Super Saturday in the AFL continues from 2.10pm as the Gold Coast Suns host the St Kilda Saints from Metricon Stadium. PuntingInDanger is back on deck with a full preview and betting tips for the clash below!
AFL Gold Coast vs St Kilda Betting Tips
Metricon Stadium, Saturday 2.10pm (AEST)
The Saints and Suns are both coming off wins in Round 7 and both currently sit just outside the top eight with a 3-4 record. They can reinsert themselves back into the hunt with a win here.
Match Prediction
That was the St Kilda we have been waiting for all season. Round 7 saw them put the Hawks to the sword at Marvel Stadium, kicking 19 goals on the way to a 69 point win. They were faster, more skilful and played the way many thought they would at Marvel in the lead up to the season. Zak Jones was best on ground with 37 touches and two goals while the return of Paddy Ryder seemed to have an immediate impact, with the Saints winning the clearances 42-32.
The Suns were also impressive in Round 7, travelling to the MCG and downing a struggling Magpies team by 44 points. Brandon Ellis was fantastic in the win, racking up 35 touches and booting a goal on his way to a best on ground performance. The one thing that the Suns are probably lacking through seven rounds is a decent scalp, with an out of form Sydney team being their most impressive win.
The Saints injury list is getting better week by week and the addition of Paddy Ryder last week addressed their biggest weakness. Jimmy Webster also returned and solidified the backline against the Hawks. James Frawley played in the VFL on the weekend and could be in line for selection against the Suns while Dan Hannebery and Jarryn Geary are still a few weeks away. Gold Coast are still without a bunch of key players in the likes of Connor Budarick, Matt Rowell, Jacob Townsend, Rory Thompson and skipper Jarrod Witts.
The bookies pretty much have this one as a straight pick’em, which seems about right given the two teams forms so far this season. I gave the Saints one more chance last week and they didn’t disappoint, finally turning out the performance that I had been expecting of them all season. The return of Paddy Ryder can’t be understated, it allows Rowan Marshall to spend the majority of his time forward, which is massive for the Saints.
The Saints have been dominant against the Gold Coast in recent history, winning their last five games straight, two of those wins including the most recent coming on the Gold Coast. Back the Saints to win this one.
St Kilda H2H (1.5 Units)
$1.94
Suns Prop
Across the last five games against the Saints, all losses, the Suns average 76.8 points per game. There is rain all week on the Gold Coast and while there is currently not any forecast for Saturday, it is forecast to be cloudy. They average 76.4 points this season, I like the Suns to go under on total points on Saturday.
Saints Prop
Hard to look too far past the Zak Jones disposal market on the weekend for the Saints prop. The midfielder came back into the side in Round 6 and had just 10 touches but bounced back against the Hawks with 37. He was in the centre square for a large majority of the centre bounces and should be around the action plenty on Saturday.
