Since their last final 240 games ago, they have seen the tanking saga, the Mark Neeld years, the deaths of Jimmy Stynes and Robbie Flower.

Finally, the Victorian team with the longest finals drought is on the precipice.

On Sunday, Simon Goodwin’s Demons unleashed an early MCG blitzkrieg then withstood St Kilda’s fierce comeback from 39 points down.

As a result the Demons have their finals destiny in their own hands.

Those members in their crisp suits in the Long Room and chinos and blazer in the MCC members rose as one to salute them.

Demons withstand scare to all but eliminate Saints
The Age, Daniel Cherny
August 13

There was a worrying collision of heads at the MCG on Sunday afternoon, but the Demons landed the real knockout blow, their victory over St Kilda all but snuffing out the Saints' hopes of a fairytale ending for veterans Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna.

Here was Angus Brayshaw, in Melbourne's senior side for the first time since round two after another season plagued by concussion, colliding with Saint Koby Stevens as they chased a loose ball midway through the first quarter. Their heads bounced off each other like marbles. Surely not again? Well, one of them was done for the day, but it wasn't Brayshaw. Rather than seeing stars, he starred in red and blue.

Comeback kid Brayshaw was a revelation, but it was Melbourne's experienced heads who helped haul the side over the line. As was the case three weeks ago against Port Adelaide, Melbourne had this game in the bag, then nearly let it slip, and had to win it again.

Richo's Saints need to get moving
afl.com.au, Ashley Browne
August 14

Footy doesn't stand still, so even with two games of 2017 remaining, the 'where to now's' and 'what next's' start for St Kilda.        

The club's 2017 campaign came to its effective end on Sunday, the Saints beaten by 24 points by Melbourne in a performance that was largely emblematic of their season – OK in fits and spurts, but not quite good enough at the crunch.

Given how both teams finished last season the question was always going to be which of the Demons and Saints would take the bigger steps in 2017 and after two wins in the matches between them to Melbourne and with a likely finals appearance, that question has been firmly answered.

The Saints were up against it from the start. With so much to play for, they fell behind by 32 points in the first quarter and they just butchered the ball. They turned the ball over 32 times and were killed by the Demons on the rebound.

And then in the third quarter, when they played their best footy for the match, they kicked 4.7. Poor kicking has nailed the Saints all season – they were 2.12 at one stage against Port Adelaide a fortnight ago – and it hurt them when it mattered most on Sunday because there were patches of the game when they were in complete control but couldn't apply enough scoreboard pressure.