Billings with poise and class on the run

After a couple of articles regarding his goal kicking this week, Jack Billings responds to his critics early on Sunday. The polished half-forward gathers the ball just beyond the arc, composes himself, before taking the responsibility to slot a stunning goal on the run halfway through the opening quarter. Only days after inking a two-year contract extension, the 22-year-old gets off to a bright start at Etihad Stadium.

Play stops for five minutes after collision

The game is brought to a standstill when North Melbourne defender Daniel Neilson is concussed in a marking contest involving St Kilda spearhead Josh Bruce. After a five-minute interval, Jack Steele finds Bruce inside 50 seconds after the restart. Bruce goes back and puts the Saints in front deep in time-on in the first quarter.

Stevens brings his own ball

Three-time Trevor Barker Award winner Jack Steven bursts out of the blocks in the opening half, amassing 21 first half touches and eight clearances to torch the Roos early. After being clamped by North Melbourne tagger Declan Mountford when the two sides met earlier in the year, Steven laid the foundations for a massive afternoon.

Sneaky Gresham poaches a goal under Ziebell’s nose

Jade Gresham, the opportunist goal sneak, poaches an errant North Melbourne kick to put the Saints 40 points up midway through the second quarter. In a scramble in the goal square, Gresham squeezes a boot in front of Jack Ziebell’s outstretched fingers, and after a long goal review, the emerging star adds another goal to his impressive second season.

Membrey helps fatten St Kilda’s percentage late in the piece

Sharp shooter Tim Membrey kicks two goals in as many minutes to help boost St Kilda’s percentage halfway through the last quarter. The mobile key forward finishes with three goals, along with Josh Bruce, with Membrey one goal ahead of Bruce with one game remaining in the home and away season.

For the final time at Etihad Stadium

At a ground where he has played more games at and kicked more goals at than any other player, Nick Riewoldt walked off Etihad Stadium for the final time victorious. He hauled eight marks and booted two goals to make another contribution on a special day for the football club.