St Kilda holds off fast-finishing Melbourne to put dent in Demons’ top-four hopes
THIS was supposed to be a game where Melbourne made a significant statement. But instead, JON RALPH writes it was St Kilda who shone, putting a dent in the Dees’ top-four hopes.
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JADE Gresham flashed through the centre square like a silver bullet.
Two weeks ago after kicking the goal that might have saved Alan Richardson, his coach was using him to bamboozle Melbourne.
Off the back of the centre square he tore through the contest without breaking stride, gathering to hit Tim Membrey laces out for an early Saints goal.
STATS, SUPERCOACH: DEES STUN SAINTS
For so much of this year Richardson’s teams have been so easy to play against they resembled an Under-15 side.
No spread, not much system, horrific errors by foot, likely to stop in their tracks at some stage if they did give a yelp.
Gresh doing Gresh things 😠pic.twitter.com/hNDYpgq4Q6
— St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) July 1, 2018
On Sunday at the MCG, Richardson’s Saints asked the Demons enough questions they just couldn’t answer.
In Richardson’s finest day in the coaches box this year, they showed what might have been in 2018.
And simultaneously put a decent-sized dent in Melbourne’s top four aspirations after a trio of consecutive damaging defeats.
Even then it took a Jack Steven centre square clearance with 30 seconds remaining to lock away the four points, after a late flurry of Melbourne goals threatened an unlikely miracle comeback.
His final effort sealed the win after goals to Bayley Fritsch, Jesse Hogan and Jordan Lewis had the Demons two points down in a game they had no right to win.
That trio slammed on three goals in five minutes to set panic into the hearts of St Kilda supporters.
In truth the Demons had no right to even be close.
Two weeks after that late escape against the Suns, the Saints played the captivating brand of football their supporters had expected of them this year.
Membrey, Josh Battle and Patrick McCartin as hard-leading targets, the midfield run relentless, the small forwards intoxicating.
When Gresham wasn’t completing trick plays that confounded the Demons he was setting up goals and kicking four of them himself.
McCartin might have played his best game of the year, while Membrey’s turnaround from the yips (another four goals) is nothing short of extraordinary.
David Armitage was an inside bull, Jack Sinclair showed why he was rated elite in the pre-season and the midfield just kept on running.
Leaders David Armitage and Jarryn Geary stood up with real fight, the former’s grunt work in the past two wins a huge part of their turnaround.
Thank goodness for Max Gawn, his herculean performance against the flow limiting the percentage loss if not saving the four premiership points.
His 25 disposals, 11 marks (seven contested) and 39 hit-outs was one of the performances of the season.
Pity it was wasted on a day where the Demons did nothing to dispel all the question marks that abound.
This was supposed to be a game where Melbourne made a significant statement.
They had dropped Bernie Vince, backed in their defensive six to perform, been adamant Christian Petracca and Jesse Hogan would fire.
Instead, after exploding with the first three goals of the game, they went to sleep.
By quarter time St Kilda had gone inside 50 ten times for seven scores, surging forward at will to run the Demons off their feet.
All over the ground the signs were terrible.
Two protected zone 50m penalties through poor concentration led to St Kilda goals, two Saints received quick handballs to turn long 50m set shots into rousing goals.
When Clayton Oliver dumped Daniel McKenzie, handing David Armitage a 50m penalty and goal on the siren, the Demons looked lazy and off their game.
Viney, Nathan Jones and Oliver finally sparked into life in the last term, while Hogan kicked three second-half goals, two from free kicks.
But if Fritsch bobbed up with four goals and they lost by less than a kick, all those queries about their defence and attack remain relevant.
As a result a team that aspires to greatness is back in the pack, like this time last year far from sealing a finals spot despite all the talent they possess.
ST KILDA 4.3 11.6 14.10 18.11 (119) def MELBOURNE 4.2 9.3 11.6 18.9 (117)
GOALS
St Kilda: J Gresham 4 T Membrey 4 P McCartin 2 D Armitage H Clark J Battle J Billings J Newnes J Steele J Steven S Savage
Melbourne: B Fritsch 4 J Harmes 3 J Hogan 3 A Brayshaw 2 A Neal-Bullen C Petracca D Tyson J Lewis J Melksham T McDonald. Umpires: Troy Pannell, Curtis Deboy, Hayden Gavine. Venue: MCG.
BEST
MELBOURNE: Gawn, Harmes, Brayshaw, Hogan, Viney, Fritsch
ST KILDA: Gresham, Membrey, Carlisle, Steven, Armitage, McCartin, Steele, Billings
VOTES
3. Max Gawn
2. Jade Gresham
1. Tim Membrey
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