St Kilda has held off a fast-finishing North Melbourne to win by nine points in a thriller at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
A week after the Saints roared home to secure a record-breaking comeback win over Melbourne, the Roos almost flipped that script on them as they reeled in a 23-point three-quarter time deficit to trail by less than a kick with under a minute to go.
An after-the-siren goal to Max Hall stretched the margin out as the Saints recorded the 11.12 (78) to 10.9 (69) victory.
St Kilda's second consecutive win came at a cost, with Mitch Owens suffering a hamstring injury in the third quarter that looks certain to end his season with just three games remaining.
He was replaced by skipper Jack Steele, who was a surprise substitute - just the fourth captain ever to start as sub.
North's sixth straight defeat was made worse by Paul Curtis' report for striking Angus Hastie in the throat on the quarter-time siren.
On his return from a right knee injury, Nick Larkey kicked three goals but appeared to re-injure himself when he marked on the lead in the final term.
Saints Hunter Clark (25 touches) and Jack Sinclair (26) were also busy, while Jack Higgins and Max Heath kicked two goals apiece.
North star Harry Sheezel (33 disposals) was typically prolific along with Colby McKercher (36).
Larkey kicked a goal on the quarter-time siren to send North out to a 14-point advantage, then delivered a 19-point lead early in the second term.
But the Saints reeled off the next three goals to take a one-point lead into half-time.
SAINTS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats
Kangaroo Zac Banch (ribs) was substituted at the main break while Owens made way in the third term.
The Saints kicked four consecutive goals to lead by 23 at three-quarter time and North couldn't complete the comeback.
St Kilda next plays Richmond at the MCG on Saturday while North travels to face Greater Western Sydney in Canberra on Sunday.
Nervous wait for Roo on report
North forward Paul Curtis could be facing his second ban of the season after being reported for an off-the-ball strike on Saint Angus Hastie. There was a bit of niggle between the pair as Roo Nick Larkey lined up for goal on the quarter-time siren, before Curtis took a swing and collected Hastie in the throat. The 19-year-old took some time to recover from the blow, spending the opening five minutes of play in the second term on the bench. It would be the second ban for Curtis this season after he served a three-game suspension for a dangerous tackle that concussed Port Adelaide's Josh Sinn in Round 7. Meanwhile, fellow Roo Cam Zurhaar could also come under scrutiny after he jumped off the ground to bump Saints ruck Rowan Marshall. Luckily for Zurhaar, he didn't collect the Saints ruck high despite the dangerous manoeuvre and Marshall was able to play out the game.
ST KILDA 1.2 4.6 10.11 11.12 (72)
NORTH MELBOURNE 3.4 4.5 7.6 10.9 (69)
GOALS
St Kilda: Heath 2, Higgins 2, Boxshall, Byrnes, Marshall, Owens, Sharman, Wood
North Melbourne: Larkey 3, Zurhaar 2, Darling, Davies-Uniacke, McKercher, Sheezel, Wardlaw,
BEST
St Kilda: Wanganeen-Milera, Marshall, Sinclair, Macrae, Clark, Hill
North Melbourne: Sheezel, McKercher, Zurhaar, Davies-Uniacke, Larkey, Powell
INJURIES
St Kilda: Owens (hamstring)
North Melbourne: Banch (ribs)
SUBSTITUTES
St Kilda: Steele (replaced Owens in the third quarter)
North Melbourne: Hansen jnr (replaced Banch in the third quarter)
Crowd: TBC at Marvel Stadium
