St Kilda will attempt to bounce back in Round 1 of the AFL season, after a disappointing performance last week, but they’ll have to get past the Melbourne Demons in their first match of the Steven King era.

St Kilda came into the AFL’s Opening Round on a high, getting big wraps from experts and fans alike over the offseason.

They promptly had their bubble burst by the Pies, who are the oldest team in the league. Collingwood’s experience taught a lesson to the young whipper snappers from the Southeast.

Brought back to reality, Saints will be eager to test themselves against the Dees. Melbourne Football Club are a proud organisation, with a long history stretching as far back as Aussie Rules itself.

For the powers that be at Melbourne, one flag in over 60 years is simply not good enough. Premiership winning coach Simon Goodwin copped the axe over this squad’s inconsistent performances.

New Demons head coach Steven King claims there’s a clean slate at Melbourne. But the pressure will be right back on Max Gawn and the playing group if they can’t dish up performances better than last season.

It was a tumultuous start to life as the team’s new head coach for King, with Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver departing in the trade period and Steven May retiring on the eve of the season.

The Demons ended 2025 with a 7-16 W/L record, including two defeats against St Kilda.

The latter of those results came in historic fashion, with Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera leading the Saints back from 46 points down at three-quarter-time to win 96-90 thanks to his 34-disposal, four-goal performance, which included both the match-tying and match-winning goals in the final minute.

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights, check out our Melbourne Demons vs St Kilda Round 1 prediction and preview below.

Melbourne Demons vs St Kilda Match Prediction and Betting Tips

Head-to-Head Prediction

We were willing to give the Saints some time to gel as a group, but we know patience is a rare commodity in footy.

Whenever you integrate four key pillars to a new team, you’d expect some growing pains, and we saw those last week; enormous forward entry numbers for little results speaks to that.

Despite needing to be shown some patience, starting 0-2 would be far from ideal for this new-look St Kilda outfit.

The Dees were one of the more impressive pre-season teams, but we know that can often translate to absolutely nothing once the premiership points are on the line.

We like the core of Harvey Langford, Caleb Windsor and Kysaiah Pickett around the ball, with big Max Gawn feeding them at the stoppage.

Melbourne's forward line remains a mystery with too much reliance on Jake Melksham and Bayley Fritsch as medium types.

A big season awaits for Jacob Van Rooyen, with former Magpie Brody Mihocek there to relieve some pressure.

We’re expecting a frantically paced game on the wide expanses of the ‘G, something no one would have said about these two teams in years gone by.

Saints had the chance to dust out the cobwebs last week, they’ll be better for the run and feeling more connected than the Dees who will be adjusting to their new style under coach King.  

Head-to-head prediction: St Kilda by 13 points.

First Goal Scorer Prediction

Brodie Mihocek is a proven performer at the MCG and will be hungry to make an immediate impact for the Dees after being told he was surplus to requirements at Collingwood.

The 2023 champion forward loves the big stage and can slot them from anywhere. His leading patterns should see him find an early opportunity to kick the first major in this one.

Betting tip: Brodie Mihocek.

Most Disposals Prediction

Jack Sinclair has a great record of finding the football regardless of the result. The Saints Co-Captain is a primary distributor and is consistently feeding his forward line in space.

On the fast track at the MCG, we expect St Kilda to have the upper hand and Sinclair exploit the space and drive the Saints forward.

Betting tip: Jack Sinclair.

Odds are subject to change.*

Melbourne Demons vs St Kilda Saints Predicted Team Lists

Melbourne Demons Predicted Team List

FB: Harrison Petty, Jake Lever, Blake Howes

HB: Changkuoth Jiath, Daniel Turner, Christian Salem

C: Xavier Lindsay, Jack Steele, Ed Langdon

HF: Kysaiah Pickett, Jacob van Rooyen, Tom Sparrow

F: Bayley Fritsch, Brody Mihocek, Kade Chandler

FOLL: Max Gawn, Caleb Windsor, Harvey Langford

I/C: Koltyn Tholstrup, Jai Culley, Jake Melksham, Trent Rivers, Tom McDonald

St Kilda Predicted Team List

FB: Jack Silvagni, Callum Wilkie, Anthony Caminiti

HB: Alix Tauru, Bradley Hill, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera

C: Marcus Windhager, Max Hall, Darcy Wilson

HF: Mattaes Phillipou, Hugh Boxshall, Mitch Owens

F: Liam Ryan, Cooper Sharman, Jack Higgins

FOLL: Tom De Koning, Sam Flanders, Jack Sinclair

I/C: Jack Macrae, Liam Stocker, Isaac Keeler, Jack Carroll, Alex Dodson

Melbourne Demons vs St Kilda Saints Match Details

Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026

First Bounce: 3:15pm AEDT

Location: MCG, Melbourne

How to Watch: Fox Footy/Kayo Sports