Final quarter fadeout, again

JUST four behinds separated the two sides at three quarter-time on Saturday night, but it was one-way traffic in the final term as St Kilda took home the four points.

For the fifth week in a row, Melbourne lost the last quarter, as the Saints had too much run in their legs.

The Demons were smashed in all facets of the game after three quarter-time, falling to a 19-point loss.

The numbers

DISPOSALS: Oliver 26, Salem 24, Harmes 21, Petracca 20, Lever 19, Gawn, Viney 18

GOALS: Petracca 3, Fritsch, Harmes 2, Lewis, Neal-Bullen, Oliver, Petty, Smith, C.Wagner

Hunty’s $10 gesture

Two hours prior to the first bounce, with fans slowly trickling into Marvel Stadium, Jayden Hunt was launching shots on goal, and sprayed one wide.

As his high-ball came thundering down, it knocked a supporter’s burger cleanly out of her hand, leaving her dinnerless and Hunt feeling guilty.

In an incredible act of kindness, the 24-year-old ran into the rooms, grabbed a $10 note and gifted it to the fan to replace the meal.

Fast start

Although the result didn’t go to script, the Dees got off to a flying start with three goals in as many minutes to kick off the game.

Bayley Fritsch showed he’s a natural forward booting the first of the night, before Jordan Lewis and Christian Petracca kept the momentum going.

St Kilda wrestled back some ascendancy, but the Demons held a 13-point lead at the first change.

Costly turnovers

Melbourne was responsible for its own demise in Round 19, with the Saints scoring 13.7 (85) from turnovers – equal to the Dees’ entire score.

The Demons’ poor ball use saw them miss opportunities on attack, but also left them out of position in defence as a direct result.

Territory battle

St Kilda completely dominated the second and fourth quarters, as reflected by the inside 50 numbers.

The Saints had 13 more forward entries in both terms, controlling the game at their end of the ground.

Key match-ups

After successfully utilising Angus Brayshaw and Jordan Lewis in negating roles last week, the Demons sent the duo to two of St Kilda’s most damaging players – Luke Dunstan and Jake Carlisle.

Lewis played deep inside 50 on the much bigger Carlisle and stopped him from intercepting the ball, forcing Saints’ interim coach Brett Ratten to push him up the ground.

In other key midfield match-ups, Jack Steele spent his evening following Clayton Oliver around, while Max Gawn was prominent in the air against youngster Rowan Marshall.

A word from Goody

“There’s no question our ability to use the ball, our inefficiencies, and our turnovers, are killing our game,” Simon Goodwin told Melbourne Media post-game.

“We’ve been in positions in the last two weeks with 30 minutes to go to win, and we haven’t been able to get across the line. It’s as frustrating as it can get for us.”

Looking ahead

Round 20 v Richmond @ MCG – Saturday, 3 August, 7:25pm AEST

Melbourne will have the chance to take a big scalp in the backend of the season as it hosts Richmond next Saturday night.

This will be the Demons’ first game at the MCG since Round 16 as they look to get a much-needed victory.