MELBOURNE has drawn first blood in the battle between the AFL's rising teams and ended a 14-match losing streak against St Kilda, dominating after quarter time to win by 30 points on Saturday evening.
The Demons notched their first win over the Saints since 2006 and just their second at Etihad Stadium in 26 attempts, winning 18.12 (120) to 13.12 (90) to give Simon Goodwin a dream start to his coaching career.
The match ended with injury concerns for both clubs, with St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt hyper-extending his right knee with six minutes to play and leaving the ground on a stretcher.
The Demons also lost debutant Joel Smith, who dislocated his right shoulder in the opening quarter, forcing the Demons to play out the match with three men on the interchange.
There were concerns for Melbourne early, falling 24 points behind in the second quarter as St Kilda's trademark tacking pressure undid the Demons' increasingly slick kicking game.
But Goodwin's men flicked a switch after quarter time to go on a blistering 10-goal run, turning the tables and asserting themselves over the Saints as the rising team to watch in 2017.
It was a mix of young stars and established guns who got the game on Melbourne's terms, with recruit Jordan Lewis (32 possessions and six inside 50s) magnificent on debut with his new team.
The four-time premiership Hawk added grunt to a centre-square combination that feasted on ruckman Max Gawn's 49 hit-outs, with the Demons' big man sublime with his taps to advantage.
It was young midfielder Clayton Oliver, however, who was arguably best on ground, playing the best game of his short career to finish with 35 possessions (14 contested) and a game-high nine clearances and eight tackles.
The match turned in the centre square, with St Kilda leading the centre clearances 7-2 at quarter time, but going on to lose the stat 17-7 over the next three quarters.
The dominance of Oliver and Jack Viney (22 possessions and eight clearances) in the centre square transferred into a 54-43 advantage in inside 50s, with forwards Jesse Hogan and Jeff Garlett kicking three goals each.
The Demons also unearthed an impressive youngster in debutant Mitch Hannan, while co-captain Nathan Jones was terrific with 35 possessions.
The Saints' usual stars were on top early, with Riewoldt kicking two of his four goals in the first quarter. But they fell away, with young half-forward Jade Gresham (three goals) one of the few players to win his position.
ST KILDA 6.2 7.8 9.9 13.12 (90)
MELBOURNE 2.3 9.4 15.7 18.12 (120)
BEST
St Kilda: Riewoldt, Gresham, Billings, Steven, Steele
Melbourne: Oliver, Lewis, Gawn, N Jones, Vince, Hogan, Jetta, Garlett
INJURIES
St Kilda: Paddy McCartin (hamstring tightness) replaced in selected side by Jack Lonie, Nick Riewoldt (knee)
Melbourne: Joel Smith (left shoulder), Max Gawn (back tightness)
Umpires: Chamberlain, Fleer, Ryan
Official crowd: 36,249 at Etihad Stadium
