ST KILDA v COLLINGWOOD

Venue Telstra Dome
Date Friday, May 16
Time 7.40pm
Head to head St Kilda 53 Collingwood 147 Drawn 1
Last time Collingwood 12.17 (89) bt St Kilda 12.8 (80) R14, 2007, MCG
Betting TAB Sportsbet: St Kilda $2.25 Collingwood $1.60 Centrebet: St Kilda $2.40 Collingwood $1.57

ST KILDA
B: Leigh Fisher, Max Hudghton, Sean Dempster
HB: Jason Gram, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Nick Dal Santo, Luke Ball, Leigh Montagna
HF: Adam Schneider, Charlie Gardiner, David Armitage
F: Fraser Gehrig, Justin Koschitzke, Stephen Milne
Foll: Steven King, Lenny Hayes, Robert Harvey
I/C: Michael Gardiner, Jason Blake, Shane Birss, Raphael Clarke
EMG: Matthew Ferguson, Jarryn Geary, Andrew McQualter
In: Blake, L Fisher, King, Hudghton
Out: Nick Riewoldt (knee), Xavier Clarke (hamstring), Matt Maguire (foot), Steven Baker (knee)

COLLINGWOOD
B: Heath Shaw, Shane Wakelin, Rhyce Shaw
HB: Nick Maxwell, Nathan Brown, Heritier O’Brien
C: Scott Pendlebury, Scott Burns, Tarkyn Lockyer
HF: Alan Didak, Anthony Rocca, Paul Medhurst
F: Dane Swan, Travis Cloke, Dale Thomas
Foll: Chris Bryan, Shane O’Bree, Leon Davis
I/C: Martin Clarke, Ben Johnson, Sharrod Wellingham, Cameron Wood
EMG: Ryan Cook, Tyson Goldsack, Ryan Lonie
In: Bryan, Rocca, Wellingham
Out: Josh Fraser (knee), Ryan Cook, Tyson Goldsack

Summary Even nestled comfortably inside the top eight with a 4-3 win-loss record, St Kilda's season is poised precariously. With Nick Riewoldt and Matt Maguire injured - the latter to miss the rest of the season - the Saints don't look anywhere near as menacing as they did pre-season. They got out of jail against Richmond in their last match and are yet to convince they are a serious finals side. Pies ruckman Josh Fraser is almost certain to miss with a knee injury, but spearhead Anthony Rocca returns. Collingwood will still be smarting from their spanking by Hawthorn a fortnight ago, and could climb further into the top eight if they can beat the Saints.

Key Justin Koschitzke will need to step up for the Saints in Riewoldt's absence if they are to find the avenues to goal to beat Collingwood, who have plenty led by Rocca, Paul Medhurst, Alan Didak and Travis Cloke.

Tip Collingwood by 9 points