The Saints will look to end the season on a winning note as they square off against Fremantle from Blundstone Arena on Sunday afternoon. Check out our full preview, best bet and same game multi for the clash courtesy of PuntingInDanger below.
AFL St Kilda vs Fremantle Betting Tips
Blundstone Arena Sunday 22nd August, 12.15pm (AEST)
It’s all on the line for the Dockers, who must win to give themselves a chance at playing finals in 2021. As for the Saints, top 8 isn't mathematically out of the question, but would need to record the biggest win in the history of AFL football to find themselves in the top eight come Sunday afternoon.
(Article was written prior to the first game of R23)
Match Preview
The Dockers recorded a defining win in the Western Derby on the weekend to keep their season alive. They now sit in 10th place on the ladder, outside of the top eight on percentage points alone. A win here paired with a Giants or Bombers loss on the weekend could see them playing finals for the first-time since the 2015 season.
The Dockers were brilliant in the win over the Eagles on the weekend, snapping an 11-game losing streak in the Western Derby without star players in the likes of Nat Fyfe, Andrew Brayshaw and Michael Walters. The face a St Kilda side that they have struggled against in recent years, winning just one of their past four encounters.
The Saints had multiple opportunities to secure a spot in the top eight earlier in the season, most notably back in Round 20 when they faced the Blues. They went down by 31 points that night, all but ending their season and while they were great against the Swans the week after and gallant against the Cats last week, it’s all been pretty irrelevant.
Injuries have ravaged the Saints this season, and that trend continued against the Cats as they lost star forward Max King to a groin injury. They likely won’t take any chances with King this week, who will join a long list including Josh Battle, Jack Billings, Jake Carlisle, Jarryn Geary, Ben Paton and Paddy Ryder on the sidelines.
When the Saints have had everything on the line this season, they have generally failed, and when they have had nothing to play for they have generally looked like a top eight side. I think they play a pretty aggressive style of football in an attempt to go out on a high, which should open up the scoring for the Dockers as well. Tough to pick either side at the 5.5 point line, but I do really like the overs here.
Over 147.5 (1.5 Units)
$1.90
Same Game Multi
Could Jack Steele win the Brownlow this season? Our Brownlow Bandit has him in the top three at the moment alongside Ollie Wines and Marcus Bontempelli and he had another big game against the Cats with 30 touches. Has racked up 30 touches in six of his last seven.
Brad Hill had a really quiet game against the Cats on the weekend, recording just nine touches in the loss. The only other time he had under 10 touches this season was back in Round 11 against the Roos. He was heavily criticised in the media throughout the week and bounced back with a 25-disposal game. Will want to impress against his old side.
Andrew Brayshaw will return to the line-up this week after missing one game through suspension. With no Nat Fyfe or Michael Walters in the side, Brayshaw will shoulder a heavy load in the midfield, one that he has been relishing in the back half of the season. Averages 28.4 touches this season and has surpassed 25 in five of his last six.
Jack Steele 30+ Disposals
Brad Hill 20+ Disposals
Andrew Brayshaw 25+ Disposals
STK vs FRE Same Game Multi
$2.87
