St Kilda’s poor start to the season has continued after a disappointing 39-point loss to Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
In-form ruckman Max Gawn was again at his brutal best with 20 disposals and 34 hit-outs, along with young star Clayton Oliver who picked up 36 disposals through the midfield.
With their season well and truly on the line, St Kilda were in desperate need of a fast start in front of their home crowd, and it came in the form of Jade Gresham, who gave Saints the perfect start with an excellent dribble finish from the boundary.
Melbourne were quick to respond however, with exciting youngster Charlie Spargo continuing the bright start to his career with the Demon’s first goal.
It was a tight start under the roof, as the Saints' desperation saw them win their fair share of the ball and get the footy forward.
But in what seems to be a constant in 2018, St Kilda weren’t able to convert their efforts into scores, with wayward kicking saving Melbourne on a number of occasions.
Three straight goals to the Demons soon after would frustrate the home crowd to no end, as Gawn, Jesse Hogan and Christian Petracca extended their margin out to a healthy 19 points towards the end of the first quarter.
David Armitage would finally break the goal-kicking curse for the Saints, before Hogan’s second goal immediately after would again extend the margin out to 18 points at the first change.
It was a sloppy start to the second term for both sides, with the first five scores being behinds as St Kilda again began to press.
But the Demons were able to absorb the pressure and catch the Saints on the counterattack as Tom McDonald registered his first goal of the day to extend the lead to four goals.
Inspirational captain Nathan Jones continued the Demons' dominance through the middle stages of the quarter as the Saints again found themselves in danger of being blown away.
Spearhead Tim Membrey would halt the Dees' momentum with a solid mark and goal to inject some life back into St Kilda.
But once again their hopes of staging a comeback were foiled, as a classy Dom Tyson finish late in the quarter would restore Melbourne’s margin to 28 points at the main break.
St Kilda would again come out with promise as exciting young forward Ben Long got the home crowd buzzing early in the third quarter, before Membrey’s second sent panic into the Melbourne camp.
As the Saints edged closer and closer, it would take a third goal to Hogan to halt their momentum and kick the Demons into gear in the second half.
A crucial goal to James Harmes would see the margin again reach five goals, as the gallant Saints slowly began to lose faith.
Melbourne would open the game up going into three-quarter time, with another two unanswered goals giving the Demons their biggest margin of the day.
A goal to ruckman Tom Hickey on the three-quarter time siren would give the Saints a glimmer of hope, as they went into the last change 36 points behind.
The Demons would press their claims as a potential finalist in the last quarter, as they crushed any chance of an incredible St Kilda comeback with a three-goal final term.
Young forward Sam Weideman kicked off proceedings for the Demons with his second goal as Melbourne’s youth began to shine through, before Oliver would cap off his dominant afternoon with a classy stoppage goal.
It would be a bleak last quarter for both teams, as a coasting Melbourne side and struggling St Kilda were unable to trouble the scorers for 18 minutes.
Alex Neal-Bullen would eventually break the drought to extend the margin out beyond 50 points with 10 minutes to play.
The Saints would muster two late consolation goals to save themselves from complete embarrassment, with the margin sitting at 39 points at the final siren.
Melbourne will hope to extend their winning streak to three as they travel to the 'Gabba to face the struggling Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon, while St Kilda will look to get back on the winners list as they travel to Perth to face Fremantle.
ST KILDA 2.5 3.8 7.10 9.13 (67)
MELBOURNE 5.1 8.6 13.10 16.10 (106)
GOALS
St Kilda: Armitage 2, Long 2, Membrey 2, Gresham, Dunstan, Hickey
Melbourne: Hogan 3, McDonald 2, Weideman 2, Neal-Bullen, Petracca, Jones, Brayshaw, Gawn, Harmes, Olivers, Spargo, Tyson
BEST
St Kilda: Ross, Steven, Webster, Dunstan, Steele, Gresham
Melbourne: Oliver, Brayshaw, Gawn, Hogan, Jones, Hibberd
INJURIES
St Kilda: McCartin (head), Gilbert (leg), Savage (ribs)
Melbourne: Jetta (head)
TALKING POINTS
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