For the third time since 2007 Melbourne (1-10) has a caretaker coach with Demon fans hoping the players will rally under Neil Craig for the remainder of the season. As unlikely as a win appears on Saturday, competitiveness and an end the blowout defeats is what Demon fans want. Not for the first time this year, St Kilda (2-9) comes up against a team under the spotlight. There were encouraging signs in the round 11 loss to West Coast and the Saints should emerge refreshed after their bye. Saturday presents an opportunity for them to build some confidence.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday June 22, 4.40pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
LAST FIVE TIMES
R20, 2012, St Kilda 16.11 (107) d Melbourne 12.10 (82) at the MCG
R5, 2012, St Kilda 12.12 (84) d Melbourne 10.6 (66) at the MCG
R9, 2011, St Kilda 16.10 (106) d Melbourne 13.8 (86) at Etihad Stadium
R14, 2010, St Kilda 15.10 (100) d Melbourne 9.11 (65) at Etihad Stadium
R22, 2009, St Kilda 17.12 (114) d Melbourne 10.7 (67) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. St Kilda won both its clashes against Melbourne last season, by 25 points and 18 points. Nick Dal Santo (round five) and Beau Maister (round 20) received three Brownlow Medal votes in each.
2. The Saints have dominated the Demons recently winning the past eight contests, a club record. Melbourne's last win was in the 2006 elimination final at the MCG. The Demons have played one final since, while the Saints have played 11.
3. Star Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt enjoys an impressive record against Melbourne kicking 41 goals in 13 games including a career high nine in round 15, 2004.
4. This will be the third time since 2007 that the Demons have had a caretaker senior coach. In 2007 they won their first game under the new coach, but in 2011 they were losers.
5. No team averages fewer disposals in 2013 than Melbourne, ranked last with 306.3 a game. St Kilda is ranked 14th. Melbourne averages just 65 points a game in 2013 compared to St Kilda's 81.
6. Nick Dal Santo has been on a steady decline in the Official AFL Player Ratings, dropping from No.13 overall in round one to No.33. He has been replaced by Jack Steven as the club's No.1 ranked player and is the competition's No.28 ranked midfielder.
