Key forward Paddy McCartin is one of two inclusions to St.Kilda’s side to face the Bulldogs on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium.
19-year-old McCartin kicked seven goals in the VFL last weekend to go along with 15 marks after recovering from a hamstring strain suffered in the Club’s first NAB Challenge match.
Midfielder Jack Sinclair will also line-up for his first senior game of 2016 after gathering 27 touches and booting four goals against Box Hill, while Blake Acres and Eli Templeton have been omitted.
The Saints will play their first match of the season at Etihad Stadium on Saturday after going down to Port Adelaide last Sunday by 33-points at Adelaide Oval.
Don’t be misled by the final scoreline, as the Saints pushed the Power to the limit at home in a combative encounter, leading at every change except the final siren.
Talking Heads
"They were impressive, yeah, they certainly continued on their form from last year and their method of play, they certainly support each other strongly in defence. They’re not a massive defence, but they’re incredibly well structured.
"He’s done a really good job, Bevo, there’s no doubt about that, and they’re really dangerous when they’ve got the ball in their hands, but that performance was underpinned by contests.
"They won contests. They won contests by 44, they smashed Fremantle on the inside – we’ll need to be strong to be in the game."
- Saints coach Alan Richardson.
Stats Box
- Ranked 4th in disposals per game
- Ranked 1st in hitouts per game
- Ranked 2nd in least opponent marks per game
- Three losses, a win and a draw from last five matches at Etihad Stadium
Last time we met
Round 13, 27 June, 2015 Western Bulldogs defeated St.Kilda 62-56
