Opposition Analysis | Round 23 vs. St Kilda
This Saturday night, Geelong will face St Kilda in the second-to-last round of the AFL home and away season. A victory would secure Geelong’s spot in the top eight and solidify their position in the top four before the final round.
Geelong is coming off a strong performance, having defeated Fremantle at Optus Stadium. Conversely, St Kilda has been in form recently, winning three of their last four games, including a notable 48-point victory over Richmond last Sunday. This match will also be Geelong’s only game at Marvel Stadium in the 2024 season.
Team Statistics:
– Geelong: 4th place (14 wins, 7 losses)
– St Kilda: 14th place (9 wins, 12 losses)
Points For:
– Geelong: 1907
– St Kilda: 1565
Points Against:
– Geelong: 1746
– St Kilda: 1595
Captain Matchup:
Patrick Dangerfield and Jack Steele will be key players in this matchup. Dangerfield is coming off a strong game against Fremantle with a season-high 11 clearances and eight score involvements. Steele, on the other hand, has been consistent throughout 2024, averaging over 24 disposals and five clearances per game. Their performance in their previous encounter will be pivotal for their teams.
Defensive Strategies:
St Kilda is known for its defensive style, allowing the second-fewest points in 2024. They have managed to limit their opponents to 21 goals from 125 inside 50 entries in their last three wins, translating to a 17% conversion rate. In contrast, Geelong has kicked 39 goals from their last three games with a 25% conversion rate, which they need to maintain.
Neutralizing Key Players:
St Kilda’s ball movement relies heavily on kickers like Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jack Sinclair, who average over 18 kicks per game. Geelong will need to effectively neutralize these key players to limit St Kilda’s offensive efficiency.
