Head to head: St Kilda 47 wins, Carlton 156 wins, two draws
Last time: St Kilda 16.8 (104) d Carlton 14.11 (95), round 12, 2009 at Etihad Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
St Kilda
Jason Gram (hip) - test
Luke Miles (stress fracture fibula) - indefinite
Nick Riewoldt (hamstring) - 10-14 weeks
Jesse Smith (ankle) - indefinite
Carlton
Brad Fisher (knee) - 3-4 weeks
Shaun Grigg (ankle) - 2 weeks
Richard Hadley (knee) - 2 weeks
Shaun Hampson (hamstring) - test
Andrew Walker (collarbone) - 6 weeks
FORM
St Kilda: WWWLW
Carlton: LLWWL
SUMMARY
This game shapes up as a potentially fascinating clash between two sides playing vastly different styles of football.
The Saints choked the life out of the free-running Bulldogs in round six, before hitting them with a three-goal last quarter to grab the points. With the continued long-term absence of Nick Riewoldt and the failure of Justin Koschitzke to fire in attack, they will likely look to do the same against the Blues to maintain their place in the top four.
The Saints choked the life out of the free-running Bulldogs in round six, before hitting them with a three-goal last quarter to grab the points. With the continued long-term absence of Nick Riewoldt and the failure of Justin Koschitzke to fire in attack, they will likely look to do the same against the Blues to maintain their place in the top four.
Brett Ratten's men swamped the Cats in round five with a new, more mobile backline generating much of their run. A lively small forward line also did the damage that day against the premiers, but the Blues copped a reality check against arch-rival Collingwood a week later.
The outcome of Monday night's game will depend largely on which version of Carlton runs out of the Etihad Stadium race.
PLAYER TO WATCH
St Kilda looked to Justin Koschitzke to provide a forward target in Nick Riewoldt's injury-enforced absence but the big man has failed to deliver, with just one goal in two weeks since his return from suspension. If he can find the sort of form that produced 48 goals in 2009, the Saints will be a much more formidable unit.
Speaking of unlikely key forwards, years of development appeared to pay off for Carlton's Setanta O'hAilpin against Collingwood, when he booted five goals. The Irishman isn't the prettiest footballer going around but he continually makes contests and gives his teammates an option. Will be looking to consolidate his good form against the Saints.
QUESTION MARKS
Will St Kilda seek to strangle the Blues in the same way that they quelled the Dogs' run? The neutrals might not like it, but it could be their best tactic at the moment.
Which is the real Carlton? The fleet-footed mosquito fleet that left Geelong for dead, or the inconsistent group that shone for a quarter against Collingwood before burning out?
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
If the Saints can keep the Blues' key midfielders quiet enough for long enough, their defenders should easily quell the threat posed by O'hAilpin and Carlton's fleet of small forwards. Even if the Blues do break free for a period, they will struggle to get on top of the stingiest defence in the League and that alone should to see St Kilda clear.
PREDICTION
St Kilda by 18 points
Follow Cameron Noakes' inside view of St Kilda v Carlton at #aflsaintsblues on Twitter.com from 7.20pm Monday or @AFL_CamNoakes#aflsaintsblues
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
