‘Faceless’ foes to face off as Carlton and St Kilda scrap for wildcard spot

August 8, 2026 — 8:36pm

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There will be plenty of familiar faces on both sides when Carlton take on St Kilda at Marvel Stadium in what is arguably the most consequential clash between the two clubs since the 1972 preliminary final.

Liam Stocker will be donning a Saints jumper for his 100th AFL game when he lines up alongside other ex-Blues Jack Silvagni and Tom De Koning, while former Saint Blake Acres will wear the No.13 Carlton jumper Stocker wore in his 28 matches with Carlton.

Another win under interim coach Josh Fraser will kick the Blues two games clear of St Kilda in the race for a wildcard spot, while Ross Lyon’s team will leapfrog Carlton if they win – with a softer draw in their remaining two matches likely to see them home.

It’s a huge game, particularly so for the Saints, who grabbed Carlton free agents De Koning and Silvagni during last year’s trade period to set them on a course for finals.

However, the animosity that existed between the two clubs in recent years as former Carlton list manager and club great Stephen Silvagni grabbed players from........

© Brisbane Times