On a day where St Kilda honoured its 1966 premiership heroes, Alan Richardson’s side produced a stunning performance at the MCG to comfortably defeat Collingwood by 29-points, despite losing two key forwards in the opening half.

Both Nick Riewoldt and emerging key forward Paddy McCartin sat out the entire second-half after suffering concussion from two separate incidents late in the second quarter.

A head-high hit by Collingwood’s Levi Greenwood on the Saints Captain resulted in a free kick and goal before Riewoldt came from the ground, whilst McCartin was the victim of his own bravery after taking a courageous mark running head on back with the flight.

Seemingly stung from a disappointing effort against the Western Bulldogs last weekend, St Kilda produced a convincing opening term, matching Collingwood early before booting 6 goals to four on the back of highly efficient forward 50 entries.

Across the opening two rounds and throughout the NAB Challenge series, Alan Richardson had lamented his sides final kick inside 50, demanding better service for the Saints forwards.

From the outset, what Richardson had been seeking was delivered, with St Kilda capitalising on their dominance, taking 10 marks inside 50 in the first 30 minutes – a whopping tally given the league average is 12.5 per game. Before the Saints finished with a season-high 19.

The forward pairing of 2015 leading goal kicker Josh Bruce and 2014 No. 1 pick Paddy McCartin is the future of St Kilda. With Riewoldt in the twilight of his decorated career, the Saints yearn for a seamless handover and the signs were bright early against the Magpies, with premiership defenders Ben Reid and Nathan Brown rotating through Bruce and McCartin, and struggling to contain them.

Unfortunately the peek into the future was short lived when McCartin was forced from the ground due to his own courage, with 1.2 and three marks inside 50 next to his name. After a quiet start against the Dogs, a step forward was taken on the MCG. But in McCartin and Riewoldt’s absence, Bruce stood up booting three goals.

Leigh Montagna continued his excellent start to 2016 as he continues to prove how damaging he can be when used across half-back. The veteran finished with another big haul, collecting 40 disposals, 14 marks and seven inside 50s. Age shall not weary him.

Unlike seven days earlier, a full complement of midfielders contributed, with David Armitage and Jack Steven taking a back seat to the younger brigade of Jack Newnes, Seb Ross, Jack Billings and Luke Dunstan. All four were instrumental in arresting a winless start to 2016, showing signs they can provide the desired level of contribution Richardson has demanded.

Whilst Newnes (34 possessions and eight inside 50s) and Ross (31 possessions accumulated leather all over the ground, Dunstan’s (25 possessions and seven tackles) work in close and clean ball use shone brightly on an overcast afternoon at the home of football, along with Billings (30 possessions, five inside 50s and five tackles) whose left-foot left spectators salivating at times.

There is little wonder why the Saints look to get the ball in Billings’ hands in the front half of the ground,  finishing is right out of the top drawer. And along with Newnes and Ross, all three finished with career-high disposal counts.

Following Alex Fasolo’s six-goal best and ground performance against Richmond last Friday night, ultra-dependable small defender Jarryn Geary trailed Fasolo around all afternoon, restricting the West Australian to just eight disposals, two goals and minimal impact on the result.

Geary was well supported in defence, with Sam Fisher manning Travis Cloke and Sean Dempster Darcy Moore in another dependable performance from the All Australian pair who just keep keeping on. And polished dashing defender continued his good start to the season with another impressive performance streaming out of defence.

St Kilda                  6.3   9.6   15.7   18.11 (119)
Collingwood          4.3   9.4   10.6   14.6 (90)    

GOALS
St Kilda: Weller 3, Steven 3, Riewoldt 2, Bruce 2, Gilbert 2, Billings 2, Sinclair, McCartin, Lonie, Armitage
Collingwood: Fasolo 2, Cloke 2, de Goey 2, Pendlebury 2, Howe, Aish, Crisp, Oxley, Langdon, Adams 

BEST
St Kilda: Montagna, Newnes, Billings, Steven, Dunstan, Geary, Ross

INJURIES
St Kilda: Riewoldt (concussion), McCartin (concussion), Roberton (knee)

Official crowd: 50,903 at the MCG

Limited Edition History Book: Celebrating 50 Years 1966-2016 The Archives Edition