Match

Melbourne vs St Kilda

Commentary / 01 Jul 2018

Pre Game

00:00
The Saints have taken a mark and immediately played on 36 percent of the time this season, (the highest percentage recorded by any team), but has averaged only 14.3 metres per disposal this season, (the lowest rate recorded by any team).

Quarter 1

00:00
Q1 is now underway.
01:13
The early exchanges are being played in the forward half of the Demons. Melbourne is the No.1 ranked team for time in forward half differential this season.
03:12
Melbourne has generated the first five inside 50 entries of the game on the back of three early intercept marks. The Demons average just 14 intercept marks per game this season.
04:10
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Bayley Fritsch)
04:43
Melbourne has already generated six forward half intercepts which have produced both of its scores. The Demons average 29 such intercepts (ranked second), and 32 points from these opportunities (ranked fifth).
06:17
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Angus Brayshaw)
06:38
Another slow start for the Saints today who are ranked last this season for points differential in the opening ten minutes of games.
10:00
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Angus Brayshaw)
10:08
A pair of early goals to Angus Brayshaw who is averaging career-highs for disposals (26), score involvements (six), clearances (three) and contested possessions (nine) in a breakout season.
11:26
SCORE BEHIND - Saints (Josh Battle)
12:09
Two set shot at goal misses for St Kilda who has had problems all season with accuracy in front of goal. The Saints have converted only 50 percent of their set shots at goal (ranked last, and the AFL average is 60 percent).
13:35
SCORE BEHIND - Saints (Josh Battle)
13:57
Darragh Joyce is making his debut today for the Saints. Joyce has averaged 14 disposals, seven intercept possessions and four spoils in nine VFL games this season.
14:26
SCORE GOAL - Saints (Paddy McCartin)
15:04
The first goal for the Saints was sourced from a forward half intercept. St Kilda averages a competition-low 19 points per game from this source.
16:00
SCORE GOAL - Saints (Tim Membrey)
16:24
The second goal for the Saints came from a centre bounce clearance. St Kilda is ranked fourth in centre bounce clearance differential, but ranked third last in scoring differential from this source.
19:14
Harrison Petty on debut today for the Demons has averaged 11 disposals, two intercept marks and seven intercept possessions in his ten VFL games this season.
19:52
SCORE GOAL - Saints (Paddy McCartin)
20:24
Three goals in a row to the Saints who have now scored 2.2.(14) from stoppages while the Demons have not scored from this source.
22:40
In the last ten minutes, the Saints lead 14-7 in contested possessions. Melbourne is the No.1 ranked team for contested possession differential this season.
23:38
SCORE GOAL - Saints (Jade Gresham)
23:59
A clever piece of play from Gresham to capitalise on a downfield free kick makes it four goals in a row to the Saints. The Demons have scored 29 goals directly from a free kick this season (ranked first).
26:16
SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Jake Melksham)
26:35
The Saints have generated seven scores from just the nine inside 50 entries in the opening quarter. This season St Kilda has scored from only 40 percent of its forward 50 entries (ranked third last).
27:54
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Alex Neal-Bullen)
28:14
Melbourne has already scored 3.2.(20) from 12 forward half intercepts, with the Saints having some difficulty clearing the ball from their defensive half.
31:03
While Melbourne had more inside 50s, St Kilda leads 14-13 in forward 50 disposals indicating the Demons have not been as efficient with their entries.

