Collingwood v St Kilda at the MCG, 7.10pm, Saturday 9 August
FORECAST
A shower or two, Minimum: 6, Maximum: 11
BETTING
Collingwood $2.25, St Kilda $1.60
LAST TIME THEY MET
Collingwood 16.7 (103) d St Kilda 14.10 (94), round eight, 2008 at Telstra Dome
FORM GUIDE
Collingwood has dropped its past three games, against North Melbourne, Essendon and Hawthorn. The last two losses have been quite large and the side badly needs a win, or risks dropping out of the eight for the first time since round five.
St Kilda has been flying winning four of its past five matches, with the only hiccup coming against the West Coast Eagles. Now that Robert Harvey has announced he will retire at the end of this season, the Saints will be trying desperately to make every post a winner.
MEDICAL ROOM
Simon Prestigiacomo (groin) is available for Collingwood, while Anthony Rocca (ankle) and Ben Reid (foot) will miss three to five weeks. Sean Rusling (shoulder), Toby Thoolen (hamstring) and Brad Dick (knee) are out for the season.
St Kilda will test Jayden Attard (knee), while Luke Ball (hamstring) will miss two to three weeks. Eljay Connors (shoulder), Matt Maguire (foot) and Luke van Rheenen (foot) will miss the rest of the season.
RANDOM FACTS
- Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury will play his 50th AFL game on Saturday night.
- Collingwood has beaten St Kilda more times than any other team in the competition, winning on 148 occasions.
- St Kilda’s Robert Harvey announced his retirement 20 years to the day after he made his debut on August 6, 1988.
KEY MATCH UPS
Scott Pendlebury v Robert Harvey
This match-up will pit the young gun against the old bull. Harvey took a heavy knock in the clash against Port Adelaide last week, but the gritty veteran still came back onto the field in the final quarter and gave his side a much-needed boost. After announcing his retirement he will undoubtedly look to perform at his best. Pendlebury was great against the Saints earlier this year, winning 25 possessions and kicking a goal, similar to Harvey in the same match, who had 24 possessions and kicked a goal.
Paul Medhurst v Jason Gram
Gram has been instrumental in St Kilda’s turnaround in fortunes this year, grabbing a heap of possessions and showing plenty of pace -- last week he even pushed forward to kick two goals, including the match-sealer late in the piece. Medhurst has kicked a goal in every game this year and will continue to pose a threat for the St Kilda defence.
Sharrod Wellingham v Leigh Montagna
While St Kilda’s midfield has been accused of being too slow this year, Montagna has proved, amongst others, that this is simply not the case. Whoever matches up on Montagna will need to have plenty of pace, and the youngster Wellingham, could be up for the task.
WHAT THE CLUBS SAY
Collingwood
“The last two weeks the reserve side has done very well but they have also played the sides that are on the same level as us. We have to be careful that we don’t throw players in.
“The side will change; it’s an absolute certainty the side is going to change because we are playing a different side.
“We are going to cast our eye through the VFL side to see if players that we think can hold up because this is going to be a crunch game. St Kilda is a very good football side. We are fighting for the same spot. We both want a position in the eight.” – Mick Malthouse, senior coach.
St Kilda
“I understand everyone crystal balling and talking about finals, but you can’t play in them until you’re in them,” – Ross Lyon, senior coach.
