The Melbourne Demons will make the short trip across to Docklands this afternoon to face off with the St Kilda Saints in what could propel either side towards a finals shot. Join The Roar from 3:20pm (AEST) for all the live highlights and action.
Both on 28 points after 16 rounds, the Saints and Dees both have the chance to nestle in with Port Adelaide on 32 and nipping on the heels of the top eight.
Their percentages are likely to keep them both behind the Power, especially St Kilda who are at the wrong end of the standings in that regard, however, a big win for the Demons could see them just surpass Port into 9th.
The fact that Melbourne have lost an insane 13 straight games to the Saints is bad enough, with their last win coming a decade ago in 2006, but they also hold a dismal record of just one win from their last 24 trips to Etihad Stadium.
Team News
Not a lot of movement from either side this week in terms of squad selection, but both coaches have still made changes nonetheless.
St Kilda will be without Shane Savage for today’s matchup after the New Zealand-born midfielder was ruled out with concussion.
Luke Delaney is the other omission for the Saints coming into this one, with the two young Jacks, Billings and Sinclair, coming into the 22.
Just the one change for the Demons this week, coach Paul Roos welcoming back Angus Brayshaw for his first game since Round 5.
The 20-year old has been on the mend after copping two concussions within three weeks while playing back down in the VFL earlier in the year.
Billy Stretch has been nudged out of the side for Brayshaw’s return.
Prediction
The Demons have had a fairly up and down season so far, and it only looks like it will continue against St Kilda, who have turned the Demon’s into a bit of a bunny for them.
The Saints aren’t exactly blowing away the competition either, but a strong showing last week got them the points, and they should be able to do it again this week.
St Kilda to win by 21
me too
Guest
Haven't beaten the Saints there since 2002. Must be the biggest home advanateg in comp history?
Connor Bennett
Editor
The Roar's AFL MVP votes: 3 - Jack Viney - The best for the Dees in a losing effort, Viney kept himself busy throughout the afternoon and into the night, plugging away as the workhorse more than an individual stand out. 33 disposals and a game-high 24 handballs, a mere nine more than the next best, also racking up a game-high 6 tackles. 2 - Tim Membrey - Racked up 16 disposals, 12 kicks and 6 marks inside 50. He led the offence with four goals to create the gap his side would hold for the remainder. 1 - Leigh Montagna - Similiar to Viney, Montagna wrestled the midfield away from Melbourne, leading the way for his forward line to capitalise on the pressure in the centre. 26 disposals, 5 inside 50's and one goal to top it off
Connor Bennett
Editor
Melbourne have now lost 14... FOURTEEN!!! In a row against St Kilda, holding an even worse record at Etihad.
Connor Bennett
Editor
It was a fairly undulating game of footy at the end of the day. The Demons burst out to an early lead, surprising the hosts were slow out of the gates, but it was a five goals to zero second quarter in favour of the Saints that changes the game. Sinking another pair of six pointers and keeping the Dees scoreless for most of the third, the game looked to wrapped up for the Saints, but Melbourne would not lie down. The Demons would kick four goals in a row to get within five points early in the fourth term, but the Saints recovered to waltz home and kick four of the last five to win by 36
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME It's all over inside Etihad Stadium, and it's the Saints who move off equal points and leap frog today's opponents into tenth spot. St Kilda 15.20 (110) Melbourne 11.8 (74)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL SAINTS!! 25 seconds left in the game, and St Kilda get another to rub salt in the wound. The Demons have spent the last three minutes trying to clear out of the defensive 50, but the Saints midfield haven't alloowed the ball to get any further than centre square. Luke Dunstan snaps out of traffic off the ball up, sending home the his sides 15th goal of the day. St Kilda 15.20 (110) Melbourne 11.8 (74)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Slowing down now. The Saints happy to kill time in between kicks but the contest is still on inside the Demons defensive 50. The later clears up field but it's not a good one and the pressure is right back on at the back St Kilda 14.20 (104) Melbourne 11.8 (74)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Open