It might have only been the NAB Challenge but winning form is good form - especially for a developing team like Melbourne.
The Demons will hit the AFL season with a head of steam after defeating St Kilda by 24 points on Sunday.
The Demons finished last season with just seven wins but made it three from three at the conclusion of their pre-season campaign with the 1.14.14 (107) to 0.12.11 (83) win at Etihad Stadium.
An apparent injury to St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt, who came off late in the entertaining affair, threatened to steal Melbourne's thunder but Saints coach Alan Richardson quickly allayed any such fears.
"The plan was for him to play 90 minutes ... and he was just short of that," Richardson said.
"He just got a little bit tight late in the game, just general tightness, he'll be fine."
With that the focus rightly turned to the Demons, who trailed by four points at the first break after Jack Billings bagged three goals in the opening term but then clawed back the lead early in the second and managed to keep the Saints at bay for the rest of the contest.
Nathan Jones led the way in customary fashion, but his support cast has improved considerably in the off-season.
Jack Watts finished a promising pre-season with two goals, Tomas Bugg appears to be a good pick-up from GWS, and Christian Salem, Dom Tyson and Jack Viney were among a large group of players who look to have improved with the benefit of another AFL pre-season under their belts.
And No.4 draft pick Clayton Oliver looks set for cult status with Demons fans with his wrecking ball approach a feature of his 18-possession, two-goal game.
"I think there's still plenty to work on but we're really pleased with the style we are starting to develop," assistant coach Simon Goodwin said.
Exciting spearhead Jesse Hogan had a largely indifferent day but still contributed two goals.
After last week's clash with Brisbane was called off in rain-soaked Mackay, the Saints were playing their second NAB Challenge game, which was perhaps a factor as the Demons edged away late.
"We'll be better for the run ... we were scratchy," Richardson said.
"We had some moments where we played some reasonable footy ... then got to our last kick and didn't make the most of that and then didn't defend that well."
In his first game of the pre-season, Riewoldt split his time between a wing attacking 50 and didn't have a significant influence on proceedings before departing early.
Jack Steven was important for St Kilda with 30 touches, with Seb Ross and Leigh Montagna also prominent.
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