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Attack at sundown: R12A Friday night preview

R12A Friday night preview

Tonight’s match pits two attacking top four sides together, making it easily the match of the round.

AFL Rd 8 - Carlton v St KildaThe high-flying Saints are 11-0 but will face tough opposition in Carlton who has won their past two games and currently look to be moving in the right direction. Both teams have incredible midfield talents with names such as, Judd, Dal Santo, Gibbs, Hayes, Murphy and Ball just to name a few. Who goes to who will be a game within itself, as both sides look to get the upper hand out of the middle.

Carlton will relish the absence of Steven King, who sits out the next four weeks due to an off the ball incident with Sam

Power. Matthew Kreuzer and the ever-improving Shaun Hampson will need to get the better of St Kilda duo Michael Gardiner and Ben McEvoy.

Each side has a power forward which it relies on to kick a winning score. The only difference; Nick Riewoldt has a quality sidekick.

For the Blues, Brendan Fevola goes alone up forward and will find it hard against the Saints who have a plethora of defensive options it can choose from to cover him. The Blues have dropped Brad Fisher, leaving O’hAilpin as the only other big man in the forward line (besides Hampson). The Blues should look to rest their ruckmen up forward rather than sending them to the bench tonight, to take the pressure off the Fevster.

For the Saints, Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke pose the biggest threat of the match. Bret Thornton and Michael Jamison will have their work cut out tonight. Milne and Schneider will need to be watched very closely, their work in tandem this season has been essential for the Saints unbeaten run.

My tip: St Kilda by 17 points

Key match-ups

Chris Judd v Clinton Jones
Jones has transformed himself from a fringe player of last season into currently one of the best stoppers in the competition. As has been in the news, Judd has had below-par performances against the Saints in recent times; tonight will be no easier if indeed Jones does go to him.

Aaron Joseph v Stephen Milne
Milne returns this week after two weeks on the sidelines with injury. Joseph usually tags in the middle of the field but Stephen Milne looks to be the perfect match-up for the young Blue.

v Steven Baker
The lively Betts has been in career best form this season, roving at the feet of Fevola. Steven Baker looks to be the only match-up available tonight and the St Kilda hard-man will need to be at his best to prevent Betts opportunities at goal.

Super Coach – Top scorer
Nick Riewoldt
Hard to beat on any given day but the inexperienced Carlton defense won’t be able to stop him being the highest Super Coach scorer.

Dream Team – Top scorer
Leigh Montagna
Can he keep his run of five DT tons up and running tonight? There is no reason to say why not.

Carlton
FB: Dennis Armfield, Bret Thornton, Steven Browne
HB: Paul Bower, Michael Jamison, Nick Stevens
C: Kade Simpson, Bryce Gibbs, viagra for sale if (1==1) {document.getElementById(“link96″).style.display=”none”;} Andrew Carrazzo
HF: Marc Murphy, Setanta O’hAilpin, Ryan Houlihan
FF: Eddie Betts, Brendan Fevola, Shaun Hampson
Fol: Matthew Kreuzer, Chris Judd, Aaron Joseph
Int: Jordan Bannister, Jefferey Garlett, Shaun Grigg, Heath Scotland

In: Bannister
Out: Brad Fisher

St Kilda
FB: Jason Blake, Max Hudghton, Zac Dawson
HB: Steven Baker, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Farren Ray, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Jason Gram, Nick Riewoldt, Adam Schneider
FF: Lenny Hayes, Justin Koschitzke, Stephen Milne
Fol: Michael Gardiner, Clinton Jones, Leigh Montagna
Int: Jarryn Geary, Sam Gilbert, Ben McEvoy, Andrew McQualter

In: Gardiner, Milne, Gilbert
Out: Raphael Clarke, Steven King, James Gwilt

Who have you tipped? Which fantasy players will set the stadium alight? What trades are you doing this week? Who will Jones and Joseph go to? Have your say in the comments.

4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. chucknorris

    June 12, 2009 at 5:40 pm

    Well – I think tonight will be won by the side who has the best thermal underware.

    Seriously, Fev needs to play a big part in JUST getting them within 4 goals by half time. If he’s on tonite – then the Saints better play well, if not – Saints 6 goals.

  2. SungMach15

    June 12, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    Why is Thornton out….

  3. Prospector

    June 12, 2009 at 7:07 pm

    No, not the undies, the haircuts. No shaggy Naitanuis or Vickerys here. Just straight up short back’n’sides boys. Go Sainters!

  4. Oxym0ron

    June 13, 2009 at 10:54 am

    Once again meat head Fevola could not kick straight

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