You’d be pretty happy if you were a Norwood Oval enthusiast this week. The calibre of matches you’re getting for Gather Round this year are two incredible matches on paper and (hopefully) in practice.
St Kilda returns to the Parade where they played there last year. They host the GWS Giants who played at Norwood in the first year of footy’s newest carnival.
And it shapes to be an absolute cracker of a contest with both teams flying.
The Saints, after being smashed by Adelaide in Round 1 have been one of the surprise packets of the season and have transformed themselves into an exciting, high-scoring team.
The Giants, also sitting at 3-1 on the season, got things back on track last week as they brushed the Eagles aside to the tune of 80-points, and allowed some of their players to fill their boots on the stat sheet.
This should be a fun one to watch on a Sunday afternoon. For the latest team news, analysis, odds and betting tips, check out our Saints vs Giants prediction and preview below.
St Kilda Saints vs GWS Giants Predicted Teams
St Kilda Team List
B: Callum Wilkie, Anthony Caminiti, Ryan Byrnes
HB: Tobie Travaglia, Jimmy Webster, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
C: Marcus Windhager, Jack Sinclair, Mason Wood
HF: Bradley Hill, Mitch Owens, Jack Higgins
F: Darcy Wilson, Cooper Sharman, Hugo Garcia
Foll: Rowan Marshall, Jack Macrae, Jack Steele
Int: Zak Jones, Lance Collard, Liam Stocker, Max Hall, Angus Hastie
GWS Giants Team List
B: Connor Idun, Sam Taylor, Connor Stone
HB: Lachie Ash, Jack Buckley, Lachie Whitfield
C: Xavier O’Halloran, Finn Callaghan, Callan Ward
HF: Toby Greene, Jake Stringer, Brent Daniels
F: Darcy Jones, Jesse Hogan, Aaron Cadman
Foll: Kieren Briggs, Tom Green, Toby Bedford
Int: Jacob Wehr, Jake Riccardi, Harry Himmelberg, Callum Brown, Stephen Coniglio
St Kilda Saints vs GWS Giants Prediction & Betting Tips
Head-to-Head Prediction
The Saints love to run, kick and spread the ground.
This year, they’ve added a new and important dimension to their game. Scoring.
In its three wins on the bounce, the Saints have averaged 107 points per game and sit third overall for points per game this season. Almost unheard of for a Ross Lyon coached team!
While Norwood Oval doesn’t give them the opportunity to spread, the running and pinpoint kicking on the narrow ground will certainly come into play.
While the news that Max King has had another setback would be sobering, there is some cavalry expected back soon. Including the skipper Jack Steele who might even be back this week.
If he can ride shotgun with Jack Sinclair who has moved into the midfield in his absence (Lets see if he stays there this week), and Jack Macrae who has been nothing but impressive at his new club, imagine the level that the Saints can go too?
It’s a different type of test this week against the Giants, but it’s one they will fancy themselves in. Especially if the man in the boss has anything to do with it.
The Giants did the business against the Eagles after slipping against the Hawks the week before. They’d be hoping to get Stephen Coniglio back from injury, and that Brent Daniels can prove his fitness and take his place. Otherwise, they want for nothing really on paper.
Callum Wilkie will have his hands full with Jesse Hogan after he kicked nine goals last week. If the Giants can get the supply right to Hogan, Riccardi & Cadman, particularly at Norwood, It will be hard to see them losing this one.
All eyes will be on who Ross decides to send Marcus Windhager too for a tagging job. It would be funny if he chose Finn Callaghan, particularly after the discourse and drama about the Saints potentially chasing him.
Betting tip: GWS Giants
First Goal Prediction
He ruffled some South Australian feathers post game after he kicked five goals in the Saints win against Port Adelaide. Surely it’s written in the stars that Jack Higgins nails the first goal of the game and then busts out a Call of Duty celebration.
Higgins has had a cracking start to the year with 12 goals to his name across the four games so far.
Betting tip: Jack Higgins
Most Disposals Prediction
It’s 1 vs 2 in overall disposals for the league this season so far. Lachie Whitfield on one side and Jack Macrae on the other.
So you can toss a coin and see where it lands. Or, we can look outside the box a little bit. The centre square box too. Norwood Oval, looking for fast paced and directional footy to goal, Josh Kelly is looking good to me here.
Betting Tip: Josh Kelly 30 + disposals
St Kilda Saints vs GWS Giants Match Details
Date: Sunday April 13th
First Bounce: 3:20 PM, AEDT
Location: Norwood Oval, Adelaide
How to watch: Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo Sports