Oliver's brain fade
Goodwin made a statement after half-time, starting midfield gun Clayton Oliver on the bench after a costly brain fade. With 11 seconds left on the clock before the main break, Oliver dumped Saint Daniel McKenzie on the wing. It resulted in a 50m penalty, David Armitage slotting the major on the siren for a 15-point lead. Oliver had to wait eight minutes into the third term to return to the action and picked up just one possession for the quarter as the Jack Steele blanket continued.

SAINTS HOLD ON Full match coverage and stats

Where to now for Dees key forwards?
After the Demons managed a monstrous 69 inside 50s in a loss last week, Simon Goodwin went back to a three-pronged forward line and it didn't deliver. Sam Weideman failed to take his chances in front of goal, kicking two behinds from straightforward set shots in his first game since round eight. Tom McDonald spent most of the day as the deepest of the trio and had no impact, finishing with eight disposals and two marks. Jesse Hogan's lean run extended into a third week and was barely sighted in the first half, before three goals after the main break saved his day.

Veteran watch
Last week Bernie Vince proved the scapegoat for a lacklustre defensive display; this week the blowtorch will be put on fellow veteran Jordan Lewis' performance. He finished with 23 disposals, but several crucial moments exposed the former Hawk in his 296th AFL match. Early in the match Lewis picked up Jade Gresham, who floated forward after starting off the back of the square at centre bounces. A costly Lewis clanger from a kick out then ended in a St Kilda shot on goal before he was caught holding the ball deep in defence as Hunter Clark converted. In the third term Lewis missed a kick to Dom Tyson who watched on as Gresham's hot run continued with two goals in two minutes.

Richo's headaches
Nathan Brown's left hamstring injury will give Alan Richardson plenty to think about at the selection table ahead of a trip to face Port Adelaide. Irishman Darragh Joyce will have learnt plenty from his debut, playing a shutdown role on Melbourne's misfiring key talls alongside Jake Carlisle, who starred. Logan Austin may earn a reprieve after he was dropped, while Rowan Marshall picked up 24 disposals in the VFL. Marshall may also prove the answer to the Saints' ruck department, with Paddy McCartin and Josh Battle tried as Billy Longer's backup. Specialist coach Danny Frawley labelled McCartin a "human ruck bag" on SEN radio after Melbourne kicked three goals in four minutes in the second term as Longer rested.

GAMEBREAKER Gresham the great

Billings bounces back
St Kilda's pace caused Melbourne concerns on the wide expanses of the MCG with Jack Billings at the forefront of the charge. The 22-year-old played his best game of the year, his second match back in the side after he was dumped to the VFL in round 12. He recorded a career-high eight inside 50s and used the ball at 92 per cent efficiency from his 24 disposals. His run, along with Jade Gresham, Shane Savage and Jack Sinclair, helped the Saints to their highest score of the season.