The 34,054 who turned up at Etihad Stadium for Monday night football witnessed a thriller that came out of nowhere, with Carlton turning the match on its head with a comeback that fell just short. Thirty-three points down at three-quarter time, the Blues had 11 consecutive inside 50s and kicked five straight goals in the final term to cut the margin to four points. St Kilda forward Ahmed Saad kicked a clutch goal on the run to ice a game that should never have ended up as close at it did. 

It started with Andrew Carrazzo's late withdrawal pre-game with calf tightness and it didn't stop until quarter time, with David Ellard (hamstring) substituted, Chris Yarran off the ground with a leg complaint and Michael Jamison (shoulder) battling on under duress. As the Blues attempted to shuffle players and keep their heads above water, St Kilda played the best football of its season, playing on at every opportunity and using the ball clinically. Down by 25 points at half-time, Carlton managed just 1.5 in the third quarter with its injury concerns telling.  

The football Nick Riewoldt has played to start this season is not far off the best off his 245-game career. Heading into Monday night's match, the five-time club champion had averaged 18 disposals and 10 marks, and his three goals against Carlton took his season tally to 21. He could do no wrong in the first half, but Michael Jamison responded courageously after the main break, taking the points thereafter with a clearly injured shoulder. He kept the Saints' skipper goalless (five marks) in the second half.    

One of Mick Malthouse's astute tactics this season has been the move of Andrew Walker to half-back where he has become the Blues' leading rebounding defender. The defensive duties didn't stop the high flyer, who was Carlton's leading goalkicker in 2011, from kicking a strong Goal of the Year contender. Eleven minutes into the match, Walker won the ball at half-back and took off, taking four bounces as he weaved though the middle of the ground, eventually launching from beyond 50m with his right foot. 

Carlton forward Jarrad Waite would have been wise to cut a low profile in the Blues' rooms post-match. Serving a one-match ban for misconduct after headbutting Melbourne youngster Tom McDonald last Sunday, his absence proved costly at Etihad Stadium. Kicking just 9.14 - its lowest score for the season - Carlton was crying out for a strong forward target, particularly in the first half before Lachie Henderson stood up. Playing together for the first time this season, Matthew Kreuzer (six disposals and no goals), Shaun Hampson (nine and one) and Robbie Warnock (42 hit-outs) weren't effective as a trio.