ST KILDA has separated itself from the winless pack, but has work to do to fulfil its finals ambitions after an ugly 31-point win against a resilient Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Given an almighty scare by the Lions in the third quarter, the Saints were able to settle in the fourth and kick away to win their first match for the season 14.23 (107) to 11.10 (76).  

The final margin flattered Alan Richardson's men, who kicked four of the last five goals of the game to cover for what was a wasteful performance in front of goal, kicking 3.6 in the second quarter and 2.6 in the third.

Champion Nick Riewoldt sparked the Saints into action in a remarkable return from a knee injury, covering for his team's midfield losses to finish with 28 possessions, 12 marks and three goals.

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Veteran Leigh Montagna, who took the chance to waste valuable seconds with a final quarter goal in the goalsquare, was also prominent with 30 possessions and seven inside 50s, and Seb Ross (23) battled hard.    

Their work was wasted in attack, however, as Josh Bruce (1.4), Tim Membrey (1.3) and Jade Gresham (1.3) struggled to convert under the roof.

The absence of star midfielder Jack Steven (punctured lung) was keenly felt, with the Saints' ball-movement out of stoppages suffering, but they found a way.

"I think the pressure on the group, the expectation to win, you're 0-2, I thought the group showed a bit of maturity to be composed in the last quarter," coach Alan Richardson said. 

"There were periods when Brisbane were at their best with their pressure that we didn't quite cope and we're disappointed with that."

The Lions' were superbly led by captain Dayne Beams (30 possessions and a goal) and former skipper Tom Rockliff (28 and 13 clearances), while ruckman Stef Martin (21 disposals and 44 hit-outs) won his battle with Tom Hickey.  

Half-back Daniel Rich had a game-high 32 possessions and pushed up the ground to wreak havoc with his long kicking in a classy performance.

The visitors also unveiled prized draftees Hugh McCluggage (14 possessions) and Jarrod Berry (eight and one goal), who both showed signs of their class.

Chris Fagan has been working with his players on the importance of rebounding from mistakes, and he got a good indication of his progress on that front on Sunday.

The Lions put in their worst 20 minutes of football for the season in the second quarter, repeatedly turning the ball over, fumbling and handballing to teammates under pressure.

They conceded 3.5 in that period and looked destined for a heavy loss, but showed resilience and turned the tide, finishing the quarter with their best 10 minutes of the first half.

Mitch Robinson and Josh Schache each took marks inside 50 – the team's first two for the game – and converted set shots, while Dayne Zorko kicked a magnificent goal on the run from outside 50.

They entered the half-time break trailing by 18 points, but at least having shown that the calamitous football of the previous 20 minutes wasn't all they could produce.

It proved a turning point in the match, which turned from a one-sided eye sore to a compelling arm-wrestle in the second half as the Lions continued their run.

Fagan's men were more accountable in defence and more direct with the ball in their hands, growing in belief with every passing minute.

Debutant Berry had his big moment when he converted a 45m set shot that cut the margin to six points.

When Mitch Robinson took advantage of a St Kilda turnover and ran in to snap the Lions' sixth consecutive goal the visitors had the lead for the first time all day.

Typically it was Riewoldt who led the Saints' response and they entered the final break with an eight-point lead but plenty of work to do to see off the gutsy Lions.

"It was one of those games where when we actually did what we planned to do against St Kilda, we were well and truly in the game," Fagan said. 

"They might have got to five or six goals in front and we were probably lucky that they didn’t kick accurately during that period of time. 

"Then we found our mojo, we started working hard, we started using the ball with intelligence and we found ourselves back in front, but we were unable to sustain that." 

MEDICAL ROOM

St Kilda: Half-back Dylan Roberton left the ground during the fourth quarter after a heavy knock to his shoulder, but was able to return with five minutes to play. The Saints were otherwise unscathed.
Brisbane Lions: Darcy Gardiner suffered a heavy cork to his right quad early in the first quarter and couldn't return after ice was applied to some heavy swelling. 

UP NEXT
The Saints face a rejuvenated Collingwood next Sunday at Etihad Stadium, where they have lost their past three games against the Magpies. The Lions host a 3-0 Richmond at the Gabba and will hope to end a nine-game losing streak against the Tigers.  

ST KILDA                   4.4       7.10    9.16    14.23 (107)
BRISBANE LIONS     1.2       5.4       9.8       11.10 (76)

GOALS
St Kilda: Riewoldt 3, Weller 2, Savage, Dunstan, Montagna, Acres, Membrey, Geary, Gresham, Bruce, Steele
Brisbane Lions: Robinson 2, Schache 2, Zorko, Beams, Rich, Bewick, Berry, Bell, Taylor

BEST 
St Kilda: Riewoldt, Montagna, Dunstan, Ross, Newnes, Geary
Brisbane Lions: Beams, Rich, Martin, Rockliff, Mayes, Cutler

INJURIES 
St Kilda: Nil
Brisbane Lions: Gardiner (quad)

Reports: Nil 

Umpires: Donlon, O'Gorman, Harris 

Official crowd: 23,097 at Etihad Stadium