Full match stats and coverage
Nick Riewoldt leaves the field with an apparent calf injury
Nick Riewoldt has injured his hamstringNick Riewoldt has left the game after injuring himself. #NABChallenge
Posted by AFL on Saturday, March 12, 2016
WHAT WE LEARNED
Melbourne: Melbourne fans will have to live with mistakes as the club tries to perfect a more attacking game style. The success of switch kicks deep in defence was variable but when they came off, Melbourne moved the ball efficiently. The Demons have good young bookends in Jesse Hogan (although he made some uncharacteristic errors) and Tom McDonald, Max Gawn and Jack Watts are improving and their youngsters have promise. Jeff Garlett is also the most underrated small forward in the AFL and they should provide Greater Western Sydney with some headaches.
St Kilda: The experienced core will be better for the run with Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Jarryn Geary and David Armitage improving as the game went on. Jack Billings looks set to take another step this season. He is clean, makes good decisions and can find the goals and Jack Lonie looks a similar type. Tom Hickey needs to improve his ruck work although the Saints are fond of using a third man up around the ground. If Dylan Roberton can clean up his kicking to support the experienced defenders around him the Saints should become harder to score against.
NEW FACES
Melbourne: Tom Bugg is an antagonist with the ability to distract opposition players. He was at his annoying best on Sunday but he also has courage and wins the ball. He took a spectacular mark and kicked a goal and looks a certain starter in round one, as does Clayton Oliver after an excellent NAB Challenge series. Ben Kennedy's pre-season has put him in the frame for round one and he contributed in the midfield in the last quarter but he still has plenty of room for improvement. Rookie Josh Wagner struggled deep in defence against St Kilda but the pre-season experience will help his development. Oscar McDonald played two senior games last year and looks set for another development year.
St Kilda: Jade Gresham dropped a chest mark in the goalsquare, denying himself a certain goal but he knows how to find space and will only improve. He has a mature enough body to play early. Blake Acres gave away an undisciplined 50m penalty and looks a little shaky on his non-preferred foot but he has courage, is a good size and is balanced so with perseverance he will be handy. Jack Billings looks set for a breakout season while Luke Dunstan is similarly poised. Jason Holmes has a good leap but needs to do more around the ground while Tim Membrey did not have much of an influence.
NEXT UP
Melbourne faces a tough test against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG on Easter Saturday but the game should give a good indication of Melbourne's improvement. St Kilda goes to Adelaide Oval to take on Port Adelaide on Easter Sunday. It's a big assignment for the Saints, given they missed one NAB Challenge game.
MELBOURNE 0.4.1 0.8.5 0.11.12 1.14.14 (107)
ST KILDA 0.4.5 0.6.7 9.10.0 0.12.11 (83)
NAB SUPERGOALS
Melbourne: Salem
St Kilda: Nil
GOALS
Melbourne: Garlett 3, Watts 2, Oliver 2, Kent 2, Hogan 2, Kennedy, Pedersen, Bugg
St Kilda: Billings 3, Bruce 2, Armitage, Montagna, Hickey, Steven, Newnes, Weller, Dunstan
BEST
Melbourne: Bugg, Jones, Gawn, Tom McDonald, Garlett, Tyson, Salem
St Kilda: Steven, Billings, Armitage, Montagna, Newnes, Fisher, Geary
INJURIES
Melbourne: Jetta (leg), Matt Jones (concussion)
St Kilda: Riewoldt (calf)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, Pannell, Fisher
Official crowd: 8621 at Etihad Stadium