MATT Burgan looks at the talking points, facts and moments from Melbourne’s 36-point loss to St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday …

1 – The streak continues

It’s been called a hoodoo, a streak and a cycle, but regardless, Melbourne’s 14 losses in a row to St Kilda are far from flattering. The red and blue still hasn’t defeated the Saints since Neale Daniher guided Melbourne to its most recent finals win in 2006 in the second elimination final.

2 – Two quarters won, two bad quarters lost

Melbourne’s first quarter was outstanding, with six goals to three. The red and blue led by 17 points, but had a poor second term, losing by 30 points after kicking just three behinds. Melbourne bounced back to win the third quarter by two points, but another disappointing final term, when it lost by 25 points resulted in the six-goal loss.

3 – NT not a factor

Jack Viney was quick to hose down any thoughts that playing in the Top End heat of Darwin last round had any influence on the result. Given Melbourne had an eight-day break, after defeating Fremantle by 32 points at TIO Stadium, Viney said St Kilda simply wanted it more than Melbourne. “I don’t think that was any excuse for the performance we dished up,” he said. “It purely had to do with the performance of how we played our roles, which wasn’t up to scratch. Our desperation for the contest wasn’t there today.”

4 – Bernie Melbourne’s best

Bernie Vince was regarded as Melbourne’s best according to Champion Data. He notched up a game-high 34 disposals. Along with Viney (33 touches), they were the only two players to accumulate more than 30 possessions each in the match.

5 –Viney’s courageous mark

Viney’s mark in the third quarter, when he ran back with the flight of the ball and courageously crashed into the pack was one of the highlights of the day for Melbourne. His mark was akin to Nick Riewoldt and Jonathan Brown, when they took courageous grabs running back with the flight and into heavy traffic several years ago. It wasn’t surprising to see Viney achieve his mark, given his thirst for the contest. Yet it was simply a matter of fact moment for young-gun. “I just saw it go up in the air and I had a bit of a look of what was around me and it was my turn to go for it. I just went for it and tried to jump as high as I could in the air, so I didn’t end up getting hit in the head. Then I ended up marking the footy, so there wasn’t much thought – it was just see ball, get ball really,” he said. Coach Paul Roos also praised Viney’s grab. “Jack stood out when he went back and marked that ball,” he said.

6 – The first of many …

For the first time, Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw played an AFL match together. Although it wasn’t a memorable one, it offered another glimpse of Melbourne’s future. Petracca was one of Melbourne’s best with two goals and 19 touches and Brayshaw had 23 disposals in his first match since round five, having battled concussion issues in recent times. Roos praised the duo and said they will only get better and better long term. “Gus was a good effort coming back in. The pace of the venue and the pace of the game – at times, he looked really comfortable,” he said. At other times, he coughed up some handballs and got tackled three or four times. Tracc kicked two goals and looked really dangerous. What it continually reinforces to me is how the gap that still exists between [youngsters entering the system and playing in the AFL]. We’ve got two of the best [young] players from two years ago, who we’re still educating and still learning. I was really pleased with how both of them played today and they’re part of our education in the next six weeks. We’re making sure we put enough time and effort [into them].”

7 – Remember this guy?

Tim Membrey, the former Swan has been an impressive performer for the Saints this year. Against Melbourne, he has been a dangerous player. After kicking five goals in round six against the red and blue, Membrey bagged four majors on the weekend. He has now kicked 32 goals for the year, including nine goals against Melbourne.

8 – Melbourne the younger team yet again

Melbourne’s inexperience was again on show, with St Kilda’s possessing 2036 games experience to 1447. The average age of St Kilda’s side was 24 years, 328 days to Melbourne’s 23 years, 300 days.

9 – What the coach says …

“I say this with respect to our players who we are developing and who are getting better but we don't have a [Patrick] Dangerfield type who can kick four going forward when the team is not going well.” – Paul Roos

10 – The challenges keep on coming

The challenge remains for Melbourne next Saturday, when it takes on the West Coast Eagles at Domain Stadium – another team and venue the red and blue has battled against in recent years. But that doesn’t faze Viney, who has already turned his attention to the clash. “We’re really excited. It’s a six-day break and travelling interstate to Perth presents a challenge and an opportunity to go up there and play well. We always like a challenge and we’re looking forward to recovering well – that’s our priority at the moment. We’ve got to make sure we get our bodies right, pull up [well] and get the job done in Perth,” he said.