1. Saints' second quarter slaughter
AFTER a competitive opening round loss against Greater Western Sydney, not even the Saints could have foreseen what they would produce against the Suns. Their second quarter was simply stunning as they ran roughshod over a team predicted to make the finals. All over the ground they swarmed like bees to honey, pressuring the Suns into mistakes that led to goals, outnumbering them at every contest, and dominating their opponents like schoolboys. St Kilda was brilliant, kicking eight goals to one on the back of 20 inside 50s to eight, and 114 disposals to 79. It was a quarter coach Alan Richardson would love to bottle.

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2. Jumping Josh Bruce more than a one-trick pony
The young Saints forward put his name up in lights last week with his skyscraper mark against former club GWS, but this week he's done it with a stunning six-goal performance. In 25 previous games, the defender-turn-forward had kicked nine goals, but against the Suns he was brilliant. Bruce, 22, kicked four in the second quarter to really get the ball rolling. He took contested marks against Rory Thompson, Steven May and Sam Day and even threw in a couple of left-footed checkside goals for fun. With 14 disposals and eight marks – six contested - it's a night he'll never forget. 

3. Another woeful outing from the Suns
After a scathing review following last week's loss against Melbourne, most thought the Suns would come out breathing fire. Their first quarter was punctuated by poor decision-making and even poorer skills, but it was what followed that would upset the coaching staff and supporters even more. Aside from a face-saving final quarter comeback, the effort was non-existent at times. Tom Lynch gave away a 50m penalty that led to a goal, Harley Bennell turned over a handpass in his defensive 50 that led to another, and Nick Malceski stepped on the line when kicking-in from a behind – it was another night to forget.

4. Saints are better than most gave them credit for
They were predicted by many to finish with the wooden spoon, and while two rounds is a small sample, there's no doubt St Kilda are a far superior team to 2014. Their midfield are relentless runners in both directions and in Bruce and Tim Membrey they now have some support for Nick Riewoldt in the front half. With a fit and rejuvenated Sam Fisher in defence, there's plenty to like. Collingwood at the MCG next Friday night suddenly looks a winnable game.

5. Suns' soft underbelly is becoming a habit
It's not just the first two rounds Gold Coast have rolled over with little more than a yelp of effort, but look back a little further and the evidence is even more damning. In the final seven rounds of last season, on four occasions their effort wavered between minimal and non-existent – against the Western Bulldogs, Brisbane Lions, Carlton and West Coast. For all their talent, the midfield just doesn't work hard enough when they don't have the ball. Being labelled insipid is a tag no team wants, but the Suns are now tasked with shaking it – and it can only happen through hard work, something they're not showing often enough.