1. Boomer’s milestone run rolls on
In a game short on class, Brent Harvey provided occasional moments of excellence in his VFL/AFL-record 427th game, breaking Michael Tuck’s long-standing record. The 38-year-old showed the speed and accurate kicking that has long been his trademark while manned up by Leigh Montagna. Harvey found himself without an opponent in the forward 50 a couple of minutes into the fourth quarter and received an almighty roar when he took a mark. It was a relatively easy set shot for a man of his ability, but the post proved a barrier to an ovation that would have threatened to lift the roof off Etihad Stadium. Later, Lindsay Thomas took a great mark in the goalsquare, and held true on his pre-match promise to assist Harvey's first goal, handpassing it to Boomer for an easy goal.

Full match coverage and stats

2. Roos hopping towards September
As big as the occasion was for Harvey, the ramifications were even bigger for each team's finals aspirations. St Kilda entered the clash in ninth spot, two wins and about 20 per cent behind eigth-placed North Melbourne. Despite the high stakes, sloppy disposal was a constant in the first half, and both sides were wasteful in front of goal. North came out the stronger side after the main break and kicked away, largely thanks to Drew Petrie up forward, who stood up in the absence of Jarrad Waite.

WATCH: Big Roos trounce Saints

3. Hip problems cruel Waite again
Waite's troublesome hip is a major concern for coach Brad Scott as North Melbourne prepares for a tough run home heading into September. He went into the rooms at quarter-time and had it worked on at the end of the second term. After his second goal early in the third term, Waite looked particularly ginger and did not return to the field. The 33-year-old missed five of North's previous six matches with the same injury after a brilliant start to the season and his fitness is crucial if the Kangaroos are to cause damage in the finals.

4. Don’t put paid to Petrie
His form has been questioned and there were doubts on his fitness after he wore a guard on his left wrist at training on Monday, but a brilliant speccy showed there's life in Petrie's legs yet. Petrie climbed on top of teammate Ben Brown's shoulders, which is no mean feat considering Brown stands at 200cm. Petrie's resulting goal put his side up 22 points midway through the third quarter, an important buffer in what had been a low-scoring contest. With questions over Waite's health, Petrie needs to keep playing well if he wants his side to go deep into the finals series for a third successive season. A great snapped goal after a spin move to begin the last quarter all-but sealed the result.

5. No finals, but positives aplenty
The Saints cost themselves any chance of a top-eight spot with poor kicking against the Roos, both in general play and in front of goal. While they will no doubt be disappointed with the result, there have been plenty of positives for the club this season. After six wins and one draw in 2015, the Saints have won nine games, and counting, this year. Three more matches against sides that won’t play finals will give the Saints further opportunity to extend that record.