1. Melbourne fails to rise to the challenge
It was a chance for the Demons to break a couple of hoodoos, but the Saints were able to notch up their 13th consecutive victory against the Demons. A Melbourne win would have seen it win three in a row for the first time since rounds 17-19 in 2010 but alas it was not to be. The Demons lost the game in the third quarter, conceding eight goals to three. A faltering of their defensive press saw the Saints get behind Melbourne's forward press too often. Nick Riewoldt took full advantage, often finding himself against mismatched smaller opponents such as Neville Jetta and Christian Salem, who never had a chance in marking contests.
2. The old and the new in an old-fashioned shootout – for the first half, at least
It's unlikely two key forwards will dominate like Gary Ablett and Paul Salmon did in 1993 when they combined for 24 goals, but Nick Riewoldt v Jesse Hogan was the modern-day version for two terms. Skipper Riewoldt played as a permanent forward with Paddy McCartin out of the side and relished the opportunity, kicking three goals to the main break. Hogan kept his side in it in the opening half with five straight, before finishing with seven. McCartin will find it tough to crack a spot in the side after Tim Membrey bobbed up for five goals.
The Saints claim their second win of the season. Picture: AFL Media
3. Blake Acres played the best game of his young career
He has certainly been made to earn his spot by Saints coach Alan Richardson but the hard road back into the senior team seems to have helped Acres. He collected 28 disposals in what was arguably the most complete performance of his 13 games. His previous best was 22 against Port Adelaide in round one, after which Acres was somewhat surprisingly dropped, but the first round draft selection in 2013 can rest assured he will play next week's game against North Melbourne. Spending most of his time in the midfield and on a forward flank, he did it all for the Saints, helping out as a link man from defence to attack, as well as setting up goals. That's not to mention the couple of goals he kicked himself.
4. The signs say Christian Petracca will be a gun
Playing against the team that overlooked him in 2014 with the first pick, Petracca made his well-earned debut and showed enough to assure Demons fans that the 20-year-old will be a star. He notched up 16 disposals, starting in the forward line before venturing into the midfield. His ability to find space at stoppages was impressive. A strong contested mark in the middle early in the third term showed Petracca is no one-trick pony, with an ability to get it done in the midfield and forward line.
5. Getting into the ground an issue
With only 27,260 attending the match, the fans who had come to support their team shouldn't have been made to wait for as long as they did to get into the arena. However, spectators were still waiting in line well into the first quarter. The specific issue, which is unknown at this stage, will only further infuriate the Melbourne faithful who have a well-known dislike of playing home games at Docklands. The Etihad Stadium Twitter account said patrons should pre-book to avoid queues but not having sufficient resources to get everyone into the ground before the first bounce is unacceptable.
