have also won 9 of their last 12 against the Blues.
St Kilda +7.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
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To follow our multi, just click on the BoomBet BetShare button below and our same game multi selections will be added straight into your bet slip on BoomBet. You can then enter how much you wish to wager, and with a single click, your bet has been placed!
Cooper Sharman 2+ Goals - Sharman announced himself as a genuine forward threat last week in the win over the Dockers. He clunked 9 marks and booted 4.2, and has now kicked 11 goals in the six games since returning from injury. Should continue to get plenty of looks with Max King out of the side.
Jack Macrae 25+ Disposals - Has played all eight games this season and has missed the 25 disposal mark just twice. Had a season high 38 on the weekend and will continue to be the Saints No.1 midfielder in CBAs.
George Hewett 25+ Disposals - In a similar vein to Macrae, Hewett has played all eight games this season and is yet to miss the 25 disposal mark. Averaging 29.5 and had 32 against the Saints last year.
SGM Odds: $4.20 at BoomBet
