VIDEOS: Match highlights | Brad Scott press conference | Post-match interviews | Sam Wright seals the win | Brent Harvey running goal | Drew Petrie one-hander | Join in the Chorus | Daniel Wells quickstep | Michael Firrito saving tackle | Leigh Adams takes no prisoners

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1. Ruck it out

St Kilda and North Melbourne have both had their challenges this year with their ruck departments. With Ben McEvoy the only recognised ruckman on the Saints' list, they were left short when he was injured earlier in the season. North, on the other hand, started the year with Hamish McIntosh and Todd Goldstein as a rotating ruck pair but couldn't quite find the right balance. Since McIntosh's knee injury, Goldstein has taken over the reigns and has blossomed. At Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Goldstein and McEvoy went head-to-head and it was a pretty even contest. Goldstein had 18 disposals and 42 hit-outs, while McEvoy tried hard with 18 touches and 26 hit-outs.

2. Take the weather with you

It was hard to think of anyone who wasn't glad that this game was played at Etihad Stadium, except for maybe North Melbourne. Despite the ugly conditions outside - Melbourne's weather was bitterly cold and wet - the Roos might have driven to the ground wishing they were playing elsewhere after their recent record against the Saints at the venue. Before Sunday, North Melbourne last defeated St Kilda in 2009 at Etihad Stadium, and from 16 matches at the Docklands venue, the Saints had the clear edge, winning 10 to the Kangaroos' six. But that didn't seem to matter as the Kangaroos ran away with it in the last quarter to win by 33 points in what was Brad Scott's first win over the Saints as coach of the Kangaroos.

3. Holding the ball

There has been a lot of discussion in recent weeks as to what actually constitutes a holding-the-ball free kick, and the confusion was obvious again in the first quarter. But there was no doubting a couple of free kicks given late in the opening term. Kangaroos defender Michael Firrito saved a certain goal for his team when he chased down and dragged St Kilda speedster Ahmed Saad to the ground as the forward was about to kick at goal from close range. Firrito's effort was largely forgotten, however, when his teammate Luke Delaney cost North a goal when he was caught in possession by Adam Schneider as Delaney tried to exit the backline. Delaney was trapped, tackled and penalised, and Lenny Hayes rammed home an easy goal for the Saints.

4. Lach him in

It hasn't been an easy year for Lachie Hansen. After an interrupted start to the year with injury, Hansen was in line for a senior recall before receiving an untimely suspension in the VFL. He played his senior first game of the year last week against Adelaide and was solid with nine disposals, but showed some excellent signs against St Kilda that he could be the key forward the Kangaroos need to help out Drew Petrie. Hansen booted the first goal of the game after taking a strong grab on the lead, and had three after crumbing the ball on the goal line, sidestepping his opponent, and snapping it through with his left foot. He didn't kick any more goals but Hansen crashed packs, had a presence and finished with 13 disposals in an encouraging performance.

5. Injuries

It was a combative game throughout, and the injury luck didn't fall with the Saints. Rhys Stanley, who has just returned from a long-term hamstring injury, was marking the ball very well before being substituted out of the game with another hamstring niggle. Then defender Jason Blake hobbled from the field with an ankle injury, while utility Brendon Goddard was clearly affected by a knee injury that required significant strapping. When Daniel Wells burst out of a stoppage midway through the last term to help set up Petrie's fourth goal, it was clear the Roos were full of run and the Saints were done. Goddard's aggressive whack at Wright's head in the last quarter signalled the Saint's frustration at Wright's tagging role and his inability to perform at his maximum.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs