St Kilda and Melbourne do battle in the ultimate gut-check game of 2013. A loss for either side will bring their season to a new low or a perhaps shine on what’s to come. Join our live coverage and blog as we cover this huge game from 4.40pm AEST.
It’s been hard to look past either club this week as they have both had a tumultuous week off the field.
St Kilda has had the PR nightmare with star forward Stephan Milne charged with rape.
Meanwhile Melbourne meanwhile welcome in interim head coach Neil Craig after Mark Neeld was given the flick after a year-and-a-half in the top job.
So yep, just a quiet week for both clubs.
The Demons will look to stop St Kilda run and flow style of play by clogging up the middle of the ground.
The best way to limit the Saints is stopping the quick release into their mobile forward line.
The Demons actually match it with the Saints in all midfield statistics, but in saying that neither side are actually good in the midfield, in fact they might be two of the worst in the AFL if not the worst.
One key area the Saints will look to take advantage of is in the ruck and down forward with Riewoldt.
If McEvoy and Riewoldt can get off the chains consider it game over for Melbourne.
One name not to sleep on however is Trent Dennis-Lane, who has been in stellar VFL form and looks set to kick a bag. A perfect sub ploy to Riewoldt.
For not a spotlight game this one sure has it all.
The storylines, the intrigue, the unknown and even Jack Watts apparently starting on the ball for the Demons.
Be sure to catch all the action below on our live blog from 4.40pm AEST to see how all the key story lines play out.
Frosty
Roar Rookie
how many points start did melbourne have
Connor
Roar Rookie
Not too bad. I'll take that. Thanks for the coverage Brodie
Brodie
Roar Guru
FULL TIME STK: 16.8.104 MEL: 10.9.69 The Saints too good in the early part however a good sign for Melbourne is there last quarter win. A positive to take into next week in a winnable game and the Dogs. My 3 Votes for best on ground go to 3 Votes: Leigh Montagna 2 Votes: Farren Ray 1 Vote: Colin Sylvia
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 5′ Remaining Though Lyndon Dunn off the half back line the Dees have a mark through Howe. From the tight angle Howe GOALS! STK: 16.7.103 MEL: 10.6.66
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 5′ Remaining Coming off half-back Geary marks and GOALS! 45m out. The game has lost all it's bite. I'm not even sure if anyone is reading this anymore! STK: 16.7.103 MEL: 9.6.60
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 7′ Remaining After struggling with the ball outside 50 the Dees, through Jack Watts hits Jack Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick GOALS! STK: 15.7.97 MEL: 9.6.60
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 9′ Remaining The Dees have really been closing this game out nicely. The ball is locked in the 50 however they just cannot convert. STK: 15.7.97 MEL: 8.6.54
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 14′ Remaining The Dees peg another back through Shannon Byrnes as he slots a set shot for a GOAL! STK: 15.7.97 MEL: 8.5.53
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 16′ Remaining The St Kilda rebound is at it again. A quick transition ends up with a wide open Kosi 45m out. Kosi misses. STK: 15.7.97 MEL: 7.5.47
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 18′ Remaining Ball still trapped in the Melbourne 50. Great pressure to begin the last. And just as I say that Nicky Dal hits Nick Riewoldt. STK: 15.6.96 MEL: 7.5.47
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 20′ Remaining Underway now with Melbourne winning the first clearance. Throw in inside 50. STK: 15.6.96 MEL: 7.5.47
Brodie
Roar Guru
THREE QUARTER TIME STK: 15.6.96 MEL: 7.5.47 TOP DISPOSALS STK: Montagna 28, Steven 23, Ray 22, Milera 21, Geary 20, Armitage 18 MEL: Sylvia 24, Jones 20, Terlich 20, Garland 20, Clisby 18 GOALS STK: Riewoldt 3, Koschitzke 2, Ray 2, Dennis-Lane 1, Milera 1, Montagna 1, Armitage 1, Dempster 1, Jones 1, Ross 1 MEL: Watts 2, Blease 1, Howe 1, Jones 1, Kent 1, Dawes 1
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 – 1′ Remaining After dishing off many goals Terry Milera gets one of his own after St Kilda floods forward. Dennis-Lane and Milera team up for the GOAL! STK: 15.6.96 MEL: 7.5.47
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 – 3′ Remaining Joey Montagna boots a clearance into the forward pocket where Dunell marks. With the Bannnan Dunell misses. STK: 14.5.89 MEL: 7.5.47
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 – 5′ Remaining Jeremy Howe settles things for the Dees with a good mark in the goal square after their clearance. Howe GOALS! STK: 14.4.88 MEL: 7.5.47
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 – 5′ Remaining The rebound goes bang! Milera hands off to Armitage who gallops into goal and nails it! GOAL! STK: 14.4.88 MEL: 6.5.41
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 – 5′ Remaining Watts in the middle goes to Nathan Jones 50 odd meters out. He shanks it to the middle of the Melbourne 50 and the Saints rebound is on! STK: 13.4.82 MEL: 6.5.41
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 – 9′ Remaining Melbourne's work is ruined after Jimmy Toumpas gets caught holding the ball 20m out. Dissapointing after a promising lead up. STK: 13.4.82 MEL: 6.4.40
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 – 9′ Remaining Nathan Jones continues to be the best Demon pushing back into defense and taking a nice mark. The Dees slowly working there way forward now. STK: 13.4.82 MEL: 6.4.40
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q3 – 13′ Remaining Terry Milera marks 45m out and Nick Riewoldt continues to work and finds some open space for a mark. Roo nails it! GOAL! STK: 13.4.82 MEL: 6.4.40