Round 19, 2000
St. Kilda vs Melbourne
Sunday 16 July
Venue: Docklands
Attendance: 24,039
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| St. Kilda | 4.4 | 10.8 | 12.11 | 14.14.98 |
| Melbourne | 4.4 | 7.11 | 11.13 | 17.14.116 |
Melbourne win by 18 points
Goalkickers: Brad Green 3, Jeff Farmer 2, Travis Johnstone 2, Stephen Powell 2, David Schwarz 2, Adem Yze 2, Anthony McDonald 1, Russell Robertson 1, Troy Simmonds 1, Jeff White 1
Brownlow Votes:
3 - Jeff White
1 - Stephen Powell
Best and Fairest
31.5 - Anthony McDonald
31 - Jeff White
29 - Stephen Powell
18 - Alistair Nicholson
17 - Russell Robertson
Milestones:
Rising Star nominee - Brad Green
With the Demons having all but confirmed themselves as finalists talk around town had suddenly turned to whether or not they could snag a top four berth, and bookies slashed their finals odds from 40/1 to 20/1 in recognition of their easy run into September.
A clash with the bottom of the barrel Saints seemed like nothing more than a roadbump, but St. Kilda gave Melbourne a terrific fright for three quarters. Joe McLaren in his 50th game had shown previously unforseen talents as a forward by booting four first quarter goals and the Saints were blanketing a disappointing Melbourne midfield. They still led by nearly three goals at half-time and were still in front at the last change, but the gap was narrowing rapidly.
Melbourne finally hit the front in the last term which went for 37 minutes, 8 seconds and featured two Demons felled by big hits from their opponents. Eventually the game was turned when Brett Moyle hit Travis Johnstone late and conceded a 50m penalty and goal that finally made the Saints submit after a brave effort. Adem Yze took the kick for Johnstone and Moyle was suspended for three matches. Peter Walsh was also carried from the ground suffering a concussion.
The Demons lost both Paul Wheatley (hamstring strain) and James McDonald with a knee injury. McDonald would miss the rest of the year, and the first seven rounds of 2001, after requiring a reconstruction. David Neitz (knee) was replaced in the selected side by Nathan Brown
Yze and Brown joined the best and Neale Daniher said "Obviously we're very relieved to get out with the win. Credit to St Kilda who were at us all day."
Former Demon Sean Charles, who had played his best game for St Kilda by blanketing Jeff Farmer, made allegations that he had been racially abused by David Schwarz but he later withdrew the allegations.
Media
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