St Kilda is back on the winners' list following a hard-fought scrap over Carlton at Marvel Stadium.

The Blues brought the heat and challenged all throughout the spiteful contest – which resulted in two melees in the third term – but the Saints weathered the storm to come away with the four points.

It was by no means a flawless performance, with skill errors, inaccuracy and turnovers plaguing both sides in a game where fluid and transitional play was limited.

LOUD AND PROUD: Watch the boys belt out the team song

Despite the scrappy affair, Jack Steele starred under the roof, racking up 28 disposals, four clearances and a trademark 10 tackles in yet another enticing duel with Carlton skipper, Patrick Cripps.

Although the Brownlow favourite led his side with 28 possessions and eight clearances of his own, Steele’s hard work curtailed his influence significantly.

Fittingly, Jade Gresham was a standout in the Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash, and his 29 touches, six clearances and six inside-50s were perfectly complemented by the bullish inside work of Luke Dunstan (eight clearances).

Gresham won all four of St Kilda’s centre clearances in the opening term, with his electric pace and creativity evident throughout all four quarters.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Saints see off Blues

Inaccuracy in front of goal again hindered Alan Richardson's side (9.14 from 47 entries) to let the Blues back in, but the Saints' tall timber kicked truly when it mattered.

Tim Membrey and Josh Bruce bagged two goals each, while Matty Parker overcame his early yips to finish with a pair on a significant day for the indigenous talent.

Carlton’s height up front loomed ominously all afternoon and threatened to topple the undersized defence, but the defensive work of Nathan Brown was invaluable in keeping the Blues at bay.

Although the numbers tell one story (nine disposals), the veteran’s one-percenters (a game-high 13) and aerial impact were of paramount importance, particularly in the second half when the ‘Baggers looked like arresting momentum late.

St Kilda will have an opportunity to jump back into the top eight in the highly-anticipated clash with Port Adelaide in Shanghai’s Jiangwan Stadium.