The win, the Saints’ first for 2011, was marked by impressive displays by key onballers Leigh Montagna and Brendon Goddard, and a standout last quarter from Nick Dal Santo that got St Kilda over the line.
"I thought our top liners really got going. Dal (Santo) broke his tag and dominated that last quarter and Goddard, Montagna, Riewoldt, Dawson - all our leaders stood up," Lyon said.
"Normally we’ve been like that for two years, those players doing that, so maybe they’ve turned the corner a little bit as well."
Montagna had 33 possessions and 10 clearances in a commanding performance, while Goddard, playing a roaming role across halfback, had 26 touches and a first quarter goal.
Another standout was Adam Schneider, who turned in one of his best displays for the Saints, kicking three goals on the back of 25 disposals and several important defensive spoils.
But Lyon was less impressed with the state of the Gabba surface.
"The conditions really surprised me to be honest, it hasn’t rained for two days and clearly the sprinklers were on the ground this morning to soften the pitch," he said.
"It was like it had been raining, that’s disappointing to be honest. It certainly wasn’t just dew, when we arrived it was wet under foot. Maybe it’s an over-reaction to the hardness and to (Gary) Ablett."
Lyon was also concerned about his side’s lack of discipline, which resulted in three goals from 50m penalties.
But the Saints coach will go into next week’s clash against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium buoyed by what he saw from his side in the fourth quarter.
"I just thought we dominated the last quarter, but that’s what we should do for the team we’re aiming to be and where they’re at in their development," he said.
"Under pressure at three-quarter time, I think we take a bit out of that. But (Alistair) Smith and (Rhys) Stanley and (Jack) Steven and (David) Armitage get to see what the business is about and understand where they need to improve.”
