Star ruckman Max Gawn leads Melbourne to a drought-breaking win against St Kilda

IT was one of the longest running hoodoos in the AFL. Melbourne went into Saturday’s match against St Kilda having lost 14 straight to the Saints. But the Dees finally had their revenge.

Nathan Jones celebrates with fans after the match. Picture: Getty Images

IT was billed as a battle of the future.

Two sides, similar age profiles and experience.

And it was Melbourne that was first to thrust its hand up as a contender for long-awaited September action.

The last time the Demons beat St Kilda, in an elimination final, George W. Bush was the leader of the free world and John Howard led this country.

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There was to be no more of that monkey on the back, thank you very much. Eleven years — some 3851 days — was more than long enough.

That year — 2006 — was also the last time that Melbourne played finals.

They hesitated at first, but the three quarters that ensued after the first break showed the Demons are the real deal all-round, playing on at every opportunity and reaping the benefits.

Clayton Oliver and Alex Neal-Bullen celebrate a goal for Melbourne. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Debutant Mitch Hannan booted his first AFL goal around his body and broke the dam wall, with a flood of nine unanswered goals showing the Demons’ muscle.

It’s Round 1 — no one is disputing that — but this was a statement, and it was led by Max Gawn.

That’s service.

The game’s most famous beard again proved exactly why it is to be feared, racking up 49 hitouts.

Then there was Jesse Hogan.

Just a fortnight ago he admitted he’d been plagued last year by the decision on his future. His “head space wasn’t there”.

But there was no denying his head was well and truly in Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Three goals, eight marks and one big tick.

Clayton Oliver was sublime and co-skipper Jack Viney proved leadership suits him.

Not bad for a side Champion Data ranked as the “worst midfield in the competition”.

According to the 2017 Prospectus, just six Melbourne midfielders are ranked “average” — including Viney, skipper Nathan Jones and star recruit Jordan Lewis.

None are above average or elite — a case that could well be argued, particularly the latter, after Saturday’s showing.

One area of concern for AFL great Wayne Carey mid-match was overuse, which must be addressed by the Demons as more polished sides await.

Max Gawn dominated in the ruck for Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

The Demons had 41 more handballs than the Saints — a leaf out of the reigning premiers’ playbook, perhaps — but things weren’t always slick.

They weren’t Saturday, but they’ll be made to pay.

“At times, they’ve been clear and have looked for the perfect handball rather than kicked the ball forward,” Carey said on Triple M.

“They give handballs to players who are under more pressure than they are initially.

“When they kick the ball long and direct and don’t overuse the handball, they look so dangerous.”

Ball use and decision-making was below-par for the Saints.

As for defensive pressure, there was little — after quarter time, at least.

After the first quarter, you’d have suggested to park Nick Riewoldt inside 50 and let him do his thing.

Bernie Vince celebrates his side’s win. Picture: Getty Images

At the beginning of the second, he booted his fourth major and proved that like a fine wine, he only gets better with age and was ably supported by young gun Jade Gresham until the veteran was stretchered off in the final term. But after that, there was little opportunity.

Jake Carlisle proved serviceable in his return since serving a doping ban from his time at Essendon, a glimmer of what could be to come with a clunking pack mark in the third quarter, while former Giant Jack Steele was the Saints’ highest possession winner.

Originally published as Star ruckman Max Gawn leads Melbourne to a drought-breaking win against St Kilda