St Kilda's Ross Lyon opened his AFL senior coaching career perfectly as his side scored an impressive 31-point win over Melbourne on Friday night.

The Saints overpowered the Demons at the MCG with ferocious tackling in the first three quarters of the season opener for a 13.15 (93) to 9.8 (62) win.

Melbourne gave the Saints a scare in the last quarter, outscoring them by three goals to two, but St Kilda steadied to hold off the late challenge.

Onballer Leigh Montagna had 24 possessions for the Saints and Fraser Gehrig kicked four goals in an outstanding performance at centre half-forward, while Russell Robertson and David Neitz kicked three apiece for the Demons.

Robertson also posted an early contender for the goal of the year - late in the second term, he grabbed the ball out of the air while lying flat on his back and slotted it through.

The Demons lost defender Matthew Whelan early in the game after his hard shepherd on Luke Ball, while midfielder Brock McLean was on crutches after hurting his lower leg just before half-time.

The last time these two teams met, Melbourne ended St Kilda's season with an outstanding win last September in their elimination final.

Less than a week later, the Saints made the stunning decision to sack coach Grant Thomas, who covered Friday night's game as a radio commentator.

Lyon took over after a long apprenticeship in a variety of assistant coaching roles, including a key role under Paul Roos in the 2005 Sydney premiership.

The uncertainty that comes with a rookie senior coach and a lengthy injury list during the off-season meant there were big question marks over the Saints coming into the season.

Melbourne looked ready to add to those doubts when they started better and took an eight-point lead into the first change.

Whelan's heavy shepherd on Luke Ball in the opening minutes left the Saints co-captain with a cut forehead.

But while Ball was able to return to the game in the second term with his head wrapped in a bandage, a standard injury for the courageous Saint, Whelan was forced to stay on the bench for the night.

Neitz kicked the opening goal of the season, seven minutes into the game.

But after Demons ruckman Jeff White opened the second term with his 100th AFL goal in his 200th match, extending the lead to 14 points, the Saints took control.

They kicked the next five goals, with Robertson's freakish snap reducing the margin to 10 points at the main break.

St Kilda kicked 4.5 to two behinds in the third term and their inaccuracy was the only reason Melbourne was barely in the match at the last break, trailing by 37 points.

Melbourne was too reliant on handball in the first three quarters, but was more direct in the last quarter and pulled to within four goals before St Kilda closed out the game.

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