<p>The Hawks are starting to roll.&nbsp;</p> <p>After dishing out a pounding to the Roos last week, they return to Melbourne to take on St Kilda under the lid at Marvel Stadium. Which would be a nice change of scenery, given they’ve played their last two games in freezing cold Tasmania.&nbsp;</p> <p>Harsh critics will take some gloss off the performance last week because they beat up on a Kangaroos side who were nursing their premiership hangover… sorry, a win over Carlton from the previous week. But it was actually one of Hawthorn's most complete and comprehensive performances of the season. It would have been just what Sam Mitchell would have wanted to see, regardless of the opposition, in the first week after the bye, as they prepare themselves for the run home.&nbsp;</p> <p>St Kilda delivered one of its best performances since the start of the season last week, as it gave top-four contenders Fremantle a massive scare before being overrun in the final quarter.&nbsp;</p> <p>While the Saints have slumped to only two wins from their past 11 matches, Saints fans would have been buoyed by what they saw from their team, particularly the future iterations of the Saints.</p> <p>Impressions were left well and truly by the likes of Max Hall, Darcy Wilson, and Tobie Travaglia, who all continue to grow. But the biggest impression was made by young draftee Alix Tauru.&nbsp;</p> <p>‘The Flying Viking’certainly flew around Optus Stadium with no fear - almost like another St Kilda legend with a blonde mop of hair who had little regard for his personal safety and beelined the ball. He’s certainly worth getting excited about.&nbsp;</p> <p>On a selection front, the Hawks were dealt a significant blow this week with the news that Josh Weddle would miss a significant chunk of the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his back.&nbsp;</p> <p>It sucks for the Hawks to lose a player of Weddle’s ilk, but it could be offset by the return of all of skipper James Sicily, Jack Scrimshaw and James Worpel from respective injuries.&nbsp;</p> <p>Power forward Mitch Lewis returned from an ACL layoff in the VFL and kicked goals on managed minutes. Young forward Calsher Dear also pressed his claims for a recall with some goals and 12 marks, but he is likely to be held out by Max Ramsden again.</p> <p>For the Saints, Jimmy Webster is available after being managed for the trip to Perth. Bradley Hill also missed the trip west, but his form might dictate that he isn’t a walk-up start back into the starting 23. Paddy Dow is closing in on a return after a few strong weeks in the VFL, while young mid Hugh Boxshall also pressed his claim with a strong performance.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Saints vs Hawks prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs Hawthorn Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>St Kilda Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Liam Stocker, Anthony Caminiti, Alix Taru</p> <p>HB: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Callum Wilkie, Jack Sinclair</p> <p>C: Darcy Wilson, Hugo Garcia, Tobie Travaglia</p> <p>HF: Mitch Owens, Mason Wood, Max Hall</p> <p>F: Liam Henry, Cooper Sharman, Jack Higgins</p> <p>Foll: Rowan Marshall, Jack Macrae, Jack Steele</p> <p>Int: Isaac Keeler, Marcus Windhager, Hunter Clark, Dan Butler, Hugh Boxshall</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Hawthorn Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: James Sicily, Tom Barass, Changkuoth Jiath</p> <p>HB: Jarman Impey, Josh Battle, Jack Scrimshaw</p> <p>C: Karl Amon, Conor Nash, Massimo DÁmbrosio</p> <p>HF: Blake Hardwick, Jack Gunston, Nick Watson</p> <p>F: Dylan Moore, Mabior Chol, Jack Ginnivan</p> <p>Foll: Lloyd Meek, Jai Newcombe, Josh Ward</p> <p>Int: Cam Mackenzie, Connor Macdonald, James Worpel, Seamus Mitchell, Max Ramsden&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs Hawthorn Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Saints hold sway in the recent head-to-head against the Hawks, saluting in six of the past 10 matches.&nbsp;</p> <p>But the Hawks would feel most comfortable returning to Marvel Stadium, a place they have lost only once over the past two seasons.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks have also won their past 10 matches against teams that start the round in the bottom four.</p> <p>After three wins in a row, the Hawks have elevated themselves to have the fifth-best profile in the competition and are getting back to their kicking game that worked so well for them in their run from 15th to the semi-final last season.</p> <p>The Saints drop off from the promising start to the season has been expected, and the remainder of the season, as pointed out at selection last week, is about building towards the next great St Kilda team.&nbsp;</p> <p>That’s in a different stage to where Hawthorn is right now. We think the Hawks will take advantage of the young Saints and keep the good times rolling.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-hawthorn-9366245">Hawks</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>He’s been quiet the last couple of weeks, but Saints fans would be loving the development of Cooper Sharman this season. Forced into the role of being the main man in the absence of Max King, Sharman has grown into a good AFL player.</p> <p>He has goals in previous games against the Hawks, we’re backing him to hit the board first.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-hawthorn-9366245">Cooper Sharman</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>The Hawks are getting their kicking game going again, and winger Karl Amon is central to that again.</p> <p>Starting the plays from halfback and linking up through the wing, he’s starting to have a big impact across the competition and for the Hawks. He’s our pick for most disposals this week again after topping the charts last week.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/st-kilda-v-hawthorn-9366245">Karl Amon 30+ disposals</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda Saints vs Hawthorn Hawks Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, July 5, 2025</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> Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports</p> <p><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> &nbsp;</p>