Greater Western Sydney Giants vs St Kilda Saints preview, teams and tips – 2014 AFL NAB Challenge

The only game on Saturday for AFL NAB Challenge is between Greater Western Sydney Giants and St Kilda Saints. The opening bounce is set to commence at 4.40pm AEDT with the game to be played at Wagga Wagga. The favourite for the match is away team St Kilda Saints. View our preview and teams for the game between Greater Western Sydney Gaints and St Kilda Saints.

When: Saturday March 1, 4.40pm AEDT
Stadium: Wagga Wagga
Weather: 24° A few showers

Featured Bookmakers:

Greater Western Sydney Giants $2.50 vs St Kilda Saints $1.53 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match

Greater Western Sydney Giants $2.30 vs St Kilda Saints $1.60 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison:

Greater Western Sydney Giants 2.50 2.45 2.30 2.45 2.50 2.35
St Kilda Saints 1.53 1.55 1.60 1.55 1.53 1.55

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

Preview:

The Giants will unveil their running machine number two draft pick Josh Kelly against St Kilda in the final NAB Challenge game on Saturday afternoon in Wagga Wagga.

The Giants are fielding their strongest possible side for this clash with only Tom Boyd, Tim Mohr and Stephen Gilham not playing – Boyd will play for the Giants reserve side on Sunday.

Leon Cameron’s side was competitive against the Swans in their opening NAB Challenge game and will look to build on that effort here.

The Saints will be without first choice players Jack Steven, Dylan Roberton and Sam Gilbert whilst other depth players Trent Dennis-Lane, Josh Bruce, Rhys Stanley, Terry Milera and Sam Dunnell will also miss.

The Giants midfield should be able get the better of the Saints and if they give their forward enough opportunity the game should end up in their favour.

Teams:

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Giants

1. Phil Davis, 2. Curtly Hampton, 3. Stephen Coniglio, 4. Toby Greene, 5. Dylan Shiel, 6. Lachie Whitfield, 7. Rhys Palmer, 8. Callan Ward, 9. Tom Scully, 10. Devon Smith, 11. Jed Lamb, 12. Jon Patton, 14. Tom Bugg, 17. Adam Treloar, 18. Jeremy Cameron, 19. Nick Haynes, 20. Adam Tomlinson, 22. Joshua Kelly, 23. Heath Shaw, 26. Jon Giles, 29. Zac Williams, 30. Lachie Plowman, 31. Jacob Townsend, 32. Josh Hunt, 33. Will Hoskin-Elliott, 40. Adam Kennedy, 41. Shane Mumford, 46. Dylan Addison, 48. Sam Frost

 

ST KILDA SAINTSst-kilda

1.Tom Hickey, 4. Clint Jones, 5. Shane Savage, 6. Sebastian Ross, 7. Lenny Hayes, 9. Tom Lee, 11. Leigh Montagna, 12. Nick Riewoldt, 13. Adam Schneider, 14. Jarryn Geary, 15. Jack Billings, 16. Jack Newnes, 18. Billy Longer, 20. David Armitage, 21. Luke Delaney, 22. Farren Ray, 24. Sean Dempster, 26. Tom Curren, 29. Jimmy Webster, 31. Tom Simpkin, 33. James Gwilt, 34. Nathan Wright, 35. Josh Saunders, 36. Luke Dunstan 37. Beau Maister, 39. Cameron Shenton, 41. Darren Michinton, 43. Eli Templeton, 44. Maverick Weller.

News:

Greater Western Sydney will unveil one of their prize youngsters against St Kilda on Saturday, but have opted against playing established midfielder Tom Scully.

AFL No.2 draft pick Josh Kelly will have his first run in the seniors, having already earned the respect of his coach Leon Cameron and new teammates for his professionalism and work ethic.

Cameron said 19-year-old Kelly was a creative midfielder who could win ball inside and outside and had enormous running ability, though at around 75 kilos he is slightly framed.

“We understand as the years go on he’s going to build up his frame and put on some more weight to absorb the hustle and bustle of playing in the midfield,” Cameron said of Kelly.

“But we’re rapt to have him at our footy club. He’s fitted in really well.

“All of his teammates love having him around.”

Last year’s No.1 draft pick Tom Boyd, whose pre-season has been interrupted by a minor quadriceps injury, will have his first Giants start in their reserves on Saturday, against an ACT under-23 representative team in Canberra.

Scully has pulled up with a sore ankle after playing in the Giants’ first NAB Challenge fixture against Sydney and has only been listed as an emergency for the game in Wagga Wagga.

Defender Matt Buntine was also left out after suffering concussion against the Swans.

The Saints’ two most experienced players, Nick Riewoldt and Lenny Hayes, are each listed to have their first pre-season hit-out on Saturday.

Cameron is looking for his side to build on the promise they displayed in their 40-point loss to Sydney.

“We were rapt with some of the things in terms of maintaining the ball a little bit longer than probably what we did last year, a lot more inside 50s,” Cameron said.

“We thought we matched it in terms of contested ball for periods of the game against the Swans.

“We do know that from centre forward our ball movement needs to probably be a little bit better in terms of whether we’re kicking it long or hitting it up short.

“But I think that will come with games played with our young forward group and our young midfield group.”

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