First quarter: St Kilda 6.2 (38) to Melbourne 2.3 (15)
The match started at a frenetic pace. It took just 21 seconds before the first score was registered: a behind to Demon Alex Neal-Bullen.
The lead changed several times early on, as both sides went hard at it and zinged the ball back and forth at top speed.
Melbourne got the early slip, when it kicked two in a row, courtesy of livewire Jeff Garlett and youngster Billy Stretch, to open its 2017 account. It gave the red and blue an eight-point advantage at the 12-minute mark.
But when St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt kicked the first of his two goals for the term, it was also the start of five in succession from the Saints and a 23-point lead at the first break.
Adding to Melbourne’s frustrations in the latter part of the term was the loss of Joel Smith, who hurt his shoulder and was taken from the field.
Second quarter: Melbourne 7.8 (50) to St Kilda 9.4 (58)
After the pendulum swung the Saints’ way in the latter part of the first term, it quickly went back in favour of the Demons in the second quarter, after they fought back brilliantly with seven goals to one.
Jack Watts got the ball rolling in the opening minute, and although Riewoldt followed up with his third to put the home side up by 24 points – St Kilda’s biggest lead of the match – Melbourne landed the next six consecutive goals to lead by eight points at half-time.
Garlett and Hogan landed their second each, Mitch Hannan kicked his first AFL goal on debut, Sam Weideman kicked truly and Nev Jetta kicked his first goal since round 15, 2015 to put the red and blue in front.
Unfortunately for the Dees, Joel Smith was ruled out for the rest of the match with a shoulder injury.
Jordan Lewis, in his first game for Melbourne, had 20 disposals by the long break – the best of any player on the ground. Nathan Jones was next best with 17 touches.
Third quarter: Melbourne 15.7 (97) to St Kilda 9.9 (63)
Melbourne continued its outstanding second term form with a stunning start in the second half.
The Demons added four in a row to jump out to a 34-point lead, before Riewoldt’s fourth ended Melbourne’s 10-goal streak.
Garlett booted his third, Hannan added his second, and Bernie Vince and Angus Brayshaw got on the board, as Melbourne took control.
Although it was goal for goal during the latter part of the term, which included majors from Christian Petracca and Nathan Jones – the red and blue managed to hold on by 34-points at three quarter-time.
Clayton Oliver had 29 disposals by the final change.
Final quarter: Melbourne 18.11 (119) d St Kilda 13.12 (90)
Melbourne extended its lead to 42 points early in the last term, when Hogan landed his third.
Although the Saints answered with back-to-back goals for the first time since the opening term, it still trailed by 29 points.
But when Neal-Bullen landed a beauty and Petracca nailed his second, Melbourne was well and truly home, winning by 30 points.
It was a fantastic win by the Demons – their first win over the Saints since the second elimination final in 2006.
Capping off a disappointing day for the Saints was what looked like a serious knee injury to Riewoldt, who was taken from the field via a motorised stretcher in the final stages.
