Where and when: Riverway Stadium (Townsville), Saturday June 15, 1.45pm AEST
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What it means for Gold Coast: The Suns are desperate to win. They've lost eight matches straight and need some impetus heading into the bye. Their encouraging first month seems so long ago now and a victory in front of their North Queensland fans would do wonders for the remainder of the year.
What it means for St Kilda: Like the Suns, the Saints' feel-good start to the season feels an age ago. Fresh off the bye, a win would well-and-truly extricate them from the bottom four teams and keep their finals hope flickering.
The stat: One Sun flying under the radar this season is small forward-turn-midfielder Darcy MacPherson. He is ranked fourth in the competition for average pressure acts (25.6 a game) and fifth for tackles (6.6).
The match-up: Tim Membrey v Jack Hombsch
With a backline in constant flux through injury, it’s hard to know the Suns' specific matchups, but Hombsch (360 on the Official AFL Player Ratings) is a good fit for the athletic Membrey (No. 185). The Saint has kicked two goals in each of his past four outings against Gold Coast and again looms as a dangerman in a versatile forward set-up.
It’s a big week for: Will Brodie. The young Gold Coast midfielder is in his third season and played just 14 games. Brodie was recalled to play North Melbourne last start and had a good outing with 30 disposals, but needs to back it up to solidify his position.
Will Brodie is one of a number of young Suns searching for consistency. Picture: AFL Photos
Big call: Both teams to top 90 points in the warm, dry conditions.
Prediction: Saints by 12 points.
