3 minute read
Racing and Sports will provide analysis of many games in the 2021 AFL Season.
We'll endeavour to run through the form, incorporate appropriate stats and also supply a betting prediction which won't always just be who will win.
ST KILDA V PORT ADELAIDE
Saturday 17 July @ Marvel Stadium
This is another of those Round 18 games with sides inside the Eight against those on the periphery and anything could happen.
Once again the loser's impact will be profound. That will be on a weekly basis but also longer term as the finals begin to take shape.
Port has been really poor against those elite teams this year. They've failed in the big moments as we saw to Geelong and Melbourne lately and they even came at home.
Now they have to travel to Melbourne and face a side who are on somewhat of an upward spiral. There are signs that they can put efforts together but also play a method that is sustainable.
Crucial to that is the adjunct of Ryder and Marshall. That can be considered a main reason why they improved last year and a very good reason they've fallen this year with both having unavailability at times.
When they step onto the field together good things tend to happen. It's not so much the numbers that are produced but more the spread of workload and the linkages to a style of player.
Tough nuts like Steele, Dunstan, Jones and Ross plus the addition of Crouch, while all a bit similar, do mount up. The thing against the Lions was they all came in droves and monstered a Top 4 team.
They tackled and harassed big names and put them off their game. They get to repeat that to a similar side who has shown vulnerabilities.
Jack Steele has led the way and he deserves great credit because he isn't or wasn't a big name recruit initially from GWS but has prospered under the responsibility of leadership.
With all that intensity it allows Bradley Hill especially to run freer and create for the forwards. Instead of him being the creator and pressured, he is the icing on the cake much like when at Hawthorn.
Can they create that swarm over Port who must bring their own level of passion to Melbourne? They didn't have a good night last Thursday.
Left to too few, Melbourne got hold of them after half time. Wines continues to have his best year but their young guns didn't fire and then on top of that Butters got injured again.
Port has to arrest this schism they have with those around them on the table. It won't be much of a Finals campaign if you can't beat those who will contest with them.
This is another match-up where results have tossed and turned of late. The game back in April was a nine goal hiding to the Power.
Working this one out will take some doing. It's the clearance and ruck work that St Kilda live for against the spread and speed of Port Adelaide. It means Lycett will need more support than just a pinch hitting Aliir Aliir.
The Power changes are interesting with talls coming in and losing faster smalls in Rozee, Motlop and Butters.
St Kilda probably doesn't deserve to be favourites on their form in total but will be close to it. They have confidence which fluctuates but Port do too. For that reason and reason alone, the Saints to win but anything is possible.
They must, MUST kick straight and none of this horrible conversion. 8.15 for example won't cut it.
Match Selection: St Kilda by 7 points
Suggested Bets: St Kilda 1-39 @ $2.30
