After a tight win over Essendon, St Kilda will look to keep the run going against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Tim Membrey booted five goals and Blake Acres won a Rising Star nomination as the Saints extended their winning streak over the Dees to 13 games.
Melbourne v St Kilda
Round 6 – April 30, 2016
Summary
A quick start from Melbourne caught the Saints off guard, racing out to an early 27-point lead. Jesse Hogan got hold of St Kilda’s defence, booting two first quarter majors. Late quarter goals undid Melbourne’s good work, going into the first term only 11 points up.
St Kilda started the second quarter how it finished the first. Three quick goals erased Melbourne’s lead, as the Saints worked their way on top. Nick Riewoldt was unstoppable, collecting 16 touches and 10 marks as the Saints took a 12-point lead into half time.
The contest broke right open after half-time, St Kilda booting eight goals to three – all but ending Melbourne’s hopes of ending the streak. Melbourne won the last quarter, but it was all academic as the Saints ran out 39-point victors.
Player Performances
Tim Membrey starred with five goals, while Nick Riewoldt was up to his old tricks with 24 disposals and 14 marks. Blake Acre led the way with 28 disposals and two goals, winning the Round 6 NAB Rising Star nomination.
Jesse Hogan booted career-best seven goals, while Jack Viney (30 disposals, seven tackles) and Nathan Jones (31 touches, eight clearances) were dominant in the midfield.
Stats that mattered
St Kilda won the tackles 74-59 and disposals 397-353 – highlighting how ferocious the Saints were around the contest.
Who was missing?
18 players who featured for St Kilda in the round six win suited up last week against Essendon. Luke Delaney was not one who featured, but will be number one contender to get first crack at Jesse Hogan.
Jack Billings put his name up for selection with 45 disposals for Sandringham on the weekend, but may find it hard to break back into a winning side.
For Melbourne, 15 of the 22 that played in Round 6 featured last week against Fremantle. Hard nut Aaron Vandenberg will be back, while Oscar McDonald has formulated a FB/CHB combination with his brother Tom.
What the coaches said?
"We got beaten around [the contested] ball and that opens up a lot of your other flaws in your game."– Melbourne coach Paul Roos (April 30, 2016)
“It was good to see the guys back to really hunting the opposition and getting in their face and being bold to leave their man and support in contest. It was something we had focused on all week," – St Kilda coach Alan Richardson (April 30, 2016)
MELBOURNE 5.3 8.3 11.5 15.6 (96)
ST KILDA 3.4 9.9 17.11 20.15 (135)
GOALS
Melbourne: Hogan 7, Watts 2, Frost 2, Bugg, Tyson, Jones, Kent
St Kilda: Membrey 5, Riewoldt 3, Bruce 3, Acres 2, Sinclair 2, Dunstan, Newnes, Gresham, Weller, Armitage
BEST
Melbourne: Hogan, Viney, Jones, Vince
St Kilda: Riewoldt, Acres, Steven, Membrey, Sinclair, Armitage
INJURIES
Melbourne: Harmes (corked thigh), Salem (concussion)
St Kilda: Ross (shoulder), Webster (thumb)
