In this must-win clash between Melbourne 11th on the ladder and St Kilda 8th, it was the Demons who were in front all day to win in a hard-fought Round 8 clash to make it three in a row to keep theit slim finals chances alive.
A good crowd of enthusiastic footy families for week 2 of Pride Round had gathered. The full pews in the well-appointed RSEA Park grandstand provided excellent viewing.
The Saints won the toss and elected to kick to the southern end favoured by a strong 2-3 goal breeze.
Melbourne started brilliantly against the wind with Hanks and Hore dominating clearances from the middle.
The Demons early pressure created opportunities for goals via Alyssa Bannan and Georgia Campbell.
One of the welcome returning soldiers, Eden Zanker, then made it 3 goals to nil.
In the second quarter St Kilda amped up their pressure and getting on top and causing the Demons into turnovers.
Superstar full forward Jessie Wardlaw kicked 2 second quarter goals making Tahlia Gillard nervous.
From here to the end was a really a tightly fought battle and the Saints got to within 2 points during the 3rd quarter.
The Demons had many contributors and were able to hang tough for a well-earned 14-point win.
Players were visibly tired in the last quarter having played 3 matches in 11 days.
The scheduling by the AFL of 11 matches in 10 weeks has been widely criticised. Note to the AFL: do not repeat this fixture.
For the Dees
Tyla Hanks (8 coaches votes) and Kate Hore (8 votes) led from the middle and were sensational all day. Hanksy had 22 disposals and 12 clearances while Kate had 21 possessions and 11 tackles.
Eliza McNamara (6 votes) had a PB 31 possessions. Mick Stinear later highlighted her growth this year and particularly her contest work.
Liv Purcell really made an impression in her first game of Season 2024.
Dressed up like a superhero in a custom-fitted face mask, Liv was her typically fearless self. With 15 possessions, 4 tackles and a goal it was an impressive return.
The other injury returns settled well with Paxy busy and Eden Zanker kicking 2 goals.
The dangerous Saint mid Jaimee Lambert had won 10 coaches votes in her previous game. Heathy was moved to her at start the second quarter and Lambert just 2 disposals by half-time.
Sinead Goldrick earned 8 coaches votes for her sublime match versus Adelaide 4 days earlier and Goldie backed it up with another solid game on Sunday.
Special mention to Megan Fitzsimon who smashed her personal record for total disposals by having 19 against the Saints. Her previous best was 15 in last year’s Qualifying Final. Fitzy is having a great season.
Coaches and next week
Melbourne Coach Mick Stinear said his team has let go of expectations for this season and they just want to play good footy together.
He praised the leadership of Kate Hore and Tyla Hanks over the past few weeks.
The three players returning from injury played with intensity which was really pleasing.
Encouragingly he said Lauren Pearce and Blaithin Mackin are not far away either.
Nick Dal Santo felt Melbourne won the clearances and contested possessions which was probably the difference.
The Demons next play Richmond at Casey Fields on Saturday and then Hawthorn in Cairns the following Thursday. Two more really tough matches coming up against teams currently sitting in the eight.
Our draw has been ridiculously hard.
Go Dees.
MELBOURNE 2.0.12 4.2.26 5.4.34 6.8.44
ST KILDA 0.0.0 2.0.12 4.0.24 5.0.30
GOALS
MELBOURNE Zanker 2 Bannan Campbell Goldrick Purcell
ST KILDA Wardlaw 3 Guttridge Richards
BEST
MELBOURNE Hanks McNamara Hore Purcell Zanker
ST KILDA Wardlaw Watson Trudgeon Smith Jakobsson
INJURIES
MELBOURNE Nil
ST KILDA Nil
REPORTS
MELBOURNE Nil
ST KILDA Nil
CROWD 3,073 at RSEA Park
