SUMMARY
This contest is sure to be entertaining. St Kilda and Melbourne both play an aggressive style and like to move the ball quickly. The Demons will need to disregard any mental hurdles they may have about facing the Saints, having been on the losing end on 13 straight occasions. Furthermore, Melbourne's record at Etihad Stadium is abysmal. If Nick Riewoldt is once again allowed to run amok, St Kilda will be hard to stop. He racked up 24 disposals, 14 marks and three goals in his last effort against the Demons, while Tim Membrey registered five goals. However, the Saints were atrocious with their ball use in a narrow victory versus Essendon last week and if they don't rectify that issue, Melbourne will likely walk away with the win.
The Nick Riewoldt-Tom McDonald match-up could be pivotal. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday, July 17, 3.20PM AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R6, 2016, St Kilda 20.15 (135) d Melbourne 15.6 (96) at Etihad Stadium
R17, 2015, St Kilda 12.11 (83) d Melbourne 6.10 (46) at the MCG
R11, 2015, St Kilda 12.13 (85) d Melbourne 12.11 (83) at Etihad Stadium
R1, 2014, St Kilda 10.8 (68) d Melbourne 6.15 (51) at Etihad Stadium
R13, 2013, St Kilda 16.8 (104) d Melbourne 10.9 (69) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. After leading by 12 points at the main break, St Kilda booted eight goals to three in the third term of the round six clash against Melbourne. Jesse Hogan slotted seven goals for the Demons.
2. The Saints have won consecutive games twice this season, while the Demons have done it just once.
3. St Kilda has won the past 13 contests against Melbourne, with the Demons' last win coming in the 2006 elimination final.
4. Melbourne has won only one of its past 24 matches at Etihad Stadium.
5. Both teams win a lot of uncontested ball with St Kilda ranked third and Melbourne fifth.
6. St Kilda's Jack Steven and Melbourne pair Tom McDonald and Max Gawn were the top three scorers in the Schick AFL Player Ratings last week.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR…
Tom McDonald. He was fantastic with 31 disposals against Fremantle last week but St Kilda has multiple tall options in Nick Riewoldt, Josh Bruce and Tim Membrey. McDonald will need to be at his best to limit the Saints' scoring.
PREDICTION: St Kilda by 14 points.
