MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos says his side’s round 17 match against St Kilda shapes as an exciting clash between two young sides.

The Demons and Saints have both registered five wins this season, with just two points separating the two teams in their last encounter in round 11.

“I think both teams have progressed, they won four last year and we won four, so from a record point of view, both teams are getting better, which is what fans want to see,” Roos said.

“I think also fans like to see like-versus-like teams. They’ve got a few guys carried over from their really good years under Ross [Lyon]… they’ve got really good experience at one end and they’ve got some good youth at the other end.

“The fans like to see that [and] I think it’s good for Melbourne fans and St Kilda fans to compare a (Luke) Dunstan to [an Angus] Brayshaw or whoever that might be.

“I’m like Richo, we want to finish the season off strongly. It’s important for us to set a winning culture, as it is for them at St Kilda.”

Roos flagged the possibility of Tom McDonald again starting up forward, with the versatile tall kicking two goals against Brisbane in round 16.

“We thought it worked really well last week, even though we only kicked eight goals we had 20 scoring shots,” Roos said.

“With seven goals to one in the first half, we were really pleased with that [and] we looked dangerous forward of centre.

“They’ve got some big forwards at the other end, certainly bringing Paddy McCartin in and [Josh] Bruce and Nick Riewoldt, so whether we can leave [Tom] there or not, that’s probably the intention going into the game is to [potentially] start that way.”

Roos praised the efforts of Saints captain Riewoldt, who pushed through a calf complaint to play in last week’s ‘Maddie’s Match’ against Richmond.

The match paid tribute to his sister, Madeleine Riewoldt, who passed away in February after a five-year battle with aplastic anaemia.

“If you didn’t respect Nick Riewoldt, you certainly would after last week,” Roos said.

“Because what he was able to do in that game and what it represented and watching him limping at half time and coming back out [was inspiring].

“I’ve always thought he was an outstanding player and an outstanding person but for him to do what he did last week was just exceptional.

“Whether that affects his ability to play this week, I’m not sure, we’re certainly preparing for him and expecting him to play.”

While Melbourne has lost its past 11 matches against St Kilda – with its last win coming in the 2006 Elimination Final – Roos said he was unfazed by the “streak”.

“I’ve only been part of a couple of games [against St Kilda] so I’ve got no idea as to the years before,” he said.

“Every game’s different, we’re playing them at the MCG [this time] and the last game was at Etihad and last year was at Etihad.

“So we’ll prepare as best we can and look to beat them regardless of the streak – good or bad.”