St Kilda has proven too good for North Melbourne in an at-times unattractive contest at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

There were few highlights in an error-riddled contest on Sunday despite perfect conditions under the roof at Marvel Stadium.

Captain Jack Steele (20 disposals, nine clearances) and physical ruckman Rowan Marshall (21, five) steered the Saints to an 8.16 (64) to 4.10 (34) triumph, with Dan Butler and Jack Higgins kicking two goals apiece.

Strength Through Loyalty: Become a 2023 Member as we celebrate our 150th Year

However, Marshall finished the match on the bench with ice on his left ankle after Jade Gresham had already been substituted out with a sore knee and hand.

The result reaffirmed the Ross Lyon-coached Saints' (6-2) spot in the top four after losses in two of their previous three matches.

SAINTS MATCH CENTRE: View all news, stats and videos from Round 8

The Kangaroos, now on a six-match losing streak, set records for the wrong reasons as they kicked 0.7 from 22 forward entries in the first half.

It was the first time they had been goalless at the main break since round 12, 1979.

Round 8 v North Melbourne
  • 06:06

    Rising Star Phillipou joins AFL 360

    AFL Rising Star Mattaes Phillipou joins Gerard Whateley and Mark Robinson on AFL 360 following his award-winning performance.

    AFL
    Video
  • 03:42

    RD8 | All the goals v North Melbourne

    Relive every major from the Saints' 30-point win over the Kangaroos.

    AFL
    Video
  • 01:05

    RD8 | Silky Wilkie a cut above under the roof

    A career-high 28 disposals and 12 intercepts had Callum Wilkie as one of the Saints' best from Sunday's game.

    AFL
    Video
  • 05:06

    Aerial attacks on Phillipou radar, 'trying too hard' adjustment

    AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey and round eight Rising Star nominee Mattaes Phillipou discuss life at St Kilda and more.

    AFL
    Video
  • 01:22

    Sky's the limit: High-flying Phillipou earns Rising Star

    Watch the highlights and find out why Mattaes Phillipou gets the AFL Rising Star in round eight.

    AFL
    Video
  • 00:57

    Who did it better? Sharman and Phillipou rate each other's screamers

    Fresh off two potential Mark of the Year contenders, teammates Mattaes Phillipou and Cooper Sharman put each of their hangers under the microscope.

    AFL
    Video
  • 14:09

    RD8 | Mini-Match: North Melbourne v St Kilda

    Extended highlights of the Kangaroos and Saints clash in round eight.

    AFL
    Video
  • 01:31

    RD8 | 'We're just happy to get the win': Byrnes post-game

    Ryan Byrnes spoke to STK Media following Sunday's win over North Melbourne.

    AFL
    Video
  • 06:16

    RD8 | 'We'll take the points': Lyon post-game press conference

    Watch St Kilda's press conference after round eight's match against North Melbourne.

    AFL
    Press Conference
  • 08:31

    RD8 | Highlights v North Melbourne

    The Kangaroos and Saints clash in round eight.

    AFL
    Video
  • 00:33

    RD8 | Team Song

    Watch the Saints celebrate their round eight win

    AFL
    Video
  • 02:04

    RD8 | Phillipou post-game on his unbelievable hanger, loving life as a Saint

    Mattaes Phillipou joins Fox Footy on the final siren as St Kilda consolidates an important win over North Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.

    AFL
    Video
  • 00:18

    RD8 | Rolled ankle rules Marshall out for remainder of Sunday's action

    St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall finishes the game on the interchange bench with ice on his ankle.

    AFL
    Video
  • 00:39

    RD8 | Phillipou stuns Marvel with spectacular speccy

    Saints young gun Mattaes Phillipou shocks the stadium with this amazing grab.

    AFL
    Video
  • 00:42

    RD8 | Crouch breaks down first half over Roos

    Brad Crouch joins Fox Footy's Sarah Jones after a low-scoring opening half against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

    AFL
    Video
  • 00:51

    RD8 | Butler turns on spin cycle in sumptuous goal

    St Kilda's Dan Butler electrifies with this stellar move and finish.

    AFL
    Video
  • 00:27

    RD8 | Saints roar as Sharman soars for monster mark

    Cooper Sharman excites the Saints fans with this speccy on the wing.

    AFL
    Video
  • 00:39

    RD8 | Butler serves up much-anticipated opener in style

    Dan Butler finally breaks the deadlock with this silky first goal of the game.

    AFL
    Video
  • 04:13

    RD8 | 'I'm no Dave Chappelle!': Lyon joins Fox Footy pre-game

    Senior Coach Ross Lyon swings past the Fox Footy panel as the Saints and Roos steady themselves for a big match at Marvel Stadium.

    AFL
    Video
  • 12:15

    'We're expecting a fierce response': Lyon with the latest ahead of Round 8

    Ross Lyon addresses the media for his weekly press conference as St Kilda prepares for its Sunday match-up against North Melbourne.

    AFL
    Press Conference

Nick Larkey eventually broke the drought at the three-minute mark of the third quarter and booted his second four minutes later, cutting the margin to 10 points.

But the Saints steadied with three of the next four goals and fought out a scrappy win.

Mattaes Phillipou provided a rare highlight when he soared over teammate Brad Crouch and Darcy Tucker for a huge final-quarter mark. Tucker was also on the receiving end of a huge bump from Jack Sinclair.

North Melbourne spearhead Larkey finished with three goals, all in the third quarter, and young star Harry Sheezel gathered 30 disposals in another strong display.

The worst half of football this year was best characterised by a comedy of errors during the second term, which started when Saints teammates Brad Crouch and Ben Paton collided in the centre of the ground.

What should have been an uncontested mark to one of them instead gifted North Melbourne an open shot at goal, but Cameron Zurhaar missed on the run from 20 metres.

Larkey's two goals at the start of the second half gave the Kangaroos genuine hope, but a 50-metre penalty against Jy Simpkin allowed Mitch Owens to steady for the Saints, who held their opponents at bay.

Kangaroos veteran Ben Cunnington was substituted out for the second time this season, having managed just seven disposals in three quarters.

NORTH MELBOURNE  0.4  0.7  3.7  4.10 (34)
ST KILDA  1.6  3.9  6.15  8.16 (64)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Larkey 3, Stephenson
St Kilda: Butler 2, Higgins 2, Sinclair, Sharman, Owens, Wood

BEST
North Melbourne: Ziebell, McKay, Sheezel, Goldstein, Shiels
St Kilda: Wilkie, Steele, Clark, Owens, Marshall, Hill

INJURIES
North Melbourne: TBC
St Kilda: Rowan Marshall (Ankle), Gresham (knee)

SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Charlie Lazzaro (replaced Ben Cunnington at three-quarter time)
St Kilda: Jack Bytel (replaced Jade Gresham at three-quarter time)

EXPLORE