Lachie’s AFL Round 20 Preview: Hawthorn Hawks v St Kilda Saints | Betting Preview
This one could be a strangely entertaining games. The Hawks don’t have much to play for, but they do come to play often, and put up some great performances whilst playing very eye-pleasing football. The Saints, on the contrary, are not pleasing on the eye, and have been very poor lately, but there season is well and truly on the line. With their current position in the 8 being increasingly vulnerable with the form or other sides just below or around them, and their tough run coming up, they simply must win this match to keep their season alive. Read below for selection for the game and the reasoning behind it!
Hawks To Add To Saints Recent Misery
Join NowIn a crucial clash at Marvel Stadium, the Hawthorn Hawks will take on the St Kilda Saints in what promises to be an intriguing encounter. Both teams have had contrasting fortunes recently, setting the stage for an exciting contest.
The Saints find themselves sitting 8th on the ladder with a record of 10-8, but their form in the last five weeks has been far from inspiring. They have suffered comprehensive defeats against the Lions, Demons, and Suns, and managed narrow victories against the struggling Eagles and Roos. This inconsistent run of form has raised concerns among their supporters and put their finals hopes at risk.
On the other hand, the Hawthorn Hawks, currently placed 16th with a 5-13 record, have little to play for in terms of ladder positions. However, they have not been deterred by their situation, displaying determination and fight in their recent matches. Despite losing four of their last five games, the Hawks showed resilience in tight encounters against GWS and Richmond, and recorded a convincing victory against North Melbourne.
The key to Hawthorn’s unpredictable and dangerous style lies in their fast and attacking gameplay, which centers around rapid handballing and ball movement. This was evident earlier in the season when they produced a major upset by defeating the Saints. St Kilda’s defensive strategy of sitting back and intercepting long bombs could be vulnerable to Hawthorn’s quick, precise ball movement if not addressed effectively.
Adding to St Kilda’s challenges are the significant injury absences of key players like King, Hill, Howard, and Membrey, creating a void in their key positions. This puts added pressure on their depth and may expose vulnerabilities that the Hawks could exploit.
Considering the recent form, the Hawks appear to be playing better football at the moment, making them a genuine threat to the Saints. With their playing style already proven effective against St Kilda and the latter’s injury woes, the Hawks will undoubtedly enter the game with confidence.
Prediction: While St Kilda is desperate for a win to resurrect their season and secure a finals berth, the absence of key players and the Hawks’ dangerous style make it a challenging task. Expect Hawthorn to put up a spirited fight, and they might even upset the Saints once again. As a cautious approach, taking the +4.5 handicap for Hawthorn seems like a reasonable choice.
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