<p>Friday night footy arrives at Marvel Stadium for the first time in 2025 as St Kilda plays host to Fremantle.</p> <p>After a bright start to the year, the Saints have come tumbling down the ladder after consecutive heavy defeats to the Dogs and Lions, both at Marvel and require a win to get back on track.</p> <p>Fremantle’s up-and-down season continued when they took care of business at home against Adelaide on ANZAC Day. Their strong midfield led the way, bullying the Crows mids around the ball.&nbsp;</p> <p>Brayshaw, Serong, Hayden Young, and Matt Johnson took control, and the tall trio of Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss, and Oscar McDonald hit the scoreboard meaningfully with two goals each.</p> <p>In a boost to the Dockers, the big man stocks are set to be bolstered with ruckman Luke Jackson set to return from a hamstring injury that has kept him out for the past three weeks.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Saints have said goodbye to ‘cuddly Ross’ in recent weeks and welcomed back ‘Angry Ross’ with the coach viscerally unleashing on his side several times during and after the game in response to the poor performances against the Dogs and Lions.</p> <p>Young midfielder Hugo Garcia felt the full brunt of the coach's wrath, becoming Ross’ second rage-sub victim in as many weeks as he called for the change before halftime for the second week in a row.</p> <p>Not being one to give many second chances, you sense there might be some changes at the Saints this week. How many though remains to be seen.</p> <p>There will be at least one forced change with Mason Wood missing the game through concussion protocols.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s set to be an intriguing game on Friday night.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Saints vs Dockers predictions and preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs Fremantle Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>St Kilda Predicted Team&nbsp;</h3> <p>B: Ryan Bynes, Callum Wilkie, Marcus Windhager</p> <p>HB: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Dougal Howard, Liam Stocker</p> <p>C: Darcy Wilson, Jack Sinclair, Tobie Travaglia</p> <p>HF: Jack Higgins, Mitch Owens, Bradley Hill</p> <p>F: Cooper Sharman, Anthony Caminiti, Lance Collard</p> <p>Foll: Rowan Marshall, Jack Macrae, Jack Steele</p> <p>Int: Isaac Keeler, Jimmy Webster, Hugh Boxshall, Max Hall, Zak Jones</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Fremantle Predicted Team</h3> <p>B: Luke Ryan, Alex Pearce, Josh Draper&nbsp;</p> <p>HB: Jordan Clark, Brennan Cox, Heath Chapman</p> <p>C: Jeremy Sharp, Matt Johnson, Hayden Young</p> <p>HF: Shai Bolton, Jye Amiss, Michael Fredrick</p> <p>F: Sam Switkowski, Josh Treacy, Luke Jackson</p> <p>Foll: Sean Darcy, Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong</p> <p>Int: Oscar McDonald, Karl Worner, Murphy Reid, Corey Wagner, Isaiah Dudley</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs Fremantle Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>This matchup has been quite even over the last few years. In the past 10 meetings between these two sides, they have split the results evenly at five games each.</p> <p>It makes this Friday night's game a classic ‘eight-pointer’ - especially when you look at where both of these sides are currently placed on the ladder.&nbsp;</p> <p>Last Friday was the best version of the Dockers we’ve seen this season. They finally executed the aggressive and attacking game style that matches their list profile to the best of their ability. Justin Longmuir will be imploring his side to bring that level of play every week, and not revert to slo-mo mode because the difference is chalk and cheese.</p> <p>&nbsp;At their best, they are one of the better teams in the competition. Consistency has plagued them so far this season, and that will decide whether or not they play finals.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Saints will bring their effort and pressure and will no doubt be hammered all week by Lyon and co about maintaining the rage and running both ways in the middle of the ground. They will be expecting a bigger output from their captain, Jack Steele, who has been battling with form and injury troubles this season.&nbsp;</p> <p>They will need to improve their work out of the middle, though, with the Saints ranking a lowly 13th for clearances, compared to the Dockers, who are rated ninth. It’s a big game for the Saints.&nbsp;</p> <p>If they want to stay in touch with the finals race, they need to bounce back with a win here. We think Freo has that little bit more quality, so we’re backing them to fly in, grab the points, and then go home with them.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-fremantle-9148529">Fremantle</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Many would have done a double-take when they looked at the top of the Coleman Medal standings halfway through the round last week and saw Jack Higgins’ name at the top of the pops.</p> <p>He’s kicked multiple goals in every game this season and has kicked 13 goals in four games at Marvel Stadium this year. We’re looking at him to spark the Saints into action.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-fremantle-9148529">Jack Higgins</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Pick your favourite Freo midfielder.&nbsp;</p> <p>Andrew Brayshaw has been in sensational form this season. He’s topped the 30 disposal mark over the past two weeks and averages over 31 touches when he plays the Saints.</p> <p>Looking at the patterns, he and his good buddy Caleb Serong have gone in two-week blocks of being the highest ball winners on the ground, with Serong topping the charts in the previous fortnight before Brayshaw’s recent bout of leather poisoning. So, we’re backing Serong to start his two-week stretch with a mountain of ball.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-fremantle-9148529">Caleb Serong (30+ disposals)</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs Fremantle Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Friday, May 2nd, 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>First Bounce: </strong>7:40 pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Marvel Stadium, Melbourne.</p> <p><strong>How to watch: </strong>Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo Sports.</p>