THERE was some commentary over the weekend suggesting stats are misleading, and in isolation, sometimes they are.

But if looking at the right ones, game trends can be found, and they tell a story in Melbourne’s unlikely three-point win over the Saints.

Here are some of the figures which helped shape the contest in Round 14.

In the middle

Centre bounce clearances:

Melbourne: 2 | St Kilda: 11

Centre bounce metres gained:

Melbourne: 107m | St Kilda: 480m

Centre bounce to inside 50:

Melbourne: 1 | St Kilda: 9

Ground balls post-clearance:

Melbourne +13

Melbourne’s tackles:

First half: 11 | Second half: 25

Melbourne’s inability to compete with the Saints in the centre proved to be an issue for a lot of Saturday night’s game, but it was able to win the ball back around the ground and lift its intensity after half-time.

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Going forward

Score:

Melbourne: 8.4 | St Kilda: 7.7

Inside 50s:

Melbourne: 30 | St Kilda: 46

Goals per inside 50s:

Melbourne: 27% | St Kilda: 15%

Uncontested possessions inside Melbourne’s 50:

Melbourne: 8 | St Kilda: 36

Forward half possession gains:

Melbourne: 16 | St Kilda: 26

Set shot accuracy:

Melbourne: 5.1

The Demons had limited looks inside 50 at TIO Traeger Park, having to make the most of their chances in front of goal.

06:42

RD 14 | Simon Goodwin post-match

Simon Goodwin talks to the media after a nail biting win over St Kilda in Alice Springs

Relentless defence

Efficiency inside 50:

St Kilda: 33%

Scores per inside 50s against in last quarter:

Melbourne: 20%

Time in possession – last 10 minutes:

Melbourne: 18% | St Kilda: 33%

One-percenters:

Melbourne: 44 | St Kilda: 32

Intercept marks:

Melbourne: 18 | St Kilda: 17

St Kilda controlled a lot of the game, forcing the Dees to scrap in defence all night – and they were up for the challenge.

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Individual efforts

Steven May:

Intercept possessions: 12 (game-high)

Intercept marks: 6 (game-high)

Possession gains: 12 (game-high)

Ed Langdon:

Kicks: 16 (game-high)

Uncontested possessions: 17 (team-high)

Metres gained: 453m (team-high)

Clayton Oliver:

Handballs: 18 (game-high)

Contested possessions: 16 (game-high)

First possession: 9 (game-high)

Pressure acts: 21 (game-high)

Christian Petracca:

Score: 4.1 (game-high)