Geelong are set to take on St Kilda this Saturday night in the penultimate round of the AFL home and away season.
With a win the Cats can officially secure a spot in the top eight and their place in September, while also remaining firmly cemented in the top four heading into the final round.
Geelong are coming off one of their strongest performances of the season, taking down Fremantle at Optus Stadium in a thrilling contest.
St Kilda can not be taken lightly after finding form over the past month, winning three of their last four games including a comfortable 48 point victory over Richmond last Sunday.
Saturday night will also be the Cats one and only game at Marvel Stadium in the 2024 season.
Ladder
Geelong: 4th (14-7)
St Kilda 14th (9-12)
Points For
Geelong – 1907
St Kilda - 1565
Points Against
Geelong – 1746
St Kilda - 1595
The Captain Battle
Geelong and St Kilda are both led from the front by tough midfielders, with Patrick Dangerfield and Jack Steele set to square off on Saturday night.
Dangerfield is coming off a dominant performance against Fremantle, picking up a season high 11 clearances and eight score involvements to help the Cats secure an important win.
Jack Steele has been ultra consistent in 2024, averaging over 24 disposals and five clearances per game.
The two captains were both heavily influential for their respective sides in the round one clash, making this a battle to watch on Saturday.
Finding a way through the Saints Defence
It is no secret that St Kilda likes to play a defensive style of football, conceding the second least total points to opposition teams in 2024.
In their last three wins, the Saints have only conceded 21 goals to their opposition from 125 inside 50’s, working out to a conversion rate of approximately 17%.
The Cats on the other hand have kicked 39 goals from their last three games, at a conversion rate of around 25%, something they will need to maintain against the Saints.
Restricting St Kilda’s Kicking Prowess
The Saints ball movement heavily relies on their designated kickers, most notably Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jack Sinclair.
Peeling off half back, the pair both average over 18 kicks per game and they are the trusted players to try and pick off kicks into the corridor.
Geelong have been terrific at neutralising these threats so far in 2024.
