ST KILDA is back in touch with the top eight but has work to do to break in after snapping a three-match losing streak with a 17-point win against North Melbourne in a scrappy clash at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

The Saints responded to their coach's demand for change and played a more attacking style, pressuring the Kangaroos and taking more risks on their way to a 12.17 (89) to 10.12 (72) win.

It was a crucial victory that squared their season at 6-6, but it came against a flat North Melbourne team that offered little resistance, with a wasteful St Kilda still unable to kill off its opponents until late.

Full match coverage and stats

After the Saints opened up a 42-point lead early in the fourth quarter, the Kangaroos came to life for a rare period on Friday night, kicking five late goals to cut the margin to a flattering 17 points.   

Brad Scott's men were otherwise listless and took a step backwards after what had looked to be the start of a mid-season revival following wins against Adelaide, Melbourne and Carlton.

Seb Ross was the star for the Saints, using the ball with the poise missing from so many others to finish with a game-high 32 possessions and five clearances in a best-on-ground performance.

He was well supported by veteran Leigh Montagna (28 possessions and four inside 50s) and Jack Sinclair (21, five clearances and a goal), while defender Dylan Roberton (22 and seven rebound 50s) was excellent. 

Half-forward Jack Billings produced a brilliant first half that netted two goals, with two more overruled on review once the ball was back in the centre.

Five talking points: North Melbourne v St Kilda

Coach Alan Richardson was concerned by the Saints' wastefulness in front of goal, including a 1.7 third term, but he saw enough in the performance to believe his team was back on track.

"It was positive that we played with a bit more dare and a bit more dash from the back and it definitely gave our forwards better looks," Richardson said.

"I think if we'd been able to convert some relatively easy shots we would have been in a healthier position.

"We knew the Kangaroos would come, and they did really strongly in the last quarter, but the first three quarters were really pleasing.

St Kilda defenders Nathan Brown and Jake Carlisle held tall pair Jarrad Waite and Ben Brown to a combined 2.4, with the Kangaroos' service to their forwards making life difficult.  

A shining light for North was the committed tagging job of Declan Mountford, who shadowed dynamic Saint Jack Steven and kept him to 16 possessions, although Steven bobbed up for back-to-back goals in the second quarter. 

After kicking just 2.6 in the first half – and 0.1 in the second quarter – Scott said the Kangaroos were flattered by the final margin.

"There's no shying away from the fact we made fundamental errors that allowed the opposition to score really easily … you don't score yourself and they score off the back of the indefensible," Scott said.

"I thought we didn't defend overly well throughout the night either, so in the end there's no question the scoreboard flattered us."

Richardson made his wish clear in the lead-up to Friday night's clash, declaring: "The message to the players is that we are really aggressive and bold in the way we play, the way we defend and the way that we attack".

The coach saw immediate results, with the Saints aggressive with their movement, particularly through Roberton, and tackling ferociously in the front half.

They built a 38-point lead at half-time and looked to be on their way to a percentage-boosting win before a scrappy second half that saw the skills of both teams disintegrate.

The Kangaroos suffered a blow 90 minutes before the match when important half-back Jamie Macmillan was withdrawn with hamstring tightness and replaced by Jed Anderson.

Macmillan leads the Kangaroos for metres gained this season and Anderson went statless in the first half, finishing with nine possessions, so it was a significant change.

Scott put the heat on ruckman Todd Goldstein to respond after a quiet fortnight and he was much-improved, finishing with 34 hit-outs, 17 possessions and a goal.

MEDICAL ROOM
North Melbourne: Jarrad Waite left the ground in the fourth quarter following a head knock, with Scott saying the forward was a bit dazed and taken from the field given the state of the game.   
St Kilda: Koby Stevens was collected by Jack Ziebell in a heavy collision and left the ground early in the second quarter nursing a sore shoulder. He was able to play on, however, and the Saints were not concerned. 

NEXT UP
The Saints are back at Etihad Stadium to take on Gold Coast next Sunday, with North Melbourne to face the Western Bulldogs at the same venue for the second time this season following a thrilling three-point loss in round four.


NORTH MELBOURNE  2.5   2.6   4.9   10.12 (72)
ST KILDA                   5.3   8.8   9.15  12.17 (89)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Clarke 2, Waite, Goldstein, Ziebell, Mullett, Hrovat, Wood, B.Brown, Turner
St Kilda: Billings 2, Steven 2, Membrey 2, Bruce 2, Roberton, Acres, Sinclair, Gresham 

BEST
North Melbourne: Goldstein, Cunnington, Mountford, Gibson, McDonald, Ziebell
St Kilda: Ross, Sinclair, Roberton, N.Brown, Montagna, Geary 

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Macmillan (hamstring tightness) replaced in selected side by Anderson, Waite (head) 
St Kilda: Dunstan (calf) 

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Fisher, Schmitt, Fleer, McInerney

Official crowd: 26,107 at Etihad Stadium