Quarter 2

00:00
Q2 is now underway.
00:59
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Bayley Fritsch)
01:45
An early goal in the second quarter to Bayley Fritsch who now has kicked 13 goals in his debut season while averaging 17 disposals and recording an elite kicking efficiency.
02:43
SCORE GOAL - Saints (Shane Savage)
04:24
SCORE BEHIND - Saints (Paddy McCartin)
05:48
The Demons have had some troubles with opposition key forwards in recent times, and Paddy McCartin has made an impressive start today with four score involvements including three shots at goal.
06:14
SCORE BEHIND - Saints (Paddy McCartin)
07:25
Saints Interchange - Josh Battle off due to an injury.
07:39
Max Gawn has contributed all five of the contested marks taken by the Demons, and leads his team for contested possessions (eight) and intercept possessions (four).
08:03
SCORE GOAL - Saints (Tim Membrey)
08:53
Both of the St Kilda goals this quarter have come from forward half intercepts. The Saints have now scored 3.1.(19) from 11 such intercepts, which already eclipses their season average from this source.
09:45
SCORE GOAL - Saints (Jade Gresham)
10:54
Seven of the last nine goals now to St Kilda who continue to pick holes in the Melbourne defensive structure. The Saints have retained possession from 76 percent of their forward 50 entries, while the Demons have a 48 percent retention rate.
12:24
SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Sam Weideman)
13:33
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Tom McDonald)
13:49
A valuable goal to Tom McDonald following another forward half intercept by the Demons (and Max Gawn). The contested mark he took was the first of the day by a Demon other than Gawn who has taken six such marks.
15:24
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Christian Petracca)
15:44
Consecutive goals to the Demons with the Petracca snap, and the first of the day to Melbourne from a stoppage. Melbourne averages 15 points per game from forward half stoppages (ranked fourth).
17:28
SCORE GOAL - Demons (James Harmes)
18:40
In the last ten minutes, the Demons have won the contested possession count 12-6 and kicked three goals to nil during this period.
21:20
St Kilda currently lead 9-7 in forward 50 marks. The Saints average only ten such marks per game this season.
22:10
SCORE GOAL - Saints (Hunter Clark)
22:19
An accurate set shot from the very impressive Hunter Clark makes it 5.3.(33) from set shots for the Saints today after missing a couple of early chances.
24:03
SCORE GOAL - Saints (Jack Steele)
24:10
The Demons have added to their own challenges today by conceding four goals from either free kicks or 50-metre penalties. St Kilda has not conceded any goals from this source.
26:41
St Kilda averages 16 points from defensive 50 chains this season, and has already scored 3.1.(19) from these chains today.
28:00
SCORE BEHIND - Saints (Rushed)
28:35
For the third time today St Kilda has now scored three consecutive goals. Melbourne has had trouble disrupting the ball movement of the Saints and currently trails 5-20 in spoils.
30:10
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Dom Tyson)
33:24
SCORE GOAL - Saints (David Armitage)
33:29
Both teams have been effective at scoring from forward half intercepts already above their season average. Melbourne has scored 5.2.(32) from 19 such intercepts, while St Kilda has scored 4.2.(26) from 12 forward half intercepts.

Quarter 3

00:00
Q3 is now underway.
00:29
The Demons have won 35 percent of their offensive one-on-one contests this season (ranked first). Today the Saints lead 5-3 in one-on-one contest wins.
02:30
A second goal to James Harmes courtesy of a goal review, and the Demons have now kicked the opening goal in each quarter today.
04:45
SCORE BEHIND - Saints (Jack Steven)
05:03
St Kilda has now scored 5.2.(32) from 37 defensive half chains, while Melbourne has scored 2.0.(12) from 18 defensive half chains.
05:26
Saints Interchange - Nathan Brown and is possibly out for the game.
06:01
SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Sam Weideman)
07:39
SCORE BEHIND - Saints (Tim Membrey)
09:38
In an indication of the spread of forward options, both teams have nine different players who have taken a mark in the forward 50. The Saints now lead 13-9 in forward 50 marks.
09:56
SCORE BEHIND - Saints (Paddy McCartin)
11:52
SCORE GOAL - Saints (Jade Gresham)
11:58
The dangerous Jade Gresham now has three goals, and Paddy McCartin has a game-high (and personal season-high) eight score involvements.
13:29
SCORE GOAL - Saints (Jade Gresham)
13:43
Gresham continuing to cause problems with four typically crafty goals. St Kilda has generated both goals this quarter from midfield intercepts, and has generated an inside 50 entry from all four midfield chains.
15:07
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Jesse Hogan)
16:50
SCORE GOAL - Saints (Tim Membrey)
18:28
In the last ten minutes, the Saints lead 13-7 in contested possessions and have generated five scores to one during this period.
18:42
SCORE BEHIND - Saints (Tim Membrey)
20:01
Tim Membrey, Paddy McCartin and Jade Gresham have now had 15 shots at goal between them. Melbourne has had 16 shots at goal.
22:45
St Kilda lead 5-1 in effective knock-ons, 8-6 in smothers and 25-10 in spoils in an indication of players prepared to do the team oriented actions.
23:46
SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Bayley Fritsch)
25:46
St Kilda has scored from 19 percent of its chains starting in the defensive midfield this season (ranked first). Today the Saints have scored from 31 percent of such chains generating 3.2.(20) to Melbourne 0.1.(1) from these chains.
26:51
SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Jesse Hogan)
28:02
Melbourne has only lost time in forward half once this season (against Collingwood in Round 12). St Kilda is currently edging Melbourne for time in forward half today.
29:06
The Saints three quarter time score (94) is already their second highest score of the season, only beaten by their Round 1 score of 107 against Brisbane.

