SUMMARY
St Kilda has its season back on an even ledger at 2-2 without having played its best football. It comes into this game on the back of two relatively scrappy wins against the Brisbane Lions and Collingwood and will likely need to be cleaner with the ball against Geelong to cause an upset. The speed the Saints have plays well under the roof at Etihad Stadium and will cause concerns for the Cats. By Chris Scott's own admission, his side isn't at its best despite sitting unbeaten through the first four rounds. Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood have typically been in excellent form but impressive contributions from the likes of Tom Hawkins, Mitch Duncan and Steven Motlop are what can make this side a premiership contender.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday, April 23, 3.20pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R14, 2016, St Kilda 14.9 (93) d Geelong 13.12 (90) at Etihad Stadium
R21, 2015, St Kilda 14.13 (97) drew Geelong 15.7 (97) at Etihad Stadium
R13, 2014, Geelong 20.13 (133) d St Kilda 5.7 (37) at Simonds Stadium
R18, 2013, Geelong 21.11 (137) d St Kilda 5.6 (36) at Simonds Stadium
R21, 2012, Geelong 18.15 (123) d St Kilda 11.15 (81) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. In round 14 last year, the Saints led by 24 points at half-time before the Cats kicked nine goals to six in the second half, forcing the Saints to hold on. Seb Ross was best on ground for the Saints with 33 disposals.
2. The Cats are ranked second for points per game, averaging 121.7 through four matches. They have been equally as stingy, ranked second for points conceded, at 82.2 points per game.
3. St Kilda’s win in 2016 was its first over Geelong since the 2010 qualifying final. The last two clashes have gone down to the wire: a draw in 2015 before the thriller in 2016. The Saints haven’t won consecutive clashes with Geelong since 2010.
4. The Saints are the No.1 contested marking side in 2017, averaging 13.8 per game. Geelong has also been impressive in this area, ranked sixth at an average of 12.3.
5. Nothing separates the sides at Etihad Stadium: 15 clashes for seven wins each and one draw.
6. In-form Geelong forward Tom Hawkins entered the top 50 of the Schick AFL Player Ratings for the first time in his career this season, on the back of his accurate haul of 16.5 this year.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Nathan Brown.
The former Collingwood defender has been playing well and stopping power forwards in the mould of Tom Hawkins are exactly the reason he was recruited to St Kilda. Hawkins has kicked 20 goals in his past five games against the Saints.
PREDICTION: Geelong by eight points.
