St Kilda has notched its sixth win of the season with a 37-point victory over Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
The win extended the club’s winning streak over Melbourne to 12 – a streak that extends back to 2006.
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Intense tackling pressure, the signature of the 2015 Saints was again the order of the day with 83 tackles laid and Melbourne unable to get a chain of possession or a free run.
The game posed unusual conditions on a number of fronts for the Saints. It was the second and last time they will play at the MCG this year and one of the rare occasions the team has played in wet conditions, being used to the sheltered confines of Etihad Stadium.
Despite the unfamiliarity with the elements, the Saints seemed to play at their best when the heavens opened in the third quarter. A goalless second quarter under clear blue skies was followed by a six-goal barrage in a rain-soaked third term.
The final quarter lacked the spark of the first three, with the Saints holding a comfortable enough lead to sustain the Demons and run away to what was an easy win in the end.
The two teams have been often compared for their young emerging lists and similar ladder positions but one key difference stood out on the day – Saints captain Nick Riewoldt.
It could have been seen to be a risky move to play three tall forwards on a wet day but Riewoldt, Josh Bruce and Paddy McCartin presented match-up problems for the Melbourne backline.
Riewoldt was the standout when it mattered, taking difficult pack marks and kicking vital goals while McCartin grew in confidence as the game progressed.
Sam Gilbert played his best game since returning from a foot injury, showing a self-belief that he had built over the previous five weeks.
Jimmy Webster, Sean Dempster and Jarryn Geary were uncompromising in defence – Webster completely blanketing dangerous Melbourne forward Jeff Garlett until a courageous attempt to spoil a Chris Dawes mark saw him come from the ground in the third quarter.
Dempster was a true general of the back half and barely put a foot wrong all day, intercepting numerous Melbourne forays into attack.
Perhaps the most promising sign for the Saints was that David Armitage and Jack Steven, who have led the way in the midfield the whole year were relatively quiet but their teammates managed to step up to fill the breach.
ST KILDA 4.4 4.7 10.8 12.11 (83)
MELBOURNE 1.2 3.6 5.9 6.10 (46)
Goals: Riewoldt 3, Dunstan 2, Bruce, Savage, Weller, Newnes, Lonie, McCartin, Sinclair.
Best: Riewoldt, Dempster, Savage, Gilbert, Geary, Weller, Dunstan.
Sub: Eli Templeton replaced Hugh Goddard at three-quarter-time.
Injuries: Nil
Crowd: 22,945
