ST KILDA has continued Brett Ratten's dream start as caretaker coach with a 19-point win over Melbourne on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium.
Ratten, who started his time in charge of the Saints with victory over the Western Bulldogs, again saw the side hit triple figures, not having accomplished that feat in the previous 12 months, as they came through with the 15.14 (104) to 13.7 (85) victory.
While there might not have been a lot on the line between two sides that won't feature in September, Ratten is seeking to be appointed the job on a full-time basis and strengthened his case against the Demons in what was a tight affair, before St Kilda broke away late.
Ben Long, who has had an indifferent season, showed his appetite for the big stage when he coolly converted a snap to edge the Saints ahead midway through the last quarter.
Then with about five minutes left, Nick Hind bravely went back with the flight, and although he didn't hold on to the mark, made amends by collecting the footy and booting the goal.
The pulsating nature of the game was in stark contrast to the first half, which was uninspiring to say the least. That was especially evident at the start of the second term, when it took 15 minutes before a goal was converted as skill errors and fumbles marred the clash.
It looked as if the Dees might put the game to bed early after a swift start, bagging three goals in the opening minutes of the contest.
Saints stand-in skipper Seb Ross replied though with an excellent curler from a pocket.
He again showed class, in the third term, nailing a long-range attempt on the run.
Spot fires were everywhere in this clash, and Jake Carlisle cost St Kilda with an undisciplined, if perhaps soft, free kick conceded to Harrison Petty, immediately after Christian Petracca had soccered one through.
That gave the Demons two quick goals, and it looked like they would have all the momentum heading into the final term.
However, Josh Bruce did his best to ensure that wouldn't be the case, roosting one through in the dying seconds of the third quarter to give the Saints a narrow advantage.
He wasn't the only Saints tall firing, with Tim Membrey bagging his three goals during the third term.
The lead Bruce provided wouldn't last long. A successful Clayton Oliver snap was quickly followed up by James Harmes kicking his second.
Again though, Bruce came up big, striking the footy sweetly to see his fourth sail through.
Oliver performed well despite being tailed by Jack Steele and being put under immense pressure every time he touched the footy.
In attack, Christian Petracca looked dangerous, ending the night with three goals.
Max Gawn was excellent in the ruck but ultimately, the Saints held sway with their field position for much of the game, as evidenced by having the advantage in inside 50s, 60-39.
MEDICAL ROOM
St Kilda: Blake Acres went down to the rooms early in the match but returned to the field. He was again hurt in the final term, seemingly with a right shoulder issue, but came back on to play out the clash.
Melbourne: Christian Petracca looked to have a sore lower back early in the final term but battled on.
NEXT UP
St Kilda will fancy its chances against an Adelaide side that is down on form, despite having to fly over to South Australia for the Saturday night clash. Melbourne will be less optimistic when it comes up against a rampant Richmond at the MCG in the same timeslot.
ST KILDA 3.2 5.7 10.10 15.14 (104)
MELBOURNE 5.3 6.4 10.6 13.7 (85)
GOALS
St Kilda: Bruce 4, Membrey 3, Ross 2, Long 2, Langlands, Lonie, Hind, Billings
Melbourne: Petracca 3, Fritsch 2, Harmes 2, Lewis, Smith, C Wagner, Petty, Oliver, Neal-Bullen
BEST
St Kilda: Ross, Bruce, Gresham, Sinclair, Membrey, Wilkie
Melbourne: Gawn, Oliver, Harmes, Petracca, Lever, Frost
INJURIES
St Kilda: Acres (shoulder)
Melbourne: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Hay, Howorth
Official crowd: 22,854 at Marvel Stadium
