St Kilda has made it two in a row at the MCG, defeating Collingwood by nine points.
St Kilda did what it had to against a Collingwood line-up that kicked one goal in the first half before storming home to boot five (to none) in the last quarter and give Brett Ratten's side a fright that the drop-off to the Crows might be about to reoccur.
The Saints' contributors were evenly spread. Midfield tyros Jack Steele (36 disposals, 14 tackles, eight clearances), Luke Dunstan (27) and Brad Crouch (28) were important, as was Bradley Hill off half-back with 30 touches.
Taylor Adams (34 disposals) and Jordan De Goey (32 disposals, 1.2) were Collingwood's best in what was an uninspiring showing until its final-term flurry.
St Kilda grew into the game after a lacklustre start, dominating possession and inside 50s in the first quarter (15 to nine) to take an 11-point lead into quarter-time. Hill was especially prolific, having 14 disposals in the opening term to bring plenty of run out of defence.
SAINTS MATCH CENTRE: View all news, stats and videos from Round 16
Max King's set shot was the only goal of the second term, when De Goey missed two straight kicks at goal that could have reduced the 18-point deficit at half-time.
St Kilda conceded only one goal for the half as the Magpies struggled to push forward with any certainty.
The Saints skipped clear in the third, with Tim Membrey's quick goal foreshadowing a run of majors from key targets Rowan Marshall, King and then Patrick Ryder. The Saints' height inside 50 was too much to handle for Collingwood, who broke a two-quarter drought without a goal at the 20-minute mark of the third term as De Goey's third shot was successful.
Ryder again hit the scoreboard late in the quarter as the Saints took a 43-point advantage into the final term. The game looked over but Collingwood freed itself up to take things on as the Saints missed an important chance to recoup some percentage.
COLLINGWOOD 1.2 1.5 3.7 8.13 (61)
ST KILDA 3.1 4.5 10.8 10.10 (70)
GOALS
Collingwood: Mihocek 2, Cox, Daicos, De Goey, Elliott, Hoskin-Elliott, Thomas
St Kilda: King 2, Membrey 2, Ryder 2, Butler, Higgins, Marshall, McKenzie
BEST
Collingwood: Adams, De Goey, Pendlebury, Daicos, Quaynor
St Kilda: Steele, Hill, Dunstan, Crouch, Sinclair, Membrey
INJURIES
Collingwood: Daicos (finger)
St Kilda: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Macrae (replaced Daicos)
St Kilda: Battle (unused)
Crowd: 18,082 at the MCG
