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“He is tough to play against. When he is forward of centre and he is humming, it is pretty scary, but I have so many teammates that roll back and help me. It’s a tough task, but that’s what I want to build with the group – everyone getting their role done – and that’s what we did,” Windhager told Fox Footy.

Veteran Saint Zak Jones spent most of the afternoon on Clayton Oliver and held the gun midfielder to 16 disposals, including just three clearances. Oliver had been used as a tagger recently, but on this day could not handle being the hunted.

The Demons had won five of their past six games, including back-to-back wins over the Brisbane Lions and Sydney, but they were jumped in the first term and never really recovered. Their kicking for goal was woeful. They somehow managed just 1.12 in the second half, and finished the afternoon with a head-turning 7.21.

That their final quarter was their worst final term ever in terms of pressure rating under coach Simon Goodwin, with the entire match their eighth worst, according to Fox Footy, told the tale.

Following the clash, Goodwin said he was disappointed with how his side started.

“Early in the game, that was what I was most disappointed in, [our inability] to win contests … [and] defend the ground – [they had] way too many full-ground transition goals. I think they kicked 10 for the game,” he said.

“The way we started set the game up for the way St Kilda wanted it, and we weren’t able to get the scoreboard impact to change it.”

Goodwin said the Demons defended well for periods, but needed scoreboard impact.

“To St Kilda’s credit, I thought they were just a bit hungrier around the contest areas, they pressured well, [and] I thought they were a bit more efficient in the way they used the ball. Ultimately, that’s how the game played out, they were able to score when they went inside 50 far more effectively,” he said.

And there is almost certainly more pain to come for the Demons. Forward Aidan Johnson chose to bump Wanganeen-Milera in a midfield clash in the second term, with the Saints star immediately feeling for his head. Wanganeen-Milera left the field and was tested for concussion.

That the umpires did not pay a free kick against Johnson, and Wanganeen-Milera later returned to the field, may help him avoid a typical three-week suspension for a high, heavy hit, but he still faces time on the sidelines.

“He is in some trouble, Johnson,” Former Hawthorn and Melbourne star Jordan Lewis said on Fox Footy.

Former Essendon captain Jobe Watson said Johnson had chosen to jump into Wanganeen-Milera and bump, and was likely to be given a two-match ban.

The Saints lost Mattaes Phillipou (calf) early in the first term, and he was replaced by Jack Carroll – the former Blue impressing in his first senior game at his new club.

Steven May was excellent for the Demons, both in defending and rebounding, but Melbourne needed more from Christian Petracca, despite his two goals.

The Demons booted the opening goal of the contest, but the Saints delivered the punch they had wanted, supplying the next six – sparked by a lackadaisical left-foot snap from Pickett that was marked on the goal line by Brad Hill, who then engineered a coast-to-coast goal.

Melbourne had control of the third term and closed to within two goals after Harrison Petty tackled Mason Wood and converted a free kick, but the Saints responded in style.

Windhager said Wilkie had been a “brick wall” in defence when the contest was on the line.

“He is the centrepiece of our back six, and he is so strong down there. A lot of times you have to rely on him heaps, and he just steps up every time,” Windhager said.

Jack Viney missed his fourth-straight match after the Demons ruled he was not ready to return from concussion. The former Melbourne skipper trained on Sunday, with Goodwin hopeful the veteran will return next week. Viney had said early last week he had expected to face the Saints.