The twilight fixture in Super Saturday sees the Saints hosting the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium from 4.35pm. As always, check out our full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
The Before You Bet have you sorted for the AFL season with comprehensive coverage of the 2024 AFL Season including free previews and betting tips for every game this year. Head to our AFL Tips to stay up to date with all of our content during the 2024 AFL Season.
AFL Round 8 Preview & Betting Tips
St Kilda vs North Melbourne
Marvel Stadium, Saturday, 4.35pm (AEST)
The Saints are on a three game losing streak after a tough stretch of games and will be desperate to bounce back on Saturday afternoon to get their season back on track. Losses to the Giants and Power on the road had flattering margins for the Saints but their true form was exposed in Round 6 as they were smashed at Marvel Stadium to the tune of 60 points by the Bulldogs.
While hardly an excuse for their poor play over the last month, the Saints have battled some pretty significant injuries, and will get some cattle back this Saturday. Jimmy Webster makes his long awaited return after copping that lengthy suspension in the pre-season while Mason Wood, Max King and Jack Hayes all return from injury. Making way is Zaine Cordy, Anthony Caminiti, Cooper Sharman and Jack Higgins.
North Melbourne are one of the few teams going worse than the Saints at the moment, as they were beaten comfortably by the Crows in Hobart to fall to 0-7 on the season and currently sit on the bottom of the ladder. The Roos have an average losing margin of 52.6 points this season and have never really looked in a contest outside of brief spurts.
The Kangaroos will also make four changes for the Saturday afternoon fixture, with Toby Pink, Liam Shiels, Jackson Archer and Jaidyn Stephenson coming into the lineup. Charlie Lazzaro, Bigoa Nyuon, Will Phillips and Dylan Stephens were all omitted.
Match Prediction
The Saints just have to get back on the winners list here if they have any ambition of making the finals this season. In fact, they probably need to win all of their next three against the Roos, Hawks and Dockers, and a swing of the axe from Ross Lyon at the selection table throughout the week indicates some urgency.
They are a much better structured team when Max King is in the line-up and the run that MAson Wood provides on the wing has been sorely missed over the last month or so. I think the Saints bounce back and win this one against a weaker opponent, but the 36.5 point line is right on the money.
Instead I like the unders here. I think this 173.5 point total is a touch high given how poor both of these teams offences have been this season and how strong the Saints defence has been. I’d be surprised if the Roos kick more than eight or nine goals here.
Under 173.5
$1.90 (1 Unit)
Same Game Multi
Jack Hayes Anytime Goal - The big man returns to the Saints line-up for his first game since Round 24 last season. He booted 1 goal in that clash, his only game of 2023, while in 2022 he kicked six goals in five games.
Marcus Windhager 20+ Disposals - While many thought that Philipou and Owens would be the ones to soak up midfield time this season, it’s been Marcus Windhager who has seen a big spike in centre bounce appearances. He has had 20+ in 4/6 games this season and his last three in a row.
Under 183.5 Total - Largely detailed above. 6/7 Saints games this season have gone under this total.
SGM Odds: $2.40 at BoomBet
