1. Friday night frights, again

St Kilda's banner predicted a 'Nightmare on Lygon Street' and, indeed, that's what eventuated. On Friday the 13th, the Blues dished up a horror show. You almost got a sense of what was to come inside 11 minutes. That's how long Carlton went without a single inside 50 to start the game. But the Blues' inability to strike any sort of rhythm going forward was matched only by the difficulty it faced defending in transition. Time after time, St Kilda had men streaming forward without an opponent as the Saints broke from defence. Then there were the skill errors. St Kilda's first six goals came from Carlton turnovers, with the Saints feasting on a series of mistakes from the Blues to lay the foundations for their thumping 64-point win. Carlton has now lost its last 13 straight Friday night fixtures, eight of them by more than 50 points. You doubt they'll see much of the prime-time slot next year.

2. Normality to resume for star Saint
Last year was a rarity, in the sense that Jack Steven didn't win St Kilda's best and fairest. But the guns Saints midfielder might make it four club champion awards in six years at the end of this season. Steven was again fantastic in St Kilda's thrashing of Carlton Friday night. Virtually the first to get his hands on the footy at every stoppage, the diminutive on-baller then went forward to also impact on the scoreboard. He finished with 33 disposals and two goals in what was arguably a best on ground performance. Nick Riewoldt's record of six Trevor Barker Awards might be in danger come the end of the 28-year-old's career.

WATCH Jack Steven steals the spotlight

Jack Steven celebrates a goal against the Blues on Friday night. Picture: AFL Photos

3. All eyes on McKay
It wasn't quite the night Carlton youngster Harry McKay might have envisaged on his return to the senior team. The talented forward was quickly thrust into the ruck when Matthew Kreuzer went down with injury in the first quarter. Rotating with a combination of Charlie Curnow, Patrick Cripps, Liam Jones and Sam Rowe, the 200cm McKay battled hard all night. He might have finished goalless, but he won 15 disposals and took seven marks. It came as St Kilda comprehensively won the ruck battle, with both Tom Hickey and Rowan Marshall dominant against Carlton's makeshift crew all night. 

MORE BLUE MISERY Full match coverage and stats

4. Marshall's form a good problem for Richo
With tall forwards Paddy McCartin, Josh Bruce and Josh Battle missing in action, Friday night represented a real chance for St Kilda youngster Rowan Marshall to impress in his natural position. Used down back in his most recent outing in the senior team against West Coast in round 11, Marshall went forward against the Blues on Friday night and demonstrated his talent. The 22-year-old finished with two goals from 16 disposals and eight marks, four of which were contested. He also rotated through the ruck to win 23 hit-outs. McCartin and Battle's return might be imminent, but Marshall has certainly given Alan Richardson something to think about.

5. Man of Steele matches Blues' bull
It's hard to keep Patrick Cripps down. Despite a heavy tag from Jack Steele, the Blues gun was just about the only Carlton player who could hold his head high after Friday night's massacre. Battling hard all night, Cripps won 35 disposals, 23 of which were contested, as well as 10 clearances. He also moved forward to kick a goal early in the match. But that's not to say Steele didn't have an impact going the other way. The Saints midfielder was also influential, winning 33 disposals and laying 10 tackles in an impressive performance.

Patrick Cripps and Jack Steele get acquainted with one another. Picture: AFL Photos