ST KILDA has proved the party-pooper in the final match for sacked Carlton coach Brett Ratten, with the Saints pipping the Blues by 15 points at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

In a spiteful match that belied its dead-rubber status, the Saints trailed by 15 points midway through the last quarter but slammed on the last five goals of the game to win 16.10 (106) to 12.19 (91).

Carlton was beaten but it wasn't due to a lack of determination.

The Blues were reduced to 20 men midway through the second quarter after skipper Chris Judd and Chris Yarran suffered hamstring injuries and the close result was perhaps testament to their respect for their outgoing coach.

The Saints took the lead when veteran Stephen Milne kicked a controversial goal off the ground at the 24-minute mark. Milne could have been penalised for kicking in danger against Carlton's Ed Curnow but was awarded a goal after a score review.

The Saints finish the season in ninth place with a 12-10 record, while the Blues' 11-11 standing is yet to be finalised.

Milne and direct opponent Andrew Walker started wrestling before the opening bounce and were reported, and other players from both sides will no doubt come under scrutiny from the Match Review Panel.

Carlton dominated most of the key statistical categories and had stars like Brock McLean, who amassed a career-best 39 disposals and Jarrad Waite, who bagged five goals. However, usual sharpshooters Eddie Betts (1.4) and Jeff Garlett (1.3) contributed to a wasteful scoreline.

For the Saints, Jason Gram's long kicking, including several ball-bursting spiral punts, was a feature, as was the speed of Terry Milera (three first-half goals) and Jack Steven.

The fact the Saints won without strong contributions from Nick Dal Santo (15 touches) and the hard-hit Leigh Montagna (13) was full of merit.

Along with Ratten's departure, it may also have been Brendon Goddard's last game for the Saints as he considers free-agency offers. Goddard had 22 disposals and kicked a goal.

The Saints have now won 15 of their past 17 games against the Blues.

One concern was that with the roof open, bright sunlight appeared to cause errors in decision-making and skill execution.

CARLTON  4.5  7.7  10.15  12.19 (91)
ST KILDA 4.1  8.4  10.6  16.9 (105)

GOALS
St Kilda: Milera 3, Gram 2, Wilkes 2, Steven 2, Armitage 2, Milne, Goddard, McEvoy, Stanley, Saad
Carlton: Waite 5, Bell, Betts, Duigan, Garlett, Mitchell, Robinson, McLean

BEST
St Kilda: Gram, Armitage, Ray, Goddard, Geary, Siposs, Steven
Carlton: McLean, Waite, Kreuzer, Gibbs, O'Keeffe, Robinson

INJURIES
St Kilda: Nil
Carlton: Yarran (hamstring), Judd (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES
St Kilda: Tom Ledger replaced by Jack Newnes during the third quarter
Carlton: Chris Yarran replaced by David Ellard during the second quarter.

Reports: TBC

Umpires: Margetts, Jeffery, Bannister

Official crowd: 31,393 at Etihad Stadium

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs