Good reading in the Herald-Sun

[BakesFan]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/ ... 72,00.html

ST KILDA drew inspiration from Geelong ahead of its ruthless 97-point smashing of West Coast at Etihad Stadium.

Coach Ross Lyon said the focus was again on pressure and hardness following last week's emphatic away win over Adelaide.

A sublime 10-goal second quarter set up the win, which was also notable for the reports of Nick Dal Santo and Steven King for striking.

"The challenge in AFL football is coming up week after week," Lyon said.

"We spoke about the benchmark team Geelong, they were able to tick that box again on Thursday night against quality opposition.

"So we challenged ourselves after what was obviously a really positive win interstate, to be able to come and reproduce effort and teamsmanship and we ticked that box off today. But we move on and we focus straight away on Fremantle."

Dal Santo was reported in the third quarter for striking Tyson Stenglein and both were booked for wrestling. King was cited for a blow to the head of Ashley Hansen in the last quarter.

The match review committee may also examine an incident in which Justin Koschitzke made contact with prone Eagles rookie Eric Mackenzie.

Despite being unbeaten, Lyon called for a cautious approach at this early stage of the season.

"It's a bit like the Adelaide performance - let's whack a grain of salt in there," he said.

"It's Round 3, certainly we've won three games so that's pleasing. It's easy to get carried away and we're certainly not. Last year we were 2-0 so it's nice to go to 3-0, but it is a marathon and you can get ahead of yourself pretty quickly, no doubt about that. In saying that, it was a pleasing result.

"There's not too many teams that kick 10 in a quarter regularly. But we've had terrific quarters, if you talk about contest and pressure, it certainly wasn't our best, but there was some strong effort."

Brendon Goddard, Stephen Milne and Koschitzke booted four goals each, with the Saints registering a club record 15 goalkickers.

Koschitzke dedicated his game to his grandfather, who died during the week, and after one goal symbolically thumped the black armband on his left bicep.

Lyon said using Goddard, who booted the Saints opening four goals, in the forward line was a move with which he might persist.

"We've been searching for a third tall marking option and we'd done it a bit through the pre-season," he said.

"What we do know is he's a beautiful kick, Brendon, so he slotted that first one and scoreboard pressure goes straight on and it was a pleasing result. All your moves don't work, but that was one that did so that was pleasing and it adds a string to our bow.

"The coaches and players are growing together, there's wonderful team spirit, wonderful leadership from the senior group and pleasing I thought was (James) Gwilt and (Jarryn) Geary and Clint Jones, even though he got beaten (by Daniel Kerr). (And) the young players and Michael Gardiner that we've stuck by and (Sam) Gilbert, a young player and Zac Dawson took an opportunity, and the old hands got to work.

"It really makes (Matt) Maguire and Xavier Clarke and (David) Armitage and (Robert) Eddy, those types, work really hard and Raph Clarke, to bang down the door to get back in. As a coach it's a pleasing position at this point, but we know it can turn straight away."

West Coast coach John Worsfold was livid with the result, describing it as hurtful, embarrassing and disappointing.

"Those sort of losses are unacceptable to that degree," he said, later adding that the players were mentally weak. "There's no doubt we were outplayed by a far superior side, but to the extent is where it's disappointing.

"We were beaten in all facets of the game. Possessions, winning the ball, intensity, run, inside-50s."

ST KILDA: 25.11 (161)
WEST COAST: 9.10 (64)

Goals: St Kilda - Brendon Goddard, Stephen Milne, Justin Koschitzke 4 , Michael Gardiner 2, Lenny Hayes, Nick Riewoldt, Zac Dawson, Nick Dal Santo, Jarryn Geary, Jason Gram, Clinton Jones, Steven King, Leigh Montagna, Andrew McQualter, Adam Schneider. West Coast - Mark LeCras 3, Adam Hunter, Quinten Lynch, Ben McKinley 2.
Injuries: Nil.
Reports: St Kilda: N Dal Santo (St Kilda) for striking T Stenglein (West Coast) in the third quarter, N Dal Santo (St Kilda) for wrestling T Stenglein (West Coast) in the third quarter, S King (St Kilda) for striking A Hansen (West Coast) in the fourth quarter. West Coast: T Stenglein (West Coast) for wrestling N Dal Santo (St Kilda) in the third quarter.
Best: St Kilda: C Jones B Goddard L Montagna J Koschitzke S Gilbert N Dal Santo J Gram. West Coast: M Priddis M LeCras D Cox.