ST KILDA has bounced back to smash a disappointing Melbourne by 79 points at Telstra Dome.
The final score was 19.15 (129) to 7.8 (50) with former Swan Adam Schneider the star up forward with five goals.
And in worse news for Melbourne, key forward Russell Robertson going down with a serious Achilles injury.
Robertson was unable to put any weight on his leg and had to be helped from the field in the third quarter. He had kicked just one goal for the day.
He was taken down the race and initial reports aired on radio suggested that Robertson would miss the rest of the 2008 season.
Brock McLean was another casualty with a suspected broken nose while Lynden Dunn finished the match with ice on his calf.
The Demons also came close to an unwanted record, equalling the second lowest ever three quarter time score (24 points) at Telstra Dome.
But it was all good news for the Saints who started superbly and leapt to a 20-point quarter time lead.
Their superiority at the clearances was the key factor and they were well ahead in the tackle count as well.
Running defenders Jason Gram and Sam Fisher were in everything, providing the zing which was sadly missing last Sunday at the Gabba.
By half time they had stretched their lead to 44 points and then held the Demons goalless in the third term.
The three quarter time margin was an even 10 goals.
Melbourne came out in a more attacking frame of mind in the final term and managed to grab a bit of respect on the scoreboard. Adem Yze kicked three goals for the Dees.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or the clubs.
MATCH DETAILS
ST KILDA: 5.4, 10.6, 12.12, 19.15 (129)
MELBOURNE : 2.2, 3.4, 3.6, 7.8 (50)
GOALS:
St Kilda: Schneider 5, Milne 3, Birss 2, Koschitzke 2, Riewoldt, Dal Santo, Gram, Ball, Jones, Montagna, Dempster
Melbourne : Yze 3, Dunn, Robertson, Sylvia, Bruce
BEST:
St Kilda: Ball, Fisher, Gram, Dal Santo, Goddard, Montagna, Riewoldt
Melbourne : McDonald, McLean, Bruce, Warnock, Garland
INJURIES:
St Kilda: Nil
Melbourne: Robertson (achilles), Dunn (calf)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Stewart, Head
Official crowd: 27,854 at Telstra Dome
