A VIRTUOSO Nick Riewoldt performance and career-best game from forward partner Tim Membrey has powered St Kilda to an impressive 39-point win over Melbourne, who continued its up-and-down start to 2016.
In a battle of opposing spearheads, Riewoldt's Saints were far too strong for Jesse Hogan's Demons, winning 20.15 (135) to 15.6 (96) at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Playing his 304th AFL game, Riewoldt's 24-disposal, 14-mark and three-goal effort was instrumental for the Saints, who notched their second win of the season and stretched their winning streak over Melbourne to 13 games.
As the 33-year-old St Kilda captain continued his excellent start to the season despite his seniority, at the other end of the ground Melbourne had its own key forward who singlehandedly kept his team in the contest.
Hogan kicked a career-best seven goals for the clash, gave a presence all day and enjoyed his best outing of the season after claiming the NAB AFL Rising Star award last year.
The forward brilliance at both ends of the ground was a throwback to years gone by, but it was St Kilda who enjoyed the high-scoring afternoon the most as Melbourne capitulated in the second half under a weight of strong contributors for Alan Richardson's side.
Membrey came into the team and added something different to St Kilda's forward line with five goals, Blake Acres kicked two from 28 disposals and should have an extended run in the senior team now and Jack Billings' class (23 disposals) was again on show.
"It was good to see the guys back to really hunting the opposition and getting in their face and being bold to leave their man and support in contest. It was something we had focused on all week," he said.
"I thought (Tom) Hickey was really strong for us, but we got beaten at clearance by 15, but won the contest overall. Our ability to be able to spread and get to the next contest was probably as good as we've been for a while."
The Demons were chasing three consecutive wins for the first time since late 2010 but failed to follow their victory over Richmond last week. Hogan was clearly its best player, with Jack Viney (30 disposals, eight tackles), Nathan Jones (30) and Dom Tyson (21 disposals, one goal) all solid.
First-gamer Christian Petracca worked his way into the game and finished with 16 disposals and five tackles, and showed flashes of his talent with his strength and marking ability.
Melbourne coach Paul Roos said it was disappointing his team couldn't continue its winning ways after after consecutive victories.
"We just couldn't get out game going today. I felt even when we were in front in the first quarter we weren't playing the way we wanted to play. It was a pretty open game," he said.
"We got beaten around [the contested] ball and that opens up a lot of your other flaws in your game."
Hogan had the perfect start, kicking the opening two goals of the game inside the first three minutes. Melbourne's quick beginning caught the Saints off-guard, but they steadied to match the Demons' early intensity, with Membrey proving his inclusion to be a valuable one with two early majors.
Jesse Hogan delivered a career-best seven goals in a stunning performance. Picture: AFL Media
The Demons' 11-point advantage at quarter-time reflected the gap between the sides, particularly given Melbourne's dominance at the stoppages, where they won clearances (12-5) in the first term to set up their forward forays.
But within four minutes of the second term that lead had evaporated, with St Kilda booting three quick goals to take the momentum.
It started in the middle where ruckman Tom Hickey lifted his output against Melbourne's Max Gawn, while classy small forward Jack Sinclair was in everything: setting up goals with neat passes and cleverly booting a snap himself.
St Kilda's energy – missing all of last week in their dismal loss to Greater Western Sydney but present for most of the season – returned, as did Melbourne's woes matched against a dominant key forward. The Dees were beaten by Essendon in round two when Joe Daniher took control of the game, and Riewoldt was equally as commanding on Saturday.
The champion Saint had his biggest say on the contest in the first half, when he found 16 disposals, 10 marks and kicked three goals to help his side to a 12-point lead at half-time.
Seemingly the only thing in St Kilda's way to a second win for 2016 was Hogan, who had equaled his career-best goal tally to half-time with five majors.
Hogan added two more after the main break in a lone hand, but St Kilda did far more damage than that.
They booted eight goals to three for the third term to break clear to a 42-point lead at the final change, with their woes summed up by a smothered Jack Viney handball deep in defence that Jack Newnes duly kicked out of mid air for a goal.
The loss continued Melbourne's woes at Etihad Stadium, where it has lost 23 of its past 24 games, and was a fillip for the Saints, whose improvement so far this year had gone largely unrewarded.
MEDICAL ROOMS
St Kilda midfielder Seb Ross hurt his left shoulder during the third quarter but returned to the ground without any limitations. Melbourne's main concern was Christian Salem, who left the field in third term after a head clash and required a concussion test. He didn't return to the game.
NEXT UP
Melbourne travels to Metricon Stadium next week to take on Gold Coast, while St Kilda faces the challenge of North Melbourne. The Saints will take some confidence out of this win when they face the unbeaten Roos at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
MELBOURNE 5.3 8.3 11.5 15.6 (96)
ST KILDA 3.4 9.9 17.11 20.15 (135)
GOALS
Melbourne: Hogan 7, Watts 2, Frost 2, Bugg, Tyson, Jones, Kent
St Kilda: Membrey 5, Riewoldt 3, Bruce 3, Acres 2, Sinclair 2, Dunstan, Newnes, Gresham, Weller, Armitage
BEST
Melbourne: Hogan, Viney, Jones, Vince
St Kilda: Riewoldt, Acres, Steven, Membrey, Sinclair, Armitage
INJURIES
Melbourne: Harmes (corked thigh), Salem (concussion)
St Kilda: Ross (shoulder), Webster (thumb)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Brown, Meredith, Findlay
Official crowd: 27,260 at Etihad Stadium
