First quarter onslaught seals St Kilda’s fate

In a game that was as close to a final as both sides have played in a long time – St Kilda 2011, Melbourne 2006 – one team burst from the gate far hungrier to return to September. The other, St Kilda, appeared caught in the headlights. In a stunning eight-minute burst early in the first quarter, Simon Goodwin’s team picked the Saints apart, kicking four goals – the same margin at the final siren – to open up a five-goal lead at the first change of ends. In a quarter Alan Richardson described in his post mortem as “as poorly as we’ve used the ball going forward”, St Kilda conceded 32 turnovers – more than any other team in Round 21 – resulting in four of the Demons’ six goals to help Melbourne register 22 inside 50s – two off the record. On the back of the season shaping win, Melbourne leap to 7th and have one foot inside the eight, while the Saints will spend a sixth September on the sidelines.

Third quarter wastefulness indicative of 2017

St Kilda’s third quarter was brilliant and devastating all rolled into one. After being 32-points behind at the main break, the Saints were dominant in the third term, but just couldn’t capitalise on their momentum. Despite generating eight more inside 50s and plenty more scoring opportunities, St Kilda’s inaccuracy reared its ugly head again. Alan Richardson’s men kicked 4.7 to 1.3 to waste their opportunity to atone for a very slow start. “When you’re playing catch up footy you need to be able to make the most of your opportunities,” a disappointed coach told reporters less than an hour after the final siren. It’s been a theme of 2017. It stung most recently at Adelaide Oval when the Saints started the game kicking 2.13, before Robbie Gray led the Power to victory. On Sunday, Jack Billings kicked 1.3 and Jade Gresham 0.2, but they weren’t alone. It was a difficult day to watch for a St Kilda supporter.

Only takes one eye for rising star

While he might have been one of the culprits in front of goal, Jack Billings’ star continued to rise on Sunday. The man who the Saints paid such a high price for in 2013 has emerged as a genuine star of the future this winter. At the MCG on Sunday, with one eye fully closed over like a prized fighter, Billings made a significant contribution, collecting 30 disposals – his fourth haul of 30 or more this year – 13 score involvements (equal 5th most of any player in Round 21), nine marks and six tackles. In the three months since he booted five goals in match winning display against Carlton in Round 8, Billings is rated by Champion Data as the No. 3 forward in the game on 98.5 ranking points, ahead of similar types Toby Greene, Chad Wingard and Robbie Gray. After a gradual climb in his first few years, Billings has taken a leap forward this season.

Pair resurrect their seasons in the back end

It wasn’t that long ago that Shane Savage and Luke Dunstan were on the outer and staring down the barrel at a very disappointing season. Both have resurrected their stuttering seasons in the last month or so. Savage returned against Richmond in Round 16 and has looked like a different player to earlier in the year. In the six games since, the dashing defender has averaged 25.5 disposals and 559.3 metres gained. On Sunday, the former Hawk collected 26 touches and 620.4 metres of gained territory. As for Dunstan, the South Australian returned a month ago in Sydney following his third stint in the VFL this season. He has since gathered 29, 27, 25 and 24 disposals – four of his top 10 disposal counts. After a disappointing start to his fourth year, the man who inherited Lenny Hayes’ iconic No. 7, has laid the foundations to launch into the summer and into 2018.