Quarter 4

00:00
Q4 is now underway.
00:22
SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Jordan Lewis)
00:57
SCORE GOAL - Saints (Jack Billings)
01:04
An outstanding contest from Josh Battle provided the assist on the billings goal to cap another goal launched from the defensive 50 by the Saints. St Kilda now leads 46-13 in scores from defensive half chains.
02:49
SCORE GOAL - Demons (James Harmes)
04:00
SCORE BEHIND - Saints (Darragh Joyce)
04:21
Saints Interchange - Jake Carlisle off due to an injury.
04:36
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Jake Melksham)
04:44
Two quick goals to the Demons with the second goal coming from a kick-in chain in an indication of improved ball movement. Max Gawn still leads all Melbourne players for score involvements (eight) and contested possessions (12).
06:24
SCORE GOAL - Saints (Tim Membrey)
06:47
Saints Interchange - David Armitage off due to an injury.
06:54
Four goals now to Tim Membrey who has been the target of an equal game-high seven kicks inside 50. Jade Gresham who provided the assist now has an equal game-high nine score involvements.
09:25
The Saints have taken a mark and immediately played on 36 percent of the time this season, (the highest percentage recorded by any team), and today lead 28-12 in playing on following a mark with the fast ball movement influential.
14:42
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Bayley Fritsch)
14:49
Three of the last four goals to the Demons and none of these goals have come from forward half chains with the game opening up and allowing the Demons to move the ball more effectively.
16:26
In the final quarter, the Demons lead the clearances 6-2, the contested possessions 22-17 and uncontested possessions 52-39.
18:10
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Jesse Hogan)
18:30
Both teams have now scored 10.5.(65) from set shots at goal, and the Demon forwards again getting opportunities from midfield control. Melbourne has had the last five inside 50 entries of the game.
19:10
SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Rushed)
20:27
SCORE GOAL - Saints (Josh Battle)
20:45
Another pivotal play from young Saint Josh Battle who has seven score involvements including the last goal. None of the seven goals kicked in the final quarter by either team have come from a forward half chain.
23:02
SCORE BEHIND - Demons (Jesse Hogan)
24:36
SCORE GOAL - Saints (Jack Steven)
24:45
A late goal to Jack Steven who has again worked hard for the Saints with 24 disposals and nine score involvements that includes four score launches.
25:36
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Bayley Fritsch)
28:08
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Jesse Hogan)
28:25
Melbourne lead centre bounce clearances 20-11 and points from this source 32-14 with two goals needed in the final minute.
30:00
A quick goal from Jordan Lewis gives the Demons thirty seconds to steal the game from the final centre bounce. Melbourne has won the clearances 11-5 in the final quarter.
30:14
SCORE GOAL - Demons (Jordan Lewis)
31:40
A terrific win for the Saints who matched the Demons at the contest, and used the ball more effectively finishing with more short kicks (91-61), lead 31-19 in play-ons from a mark and with this speed scored ten goals to five from defensive half chains.