ST KILDA 1.3 4.5 8.6 10.8 (68)
MELBOURNE 2.2 2.10 4.11 6.15 (51)
GOALS
St Kilda: Riewoldt 3, Stanley 2, Saunders, Templeton, Armitage, Gwilt, Geary
Melbourne: Byrnes 2, Toumpas, Terlich, Tyson, M.Jones
BEST
St Kilda: Jones, Riewoldt, Dunstan, Curran, Ray
Melbourne: Jones, Vince, Watts, Dunn, Grimes
What happened
St Kilda's win came despite having a host of its best players missing. Photo: Getty
Under new coach Alan Richardson, St Kilda has upset Melbourne by 17 points in a Round 1 arm wrestle at Etihad Stadium.
It was a scrappy match where both sides worked very hard but enjoyed little reward on the scoreboard.
The final score was 10.8 (68) to 6.15 (51).
The Demons dominated possesion early and booted the opening two goals before St Kilda clawed its way in front, mainly due to its superior forward line led by Nick Riewoldt (three goals).
The Dees held a five-point advantage at quarter time but the Saints led at every other change.
The Saints booted three goals in four minutes midway through the third term which ultimately took the match out of Melbourne's reach.
A goal to GWS recruit Dom Tyson inside the first minute of the last quarter cut the margin to 13 points, but the Dees simply didn't have the legs to press any further.
The Saints went into the match without key defender Sam Fisher but were well served by other experienced defenders Sam Gilbert and James Gwilt who were solid despite their disrupted pre-seasons.
Former North Melbourne fullback Luke Delaney also did a serviceable job.
Draftee Luke Dunstan was excellent for the Saints, while Jack Watts played a fine game in midfield for the Demons.
Fallout
Paul Roos gave his team a spray at three-quarter time. Photo: Getty
With both teams tipped to finish near the bottom, it was a match that was always going to have more significant consequences for the loser.
A Demons win would have been a perfect start for the Paul Roos regime, but instead the Dees will have to face expectations they're headed for another miserable year.
For the Saints, the win was scratchy, but at least they have Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna, Jack Steven and Sam Fisher to come back from injury and suspension.
Some of the quieter players included Jeremy Howe, who was stone cold with just 10 meaningless touches while veteran recruits Shannon Byrnes (14 disposals) and Daniel Cross (15) didn't do enough when it mattered.
Hope they're in my fantasy team
It was a night when nobody could keep up with the Joneses. St Kilda's Clinton helped himself to 39 touches and Melbourne's Nathan gave him a run for best-on-ground honours with 38.
What's next
It is the side many tipped to take to the wooden spoon, but St Kilda could go 2-0 when it returns to Etihad Stadium next Saturday afternoon for a home game against Greater Western Sydney.
Melbourne hosts West Coast at the MCG on Sunday at 3.20pm.