St Kilda responded in the best way after copping a dose of internal criticism, thrashing Melbourne by 79 points in their AFL game at Telstra Dome.

The Saints' five goals in the first quarter was more than the Demons could manage to three-quarter time, and they cantered to a 19.15 (129) to 7.8 (50) victory before a crowd of 27,854.

Adam Schneider booted a goal in each of the first three quarters and two in the last to finish with five, while running half-backs Jason Gram and Sam Fisher did as they pleased with a stack of uncontested possessions.

But Melbourne's horror season got worse, as forward Russell Robertson needed assistance off the field in the third quarter after injuring his right leg.

His loss leaves the side without a top-line marking forward following David Neitz's recent retirement.

St Kilda's win kept them in touch with the top eight - they are realistically the only side which can threaten to dislodge one of the sides above them - and was the right reply to the challenge put on them by coach Ross Lyon.

Lyon last weekend labelled his side physically and mentally soft after a terrible loss to the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba, but they proved themselves by lifting their work rate and intensity over the ball.

That said, Melbourne made plenty of mistakes and provided little resistance, as the ease with which St Kilda kicked some of their early goals proved the Demons were not up for this one.

St Kilda's other good contributors were Luke Ball, who played well in the centre, fellow midfielder Leigh Montagna and skipper Nick Riewoldt, who worked tirelessly across half-forward and set several goals up, although he finished with only 1.3 himself.

Schneider capped a good game by marking another errant kick from the Melbourne backline and spearing a pass to Stephen Milne, who booted his third goal of the game.

Veteran Adem Yze booted three goals for Melbourne, whose better players included midfielder James McDonald and Matthew Bate, who worked hard across half-forward.

Despite four goals in the last quarter, Melbourne's latest heavy defeat left their percentage at a pathetic 58.

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