St Kilda has withstood a bold last-quarter revival by Carlton to consolidate its spot in the eight with a determined 32-point victory at the MCG on Friday night.

In front of 55,658 fans - a record home and away attendance between the two clubs - the Saints saw their 39-point advantage in the third quarter whittled to just seven in the last term before finishing strongly to win 18.11 (119) to 12.15 (87).

The victory, St Kilda's 11th on the trot this decade against the Blues, was set up in the second quarter when the Saints booted seven goals to Carlton's three.

The momentum swung briefly Carlton's way in the third but three unanswered goals in time on briefly halted the Blues' run.

But just when all seemed lost for the Blues, they launched a five-goal burst, four of which came in the last term, to breathe life into what had been a dour affair.

Eddie Betts bagged two classic crumber's goals which were followed by another two to Brendan Fevola and Jarrad Waite, both of whom had largely dirty nights, and the Blues were only seven points down with more than 10 minutes left on the clock.

However, Justin Koschitzke threaded the eye of the needle after marking unguarded near the boundary line then set up another with a towering mark to snuff the life out of the Blues.

It would have been tantamount to highway robbery had the Blues stolen this game from the Saints, who dominated much of the match.

After holding on admirably as Carlton wasted a flurry of shots in the first term, the Saints began to dictate proceedings in the second.

It was not a pretty game to watch but at least on this occasion Saints fans who have been critical of Ross Lyon's uncompromising game plan had four points to savour.

Significantly, nearly all of St Kilda's top-liners were influential.

Nick Riewoldt outclassed Waite, so much so that the Blue was moved into attack in the final quarter.

The captain's 12 marks and three goals made him the game's most dominant forward, though Stephen Milne's five goals gave him a good run for that honour.

Koschitzke was important when the game was up for grabs, while Lenny Hayes led a midfield which smothered the life out of the Blues.

Nick Dal Santo again combined a defensive ethos to his game while Jason Gram shared the points in an engrossing duel with Chris Judd.

Judd won half his game-high 30 possession in the clinches but only rarely showed the explosiveness out of the marks which has made him the game's premier midfielder for much of this decade.

Bryce Gibbs and Heath Scotland were valuable throughout, but Nick Stevens had an off night.

Fevola kicked three goals but Max Hudghton clearly won the battle. At one point, Fevola, as he has a wont to do, was dragged for giving away a 50-metre penalty after conceding a free kick.

The spearhead, like his team-mates, came to life in the last quarter but on this occasion it was not enough to repent the sins of the previous three.

CARLTON: 2.8, 5.9, 8.12, 12.15 (87)
ST KILDA: 2.4, 9.7, 14.9, 18.11 (119)

GOALS: Carlton: Betts 3, Fevola 3, Fisher 2, Browne, Cloke, Gibbs, Waite
St Kilda: Milne 5, Riewoldt 3, Armitage 2, Koschitzke 2, Blake, Gram, Harvey, Hayes, Jones, McQualter
BEST: Carlton: Judd, Gibbs, Scotland, Thornton, Betts
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