St Kilda have emerged winners after a difficult week, continuing Melbourne’s dire AFL season with a 35-point victory at the MCG on Saturday.

Not even the sacking of coach Mark Neeld earlier this week and caretaker Neil Craig stepping in could provide any short-term revival for the Demons as they went down 16.8 (104) to 10.9 (69).

St Kilda, a club itself thrown into turmoil by rape charges against forward Stephen Milne, kicked three goals in the opening four minutes of the match and were never threatened from then on.

They slaughtered the Dees in midfield – Leigh Montagna dominant for the Saints with 35 possessions, and good support from Farren Ray and Jack Steven.

Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt, who along with Nick Dal Santo was playing his 250th AFL match, booted three goals.

Dal Santo finished with 28 touches.

The Saints led by 29 points at halftime, and had extended that margin to 49 by three-quarter-time.

While the Demons booted three goals to one in the final term, the game was well and truly over by that stage.

It is St Kilda’s third win of the season, while Melbourne have won just once in 12 games this year.

Souring Melbourne’s day further was ruckman Jake Spencer being reported for crashing into the head of Saints counterpart Ben McEvoy – a collision which forced the St Kilda player to be substituted.

But Saints defender Tom Simpkin will also find himself in trouble.

His behind-play left hook to the jaw of Melbourne’s Chris Dawes just prior to halftime sent Dawes sprawling to the ground.

While it was missed by the umpires, television replays picked it up clearly and the match review panel will certainly investigate on Monday.