For St Kilda, knocking off Hawthorn was just the tip of the iceberg. 

Now, Melbourne is the next target in the club’s conquest to prove the doubters wrong. 

The Saints did just that and defied expectation in their last clash with the Demons, coming away with the chocolates by just two points in what was heart-stopping game of footy.

GAME PREVIEW: Melbourne v St Kilda

It was a result which saw the Saints secure their first back-to-back win since Round 15-16 of 2017, yet just the one win against Carlton followed on from their stunning triumph. 

It’s been a vastly different story this season however, with St Kilda starting the season 3-1 and brimming with belief after their toppling of the Hawks in last Sunday’s nail-biter. 

The fortunes haven’t been as rewarding for Simon Goodwin’s Demons this year, who have chalked up just the one victory after a turbulent start to their 2019 campaign. 

Melbourne snapped their run last week with a rousing victory over Sydney, and coupled with a nine-day break, will be fixed on getting its season back on track to a top-four finish.

A key instigator to the Dees’ resurgence has been Max Gawn, with the two-time All Australian reaffirming his status as one of the competition’s most dangerous ruckmen with a 55 hit-out display against the Swans. 

St Kilda will need every available resource to combat the Demons' midfield force of Clayton Oliver, Angus Brayshaw, James Harmes and Jack Viney, who have been pertinent in driving their side forward. 

Melbourne’s 239 inside 50s from its past four games – inclusive of 72 accumulated against Geelong in Round 2 – has been a testament to the Dees’ potential to get on top in the midfield; a trait enhanced by their aptitude for prolific, contested footy.

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Curtailing their influence will be more than a tough ask for the Saints’ on-ball brigade, and it’s something they simply can’t afford to let happen.

The return of Jack Steven will be imperative in asserting midfield dominance however, as will be the form of stalwarts Jack Steele and Seb Ross, who have been complimented by the emergence of Jack Billings and Jade Gresham. 

Steven was St Kilda’s saviour last season with 27 disposals and a crucial final-quarter major to hold off Melbourne as they stormed home with the last three goals of the game.

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But the Demons have been unable to replicate such potency in front of goal over the past month, with just a 39 per cent efficiency rating inside 50. 

A reliable source for their scoring has been elusive so far, with Jake Melksham and Brayshaw the only players to register a goal a game for the Dees this season. 

It’s a task made harder by the recent form of Callum Wilkie, with the newly-signed Saint piecing together four impressive games to assume the defensive duties of Jake Carlisle and Dylan Roberton.

In their own defensive half, the Dees rank last for rebound 50s (144), yet the inclusions of the experienced Jordan Lewis and Neville Jetta this week should help remedy that issue. 

Melbourne will welcome skipper Nathan Jones’ timely return to form, yet the Saints will have their own leader in Jarryn Geary back from illness after he was a late withdrawal in last Sunday’s match. 

With a host of stars returning for both sides and the hunger to win insatiable, the stage is set for a Saturday afternoon special.