Summary

A cracking day for the footy club – and a proud day to wear red and blue. Not only did Melbourne produce a critical win to jump back into the top eight, it did so in front of more than 53,000 people, which included thousands of new fans for the first time, as part of ‘The Welcome Game’. The match had everything – Melbourne jumped out of the blocks to lead by 32 points at quarter-time, which effectively set-up the win. But to St Kilda’s credit, it hit back hard, coming back from a 40-point deficit to get within four points early in the final term. But when Melbourne steadied to kick four of the last five goals, it won by 24 points. Melbourne’s season is well and truly alive and its destiny is in its own hands.

The stat

Melbourne landed nine scores to two (6.3 to 1.1) in the opening term, which was significant in the result. The Dees booted the first four majors of the game, before the Saints opened their account at the 17-minute mark via Josh Bruce. But when Cam Pedersen kicked his first of two after the quarter-time siren, the Demons were up by more than six goals.

Leather poisoning

Co-captain Nathan Jones had a game-high 35 disposals, while teammate Clayton Oliver was next best with 32. Jack Billings had the most for the Saints with 30 touches.

The number

Melbourne has now won 11 matches for the season – its best effort since its most recent finals appearance in 2006, when it won 13 games in the home and away season and 14 overall, including the second elimination final win over St Kilda. It reinforces the strides taken this season under coach Simon Goodwin.

Experience differential

Games: Melbourne (1986) v St Kilda (1938)

Goals: Melbourne (1121) v St Kilda (830)

Average age: Melbourne (24 years, 323 days) v St Kilda (24 years, 250 days)

Did you know …

The MCG crowd of 53,115 people was the fifth best home and away attendance for a Melbourne and St Kilda game – and the eighth largest overall between the two sides. It was an outstanding achievement, given they have played 212 VFL/AFL matches against each other since they were foundation clubs in 1897.

3 votes: Cam Pedersen

Pedersen’s 58th game for Melbourne – his 74th AFL match overall – was possibly his best for the club. Played up forward and in the ruck and won career-best disposals (26) and kicked two critical goals. Was involved in 11 scoring involvements, took eight mark and laid nine tackles. His contested and uncontested work was excellent.

2 votes: Nathan Jones  

The co-captain produced one of his best games for season and backed up his 35 disposals against the Saints in round one with another 35 touches against them on the weekend. Won 14 disposals in the first term and was pivotal in helping set up Melbourne’s win. It was a top performance given it was his second match back from injury.

1 vote: James Harmes

Like Jones, backed up his round one performance against St Kilda with another fine performance against it this time around, Harmes was dynamic in the first term – and was somewhat of a matchwinner – with three goals and a brilliant hanger over Saint Jake Carlisle. He finished with 21 touches and a game-high seven inside 50s.  

Submit your 3-2-1 votes to the Hertz Fans’ MVP

Apologies to …

Angus Brayshaw, Clayton Oliver, Jordan Lewis, Michael Hibberd, Tom McDonald and Alex Neal-Bullen … who all could’ve gained a vote.

Good to see …

Two big ticks this week. Big congratulations to Angus Brayshaw, who made an outstanding comeback with an equal career-high 26 disposals. Took a heavy hit early in the game and bounced back to play possibly his finest AFL game. Given it was just his third AFL game this season – and first since round two – it was a fine effort to return, after overcoming some serious concussion setbacks. Great to see ya back Gus! And another big tick to some unsung Melbourne players – who not only played their role, but to a critical level – in James Harmes (three goals), Mitch Hannan (two), Jake Melksham (two) and Cam Pedersen (one), who collectively booted nine of Melbourne’s 14 goals.  

Oppo’s best: Jack Billings

Billings was a standout for the Saints, winning 30 disposals and taking an equal game-high nine marks, along with Demon Alex Neal-Bullen. Laid six tackles and kicked 1.3. Now in his fourth AFL season, the 21-year-old, who was selected at No.3 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, has played 62 games for St Kilda and looms as a 10-year-plus player.

Matty Goodrope’s pic of the day

Instagram of the day

Welcome back, Gus! #WelcomeGame

A post shared by Melbourne Football Club (@melbournefc) on



Tweet of the day



Video of the day

In the mix

A winning side could be hard to change, despite the fact Jack Watts, Christian Salem (depending on how a report in the VFL fares) and Sam Frost are waiting in the wings. The trio was left out of the side for the St Kilda clash – the first time this year all three have been omitted. Corey Maynard, who made his AFL debut against GWS Giants in Canberra in round 20, was a carryover emergency against the Saints and will again be around the mark. Billy Stretch, Ben Kennedy, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Jack Trengove and Declan Keilty are others who impressed for Casey Demons and keep pushing their claims. Key forward Jesse Hogan (shoulder) remains sidelined.

Next round

Although Melbourne’s final two home and away matches are at the MCG – it plays Collingwood in round 23 – the red and blue will host its final home game of the season this Sunday, when it plays the Brisbane Lions. On paper, Melbourne will enter as favourites, but it will not – and cannot – take this game lightly, even though the Lions are on the bottom of the ladder. Against the Gold Coast Suns last Saturday, the Lions produced a stunning 58-point victory, kicking their highest score since round 17, 2007. The Lions are building nicely for the future, with some exciting young talent in their team, while they have some outstanding senior players in their team, such as Dayne Beams, Stefan Martin and Tom Rockliff. Interestingly, the Lions are technically the best bottom of the ladder team since they won five games and finished last in 1998. This game is massive for Melbourne as it keeps striving for September and after impressing against the Saints, the red and blue should take some momentum, confidence and purpose into the match.

In the press box …

Which former star of the game was overheard saying a Melbourne speedster reminded him of himself as a player?

In the rooms ...

The rooms were buzzing after the win. And Christian Petracca was king of the kids. At one stage, Kyree Jetta, the son of Melbourne defender Neville, was having a shoulder ride on Petracca. He’s a ripper with the youngsters.

Song to sum up match

Welcome to the Club – Nat King Cole

Simon Says …

“We, as a club, wanted to be in this position where we had this opportunity. We've got that and the challenge now is to really step up as a footy club.” – Simon Goodwin