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Melbourne kept its finals hopes alive with a hard-fought win over St Kilda at the MCG after having to fend off a big Saints surge.
Our Inside Football experts take a look at the individual performances of each player...
MELBOURNE – 14.12 (96)
Angus BRAYSHAW – 7
Excellent on return from multiple concussions. Copped a hard early knock but got up and marked well.
Jeff GARLETT – 4
Quiet for long periods but came alive in the final term when the Dees needed.
Max GAWN – 6
Outdone in the ruck duels by Longer, but looked dangerous when floating forward.
Mitch HANNAN – 5
Unsighted early but came alive with two big marks and goals in the final quarter to steady the ship.
James HARMES – 7
Three first term goals gave the Dees the perfect start. Drifted out of the game for a while, but then handy late.
Michael HIBBERD – 7
Bounced back after a down week to provide great drive off half back.
Jayden HUNT – 7
Blinding speed of half back in the first term helped set the tone. Always looked to take the game on.
Neville JETTA – 7
Did his job again in the back half without much fuss.
Nathan JONES – 8
Big opening term paved the way in midfield. Worked hard throughout around the stoppages.
Jordan LEWIS – 8
Did what Melbourne brought him to the club to do – have a cool head under pressure. Had a big say in the result.
Oscar MCDONALD – 6
Mixed and matched down back and generally did a solid job. Played with poise.
Tom MCDONALD – 7
Used in defence with Frost being out and was good at patrolling space – especially early on. Took some good marks.
Jake MELKSHAM – 6
Bobbed up with his two goals once again and was also deployed across half back.
Alex NEAL-BULLEN – 5
Influential in opening burst, then played in patches. Had 24 touches in the end and a few assists.
Clayton OLIVER – 7
On fire in first 10 minutes, then Steele and Dunstan put the brakes on for a while. Important clearance work in final term.
Cameron PEDERSEN – 8
One of his best games for the Dees in attack and the ruck. 26 possessions, eight marks and two goals.
Had little impact at half forward until some key efforts in the final term that were vital.
Dom TYSON – 6
Did his bit without starring in midfield. Goal on the run in first term was a positive – needs to kick more.
Bernie VINCE – 6
Marshalled the back half fairly well and used the ball smartly most times.
Jack VINEY – 6
Burrowed in around the contests and tried to drive the ball forward. Five clearances and 12 contested possessions.
Josh WAGNER – 4
Had a few iffy moments, but used his left foot well at stages.
Sam WEIDEMAN – 2
Competed in the air but wasn’t really a factor with Carlisle dropping off him.
ST KILDA – 10.12 (72)
Blake ACRES – 4
Burst through a few tackles to give the Saints some life, but one of many to be inefficient by foot.
Jack BILLINGS – 7
One of the Saints best despite playing most of the game with one eye closed over.
Nathan BROWN – 5
Did his job fairly well down back, but Pedersen did get away from him at stages.
Josh BRUCE – 3
Quiet game in attack with just the one major. Took a great hanger in the third term.
Jake CARLISLE – 7
Dropped off Weideman to control the air in the back half. Was thrown forward at times and provided a contest.
Luke DUNSTAN – 6
Two goals from midfield was a good return, but was left flat-footed early on. Fought back.
Jarryn GEARY – 7
Had Garlett’s measure for much of the day until the little Dee bobbed up late.
Sam GILBERT – 6
Effort was excellent and continued to drive the Saints forward. Kicked at just 50 percent though.
Jade GRESHAM – 3
Allowed Hunt to torch him in the first term going the other way. Got better but had just two effective kicks.
Billy LONGER – 8
Got the better of Gawn in the ruck and frustrated the Demons big man. Tired a bit late.
Tim MEMBREY – 5
Starved for opportunities early on, but was important in the St Kilda revival. Ended with two goals.
Jack NEWNES – 5
Used the ball well overall and had 20 touches, but was super noticeable.
Dylan ROBERTON – 6
Intercepted well at stages at half back and ended with 27 touches. Good but not his best.
Sebastian ROSS – 4
Butchered the ball by foot for most of the day and was unable to match it in close with Dees midfielders.
Shane SAVAGE – 5
Had 26 touches, but lacked impact off half back.
Jack SINCLAIR – 6
Didn’t use the ball as well as his typically does, but was a good worker in midfield.
Jack STEELE – 7
Went to Oliver after his hot start and negated him for a while. His hard work helped get the Saints back in the game.
Jack STEVEN – 4
Quiet first half, then burst to life in the third term. Drifted out again late. Has to be better.
Koby STEVENS – 1
Injured early in collision with Brayshaw and played no further part.
Jimmy WEBSTER – 4
Allowed Dees half forwards too much room early, then gave Hannan space in first term at key times.
Maverick WELLER – 4
Did a few good things, but didn’t hurt Melbourne much.
Brandon WHITE – 3
Just 10 touches in defence and wasn’t really a factor.