North Melbourne has fallen to St Kilda by 49 points in a disappointing performance at Etihad Stadium.

The Roos started strongly to lead by five points at quarter-time in their last Melbourne fixture of the 2017 season, but injuries took their toll as St Kilda dominated the second and third terms.

The Saints had 14-straight scoring shots after North captain Jack Ziebell gave his side its final lead inside the first eight minutes of the second term. But it was a slow burn, with 10 of the first 12 only behinds, including five rushed by a desperate Roos defence.

The teams' respective forward-half disposals for the quarter (78-19 in St Kilda's favour) told a sorry tale for the blue and white.

North threatened to make the Saints pay for their wastefulness when they briefly made a stand early in the third term to cut the difference to 21 points. But a Nick Riewoldt goal kick-started four on the trot to put paid to the Kangaroos' challenge.

Ben Cunnington finished with 36 disposals and 2 goals as North's best, while Shaun Higgins had 32 touches. Taylor Garner was terrific in attack, with 24 possessions and 2 majors. 

Young Roo Dan Nielson (concussion) didn't make it to quarter-time, copping an accidental Josh Bruce knee to the head that saw him stretchered from the field in a neck brace. A thumbs-up to the crowd indicated he was okay, but he took no further part.

North coach Brad Scott was pleased with his players' "energetic start", but said they were well beaten in the final three quarters.

"They (the Saints) completely turned the game around inside the contest after quarter-time and we were very reactive in the stoppages after that, and they really got on top of us and then outworked us from there," Scott said.

"We tried to peg it back in the second half, but again, St Kilda were very clean and very crisp with their movement away from the contest, and I thought that was the most significant difference between the sides.

"I thought the St Kilda midfield overall got right on top through weight of numbers … and losing four guys throughout the course of the game for periods of time (hurt us)."

MEDICAL ROOM
St Kilda: The Saints' sole concern is defender Sam Gilbert, who left the field in the third quarter with an abdominal issue.

North Melbourne: The game was held up for more than five minutes in the first quarter as trainers placed Daniel Nielson on a stretcher. Todd Goldstein left the match briefly in the opening term after a finger in the eye, but returned in the second quarter. Of more concern was the knee injury he sustained late in the contest. Braydon Preuss (right shoulder) played the match out despite disappearing into the rooms midway through the second term.

NEXT UP
St Kilda may already know its finals scenario by the time it plays Richmond at the MCG on Sunday week, but regardless it must defeat the Tigers to have any chance. North takes on Brisbane at the Gabba. 

ST KILDA 4.3 8.14 14.17 18.19 (127)
NORTH MELBOURNE 5.2 6.3 8.5 12.6 (78)

GOALS
St Kilda: Bruce 3, Membrey 3, Gresham 3, Riewoldt 2, Savage 2, Billings, Acres, Weller, Steele, Sinclair
North Melbourne: Garner 2, Brown 2, Hrovat 2, Cunnington 2, Simpkin, Gibson, Ziebell, Goldstein

BEST 
St Kilda: Steven, Ross, Dunstan, Billings, Steele, Newnes
North Melbourne: Cunnington, Higgins, McDonald, Goldstein, Garner

INJURIES 
St Kilda: Sam Gilbert (abdominal)
North Melbourne: Daniel Nielson (concussion), Todd Goldstein (left knee)

Reports: Jake Carlisle reported for striking Luke McDonald and Declan Mountford in two separate incidents in the first quarter
Umpires: Margetts, Kamolins, Wallace
Official crowd: 29,126 at Etihad Stadium