Jack Steven and Seb Ross lead St Kilda to a big win against North Melbourne

NICK Riewoldt is in the final stages of his career. But that didn’t stop him from desperately trying to use up every drip left in his petrol tank during a stunning 120 seconds on Sunday.

Nick Riewoldt continues to work hard for the Saints. Picture: Getty Images

THIS season won’t sit comfortably with anyone at St Kilda.

Whether it was the Paddy Ryder tap, the inaccurate goal kicking or the midfield fade-outs, senior coach Alan Richardson has a lot to ponder over summer to make sure 2018 is the year they have a meaningful crack at a top-four spot.

And Sunday’s win over North Melbourne was significant for reasons other than just keeping their faint finals hopes alive.

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They need a footy miracle, really, but St Kilda can snatch a finals berth next week if they can thrash Richmond and West Coast and Essendon lose.

Remember, St Kilda produced their best footy of the season in the first half against the Tigers in Round 16 to lead by 82 points at the man change. It might be enough to give Damien Hardwick nightmares all week.

Shane Savage, Blake Acres and Seb Ross celebrate a goal for the Saints. Picture: AAP Images

Importantly, the St Kilda midfield roared back to life on Sunday as Jack Steven, Seb Ross, Luke Dunstan, Koby Stevens and Jack Billings contributed to what looked like one of the most even-handed midfield performances of the season.

Steven has had a modest month, but he had a day out with 40 touches, showing what a star he can be bursting away from the clearances. Likewise Ross also momentarily helped quieten Shaun Higgins in the second term, while gathering 36 disposals himself. He is a two-way player Ross, providing important balance to the Saints’ engine room.

But these two, Ross and Steven, need to become consistently elite players next season. Better than very good. And they can.

There’s been accusations St Kilda’s midfield is either pedestrian or not mature enough yet, and the assessment has fuelled the chase for a prized recruit such as Josh Kelly from Greater Western Sydney. But there was a clear mix of aggression and polish that pretty easily brushed aside the Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium by 49 points. Helpful for the percentage.

Jade Gresham is another who can make the jump into the A-Grade bracket, and some of his early bullet passes inside 50m, combined with a sweeping right foot 50m goal in the first term reeked of class.

The Saints must play finals next season. Picture: AAP Images

But the reality is St Kilda is anchored on only 11 wins. That’s one short of their season tally from last year. To make sure this year was not a backwards step, at least as the record will show, the Saints have to attack next week like it is a final and aim for back-to-back wins to help set a platform of sorts for the preseason.

And also to honour Nick Riewoldt. There was a two-minute period in the third quarter that summed the champion forward up as he tried desperately to use up every drip left in his petrol tank.

Eyeing a beautiful pass from Steven, Nick Riewoldt positioned his body perfectly to take the signature overhead mark, knowing the heavy contact was coming from Robbie Tarrant.

But even a strong chop of the arms could not break Riewoldt’s vice-like grip on the ball. And he slotted the goal.

Moments later, he sprinted up on the wing, fed off a handpass to Blake Acres that set up a Jack Sinclair goal.

And then after the next centre bounce, he made a final lung-busting effort to contest the ball on the opposite wing. It’s’ for those sort of efforts over 335 games that St Kilda must give everything next week against Richmond, and his Cousin Jack. Nick deserves to bow out a winner.

Nick Riewoldt celebrates a goal for the Saints. Picture: Getty Images

For North Melbourne, the big story was ruckman Todd Goldstein who emerged from his slump. After an ordinary year, Goldstein had more presence around the ground and marked the ball in the forward half. It was one of his best games of the year, clearly, and the Kangaroos will be asked about him in the trade period.

Higgins is on track for the Roos’ best and fairest and sparkled early to help the Roos lead by five points at the first change.

But they lost key defender Daniel Nielson to concussion early when Josh Bruce flew from behind and kneed Nielson to the back of the head. Braydon Preuss was also forced off the ground with what appeared to be a shoulder concern.