Melbourne’s Steven King era is off to a perfect start, consigning St Kilda and their band of rich recruits to a second consecutive defeat at the MCG on Sunday.
The Demons’ board sacked 2021 premiership coach Simon Goodwin in August and appointed King barely a month later, with champion midfielders Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver also finding new clubs soon after. By the start of this month, Steven May was gone, too.
There were several new faces in red and blue against the Saints, from former St Kilda captain Jack Steele to fellow recruits Brody Mihocek and Changkuoth Jiath, and exciting draftee Latrelle Pickett – Kysaiah’s cousin.
All four did their bit in Melbourne’s spirited 13-point victory, but it was key forward Jacob van Rooyen’s career-best six-goal day that proved the difference, including five in a thrilling opening half that set the tone for a captivating contest.
Van Rooyen’s 50-metre strike for his final goal kicked the Demons to a match-high 18-point lead – almost 10 minutes into the fourth quarter – but they had to desperately hang on as St Kilda frittered away chances.
Spring in their step: Jacob van Rooyen and Max Gawn.Credit: Getty Images
With only seven points separating the sides after Max Hall’s fourth major at the other end, Bradley Hill’s ill-advised kick across goal to Darcy Wilson, who was sandwiched between two Melbourne opponents, proved the key moment.
Bayley Fritsch swooped on the loose Sherrin and extended the Demons’ advantage to 13 inside the last three minutes, burying the Saints’ hopes of responding to last week’s loss to Collingwood.
Melbourne snatched a two-point half-time lead after conceding three of the first four goals in the first proper look at King’s promise of more aggressive ball movement.
Van Rooyen, with new forward partner-in-crime Mihocek nearby and also busy, was at the heart of the Demons’ inside-50 fireworks.
