St Kilda Saints vs Melbourne Demons: AFL match result, highlights

Match result:

In a tight and enthralling contest, the St Kilda Saints have come out on top by 19 points to deliver Brett Ratten his second consecutive win as St Kilda caretaker coach.

Final score
St Kilda Saints 15.14.104
Melbourne Demons 13.7.85

Match preview:

Saturday night has us turn our attention to Victoria, as a revitalised St Kilda host the Melbourne Demons at Marvel Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:25pm (AEST).

Well, the new coach factor strikes again. Up against a gunning-for-finals Western Bulldogs outfit, the Saints pulled off their best performance of the year to comfortably win – all coming after a tumultuous week wherein former coach Alan Richardson departed the club. In: Brett Ratten, and in: a seemingly renewed sense of focus.

Melbourne, for their part, have been a little rubbish all year, but have regained some confidence in recent weeks to provide fans with enough encouragement to stick by them: the only thing is, they’re not winning. It’s difficult to provide too much hope without winning.

One thing going for them is they’re the bookies’ favourites heading into this clash, yet seem to trail in much of public opinion.

Another semi-encouraging sign is the Demons’ good recent history against St Kilda: they’ve won three of their past five against the squad from Moorabbin, albeit the Saints have snatched the past two.

I’m expecting this one to remain close most of the way through the clash. St Kilda’s fast start last week would have Melbourne a little worried, given the latter’s slow start against the Eagles.

The Demons proved last week that they’re able to come back into games, something that almost troubled the Saints in their third quarter last week.

Teams wise, both of tonight’s squads have made a couple of changes. St Kilda’s made just the solitary change, barring any late changes, with Matthew Parker omitted and Ben Long the inclusion.

Melbourne have made a trio of selection alterations: Steven May is out with an injury, and Braydon Pruess and Jay Lockhart have been omitted. Oskar Baker, Tim Smith and Oscar McDonald are the trio of inclusions.

Prediction
Melbourne have shown encouraging signs of late, and looked strong at times against the reigning premiers in the top end last week.

St Kilda, however, will be buoyed by a home crowd and by their ambition for a strong finish to the year should see them clinch the win. By a small margin, naturally.

St Kilda by 5 points

When: 7:25pm (AEST)

Where: MCG, Melbourne
TV:  Fox Footy

Betting: St Kilda $2.00, Melbourne $1.82

St Kilda Saints
B Nick Coffield, Nathan Brown, Shane Savage
HB Callum Wilkie, Jake Carlisle, Hunter Clark
C Jack Billings, Sebastian Ross, Jack Newnes
HF Jack Sinclair, Josh Bruce, Ben Long
F Jack Lonie, Tim Membrey, Doulton Langlands
FOL Rowan Marshall, Blake Acres, Jade Gresham
I/C Luke Dunstan, Jack Steele, Ben Paton, Nick Hind

Melbourne Demons
B Michael Hibberd, Jake Lever, Neville Jetta
HB Jordan Lewis, Sam Frost, Christian Salem
C Nathan Jones, Clayton Oliver, Oskar Baker
HF James Harmes, Harrison Petty, Jayden Hunt
F Christian Petracca, Tim Smith, Bayley Fritsch
FOL Max Gawn, Jack Viney, Angus Brayshaw
I/C Oscar McDonald, Alex Neal-Bullen, Corey Wagner, Josh Wagner