FREMANTLE'S winless start to the AFL season has continued at Etihad Stadium, with St Kilda rallying late to triumph by 34 points.

The Saints kicked the final nine goals of a topsy-turvy tussle on Saturday to prevail 15.11 (101) to 10.7 (67).

The result inflicted more misery on last year's minor premiers, who had threatened to open their 2016 account after a withering quarter-time spray from coach Ross Lyon.

Full match coverage and stats

The visitors piled on six consecutive goals to take control of the contest, only for the Saints to respond in style.

Fremantle have a golden chance to finally bank some premiership points next Saturday when they host Essendon.

Victory can't come soon enough for Lyon.

Not since Footscray opened the 1939 VFL season with 10 straight losses has a club finished in the top four then started their next campaign so poorly.

Game breaker: Inspirational Roo guides Saints

St Kilda regained the lead when Maverick Weller kicked truly with 12 minutes remaining and never looked back.

David Armitage was the leading best-on-ground contender, tallying a game-high 17 tackles, seven clearances and 28 disposals.

Jack Steven, Leigh Montagna and Nick Riewoldt were also influential, while Tim Membrey booted three goals for the hosts.

Saints coach Alan Richardson was disappointed with how his side allowed Freo back into the game in the second quarter.

"Normally they have a bit of a spell and we collect our thoughts as coaches," he said .

"This was one of those conversations that I needed to get the group together (quickly).

"We'd let ourselves down ... at half-time we were as bad as I reckon we've been (at) centre bounce, clearances.

"They were harder, more committed. That's a choice.

"That was frustrating and the great thing about us having the conversation at half-time, as opposed to the end of the game, is we can do something about it."

Five talking points: St Kilda v Fremantle

Lyon tore strips off his players after a listless start.

Fremantle were woeful in the first term, conceding the opening four goals of the game without so much as a whimper.

They trailed by 28 points at one stage.

Lyon was furious with the fact St Kilda laid 20 more tackles in the first term despite winning so much of the ball.

"The first quarter was terrible," Lyon said.

"We weren't hunting the ball and tackling so I got them in a circle at quarter-time.

"Put them in their divisions and just said we're not accepting it as a football club ... we need to dig in.

"They were pretty simple messages.

"Clearly some right things were mentioned and clearly they listened ... we really responded."

Lachie Neale led an impressive response from the Dockers but the Saints stepped up when the game was in the balance.

Experienced Saints Sam Fisher, Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna sing the club song. Picture: AFL Media

ST KILDA                5.4       6.8      7.9       15.11   (101)                  
FREMANTLE          3.0       7.1      10.4     10.7      (67)           

GOALS
St Kilda: Membrey 3, McCartin 2, Riewoldt 2, Bruce 2, Newnes, Armitage, Murdoch, Steven, Weller, Gresham
Fremantle: Weller 2, Langdon 2, Taberner 2, Walters, Pavlich, Sheridan, Neale 

BEST 
St Kilda: Steven, Armitage, Riewoldt, Fisher, Geary
Fremantle: Neale, Barlow, Hill, Blakely, Crozier

INJURIES 
St Kilda: Nil
Fremantle: Sutcliffe (ankle)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Donlon, Stephens, Edwards

Official crowd: 17,927 at Etihad Stadium