SUMMARY
For one quarter in round three St Kilda looked capable of its second upset win for the season. Things unravelled quickly after quarter-time, though, and the Saints found themselves on the end of a 74-point loss to Collingwood. They'll be keen to respond and win for the first time in their adopted second home of New Zealand on Anzac Day. The Blues also played three quarters of poor football against Essendon but won the final term by 15 points, with wayward kicking costing them a shot at an upset win. Both teams will travel to Wellington viewing this as a winnable match in a season that may not provide many wins for either.
WHERE AND WHEN: Wellington Stadium, Saturday, April 25, 1.10pm NZST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Saints have lost their two previous matches in Wellington on Anzac Day, falling to the Sydney Swans in 2013 and the Brisbane Lions narrowly in 2014. Carlton will play on Anzac Day for the first time since 1993 when it met St Kilda at Waverley Park.
2. Carlton hasn’t had much of the football in 2015, ranked equal last for disposals a game (327). St Kilda is averaging 358.7 disposals.
3. The Blues continue to be a poor tackling team in 2015, averaging only 52.3 a game. The Saints have only been marginally better with 62 a game.
4. Mick Malthouse equals Jock McHale’s VFL/AFL coaching record of 714 games against the team he began his long league career with, playing 53 games for St Kilda in the early 70s.
5. Two of the top three tacklers so far in 2015 will be playing in this game. St Kilda’s Maverick Weller is No.1 with 24 tackles while the Blues' Bryce Gibbs is No.3 with 22.
6. St Kilda midfielder Jack Newnes has been on a steep climb in the Official AFL Player Ratings. Newnes started 2014 ranked No.427 overall, but is now at No.302. He is ranked No.9 at the Saints.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Chris Judd. The champion midfielder was tagged and scragged by opponent Jake Melksham in round three and, a few brilliant clearances aside, had his impact limited. It won't get any easier against Mav Weller, who is winning a lot of his own ball. The fact teams still send a hard tag to Judd is a sign of the way he can still turn games. He deserves more help from his teammates this week.
PREDICTION: Carlton by 12 points
