St Kilda reigned supreme on Saturday afternoon with a 22-man performance and 40-point win.
Naming the best players at St Kilda is getting tougher by the week thanks to a team-first mantra that sees the Saints’ depth coming to the fore.
The Demons poked their noses in front at the start of the second term, before Alan’s Richardson’s men responded with eight straight goals.
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Tim Membrey led the charge up forward with four majors, while Dean Kent was equally prolific with three goals and 20 disposals against his old side.
The inked duo kicked almost half of St Kilda’s score (15.5), which was their side’s highest score for the year.
The Saints’ hunt for the footy was unparalleled in the four-quarter performance, as too was their intensity around the contest, unyielding pressure and refusal to give the Dees an inch.
In typical fashion, Jack Steele was St Kilda’s leading tackler (eight tackles) for the third consecutive week and was complemented brilliantly by runners Jack Newnes (23 disposals, 529 metres gained), Jade Gresham (23) and Seb Ross (27) all afternoon.
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But it was Jack Billings who was arguably the standout through the middle, with his 28 disposals and two goals cementing his consistent start to the season.
Even with Max Gawn’s ascendancy in the ruck, the Saints’ engine room refused to give the Demons time and space to create scoring opportunities.
When the ball did go forward for Melbourne, St Kilda’s defence was there to thwart their attack.
Shane Savage racked up 28 disposals as he took ownership of the backline, while Ben Paton shone with 23 touches and three tackles alongside Callum Wilkie, who put together an influential eight-mark and 17-disposal performance.
St Kilda will channel their growing momentum into next Saturday’s clash with Adelaide at Marvel Stadium.