A STRONG start to the match was not enough for Melbourne at the MCG on Friday night, with St Kilda dominating the second and third terms to record a solid 31-point victory - 13.15 (93) to 9.8 (62) - in the first game of the 2007 AFL season.
An eight-point quarter-time lead, after the Demons kicked the first three goals of the match, became a 10-point deficit at the main break. St Kilda then piled on 4.5 to just two points in the third quarter to turn for home with a daunting 37-point lead.
A goal in the first minute of the last term to skipper David Neitz raised Demon spirits - and their fans' hopes - and Melbourne scored three goals to two for the quarter, but it was too little, too late.
Neitz and Russell Robertson, who snared a classic goal just before half-time, each kicked three for the Demons. To compound the disappointment there were concerns over a foot injury to Brock McLean and a neck injury to Matthew Whelan.
Melbourne 17 Frees, STK 28
Goals: Robbo 3, Neitz 3, White, Green, Bruce