The first game on Friday for AFL Round 7 is between Hawthorn Hawks and St Kilda Saints. The opening bounce is set to commence at 1.45pm (AEST) with the game to be played at MCG. The favourite for the match is home team Hawthorn Hawks. View our preview and teams for the game between Hawthorn Hawks and St Kilda Saints.

Round: Round 7, Saturday May 3, 1.45pm (AEST)
Stadium: MCG
Weather: 14° A few showers.

Featured Bookmakers:

Odds Comparison:

Hawthorn Hawks	1.04	1.05	1.03	1.05	1.04	1.04
St Kilda Saints	13.00	10.00	13.00	10.00	13.00	12.00

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Tips: Hawthorn Hawks to win and cover the line.

Preview:

NORMAL transmission was resumed for Hawthorn on Sunday, with an 11-goal thumping of Richmond at the MCG, highlighted by four third-quarter goals by Cyril Rioli and 11 goalkickers all up. Also noticeable was that the Hawk veteran midfielders – Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis and Shaun Burgoyne – were all in great touch and a feature of this clash will be to see them, along with Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna and Nick Riewoldt on the same ground. The Saints will show their trademark pluck and a great learning experience looms large for their band of youngsters, but the Hawks have too many match winners.

LAST FIVE TIMES
R20, 2013, Hawthorn 14.18 (102) d St Kilda 7.14 (56) at Etihad Stadium
R6, 2012, Hawthorn 18.15 (123) d St Kilda 13.10 (88) at the MCG
R8, 2011, Hawthorn 14.15 (99) d St Kilda 10.9 (69) at the MCG
R17, 2010, Hawthorn 13.9 (87) drew St Kilda 14.3 (87) at Etihad Stadium
R19, 2009, St Kilda 10.14 (74) d Hawthorn 7.7 (49) at Aurora Stadium

THE SIX POINTS
1. Hawthorn holds a 77-71 edge over St Kilda in head-to-head battles, including two draws. At the MCG, the Hawks hold an 8-3 edge.

2. Hawthorn is ranked second in 2014 for uncontested possessions averaging 260.5 per game while St Kilda is sixth at 228.8 per game.

3. No team has laid fewer tackles in 2014 than Hawthorn, averaging 52.5 per game while St Kilda is equal 12th at 64.3 per game.

4. No team has been more accurate in front of goals in 2014 than Hawthorn, at 60.3 per cent, the next best is the Western Bulldogs at 53 per cent.

5. The Hawks biggest win over the Saints is a 129-point thrashing in round three, 1983 at Moorabbin, while the St Kilda’s greatest win over Hawthorn is 109 points in round 2, 1950 at the Junction Oval.

6. Cyril Rioli’s brilliant performance last Sunday vaulted him into the top 10 of the Official AFL Player Ratings. He is now in ninth place with 556 points.

Teams:

Hawthorn Hawks:
B: Brian Lake, Josh Gibson, Taylor Duryea
HB: Luke Hodge, Ben Stratton, Grant Birchall
C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Bradley Hill
HF: Luke Breust, Ryan Schoenmakers, Jack Gunston
F: David Hale, Jarryd Roughead, Shaun Burgoyne
Fol: Ben McEvoy, Jordan Lewis, Cyril Rioli
I/C: Mitch Hallahan, Paul Puopolo, Matthew Suckling, Billy Hartung
Emg: Alex Woodward, Jonathon Ceglar, Angus Litherland
In: Ryan Schoenmakers, Billy Hartung
Out: Will Langford (back), Jonathan Simpkin (omitted)

St Kilda Saints:
B: Tom Simpkin, James Gwilt, Jarryn Geary
HB: Sean Dempster, Luke Delaney, Jimmy Webster
C: Blake Acres, Jack Steven, Farren Ray
HF: Leigh Montagna, Nick Riewoldt, Maverick Weller
F: Jack Billings, Rhys Stanley, Clinton Jones
Fol: Billy Longer, Jack Newnes, Tom Curren
I/C: Josh Saunders, Lenny Hayes, Adam Schneider, Shane Savage
Emg: Trent Dennis-Lane, Josh Bruce, Sebastian Ross,
In: Tom Simpkin, Maverick Weller, Billy Longer, Adam Schneider, Blake Acres,
Out: Josh Bruce (omitted), Eli Templeton (broken arm), Tom Hickey (foot), Sebastian Ross (omitted), Luke Dunstan (concussion)