space on the right wing for St Kilda, finding Bruce in the forward 50 with the long ball but he's cramped for room on the boundary line. Saint's go back looking for support but they run into the Demons sweeping defence. St Kilda 14.20 (104) Melbourne 11.8 (74)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Inside the final four minutes. The Dees are looking dejected, and rightly so, the Saints have just closed them down in this final quarter. St Kilda 14.20 (104) Melbourne 11.8 (74)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL SAINTS!! A perfect response from St Kilda who have done this all night, cutting down the Dees with a goal right after conceding, this time less than a minute from the Kennedy goal. Josh Bruce gets his second of the day from the set kick in front. St Kilda 14.18 (102) Melbourne 11.8 (74)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Demons not giving up, rolling up field through the centre square, connecting on the handball well and... Oh, GOAL!! GOAL DEMONS!! Ben Kennedy kicks the goal from the edge of the 50. He was looking for options closer to goal in open play, but decided to just shape up and go himself, hitting it low over the last defender and rolling it through the gate. St Kilda 13.18 (96) Melbourne 11.8 (74)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Melbourne just a little sloppy getting out of the danger zone, calling back to their form in the second quarter. St Kilda win a free on the left flank, a reward for some stern pressure in defence and aggressive cover in the midfield. St Kilda 13.18 (96) Melbourne 10.8 (68)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' The Saints have certainly turned it around coming into the final moments of the game. They held on to a five-point lead just 6 minutes ago, now they walk comfortably with a 28 point buffer St Kilda 13.18 (96) Melbourne 10.8 (68)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL SAINTS!! And wouldn't you know it, just as I mention Melbourne's inability to get out of their half, they gift St Kilda an intercept with a poor clearance from the defensive 50, allowing Dylan Roberton to nab the steal, run it into the forward 50, and fire off the right boot through the middle of goal for six more points. St Kilda 13.16 (94) Melbourne 10.8 (68)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Coming into the final ten minutes A rush behind for the Saints give the Demons a chance to build out of their own half, not something that they've had much success with tonight. St Kilda 12.16 (88) Melbourne 10.8 (68)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Riewoldt is open again inside forward 50. The Sains midfield have gone back to their form in the second quarter, just dominating the Dees in centre field and creating all the chances up front. Riewoldt slices it off the boot guiding it through the right sticks for a behind. Not a goal, but the pressure won't stop for Melbourne. St Kilda 12.14 (86) Melbourne 10.8 (68)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL SAINTS!! As quickly as they scored their last goal, they've walked up field and sunk another one!! Huge blow for the Dees who were right on the heels of St Kilda, but they've let the opposition return serve not once, but twice in quick succession. St Kilda 12.13 (85) Melbourne 10.8 (68)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' St Kilda don't exactly look lost or dominated, but you feel the Demons just have the run of play since their drought-breaking goal midway through the third quarter. Hang on... I'll eat my words. The Saints have netted a goal. GOAL SAINTS!!! Superb hustle from St Kilda to force the ball into the forward 50, finished off by a scrambling Nick Riewoldt in front of goal, the lead now back ahead of that one goal margin. St Kilda 11.13 (79) Melbourne 10.8 (68)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL DEOMNS!! Big Maxxy Gawn kicks another one!! Nailing a perfect set kick from 40 metres, bringing it back from the right to curl through the centre gate. Huge goal for Melbourne and they are now within just five points, what a comeback this has been. St Kilda 10.13 (73) Melbourne 10.8 (68)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Ball in centre field with the Saints, they head left but switch back into the middle searching for space. Neither side can get a grip on the ball here but it's not looking good for the Demons in front of their own goal. Sinclair nearly soccer kicks it through!!! But he's just toed it wide for the one point St Kilda 10.13 (73) Melbourne 9.8 (62)