ST KILDA has held off a much-improved Brisbane at Etihad Stadium, kicking away late to start the post-Nick Riewoldt era with a 25-point win in an entertaining clash on Saturday afternoon.
The Saints were given a scare by last season's wooden spooners, with the margin cut to six points early in the final term, but they steadied impressively to kick five of the last six goals and win 16.11 (107) to 12.10 (82).
Five talking points: St Kilda v Brisbane
It was just the second time the club has won its season opener in the past eight seasons as coach Alan Richardson hopes to drive the club back into the finals after a six-year absence.
Midfielder Jack Steven was the star for the Saints, breaking the game open with his speed through the midfield and finishing with 34 possessions, six inside 50s and two goals.
WATCH: Elite Steven provides A-grade game
He was well supported by Blake Acres (30 and a goal), while inside midfielder Seb Ross (32 and seven inside 50s) lifted magnificently in the final term to get the ball going the Saints' way.
Half-forward Jack Billings (26) had a day out, getting on the end of the Saints' rapid ball movement to kick two goals and setting up a number of others in an impressive start to the season.
St Kilda's focus on playing on and getting the ball inside 50 quickly suited the young star, who repeatedly got free behind Brisbane's defence and applied relentless defensive pressure, finishing with 2.3.
WATCH: Billings skill leads to impressive goal
The forward line functioned well without Riewoldt, with Tim Membrey (2.3) and Josh Bruce (2.0) stepping up at important times, with the inaccuracy that has plagued the team not a major issue.
"I thought the guys showed a lot of character," Richardson said.
"The Lions probably got the better of us, in fact definitely, in and around clearance, (but) I thought our outside footy was really positive.
"Our ability to be able to generate turnover and score and go back off that turnover was positive … we've still got a bit of room to move on the inside."
WATCH: Steven's solo effort sparks Saints
There was a lot to like about the Lions early in their second season under Fagan, with the visitors enjoying periods of ascendancy and looking a genuine chance at one point in the fourth quarter.
They controlled the stoppages during the third quarter to get their noses in front, with captain Dayne Beams (26 and seven clearances) and Nick Robertson (27 and five) excellent at the coalface.
Champion recruit Luke Hodge made an immediate impact at his second club, finishing with 25 possessions while playing as a general across half-back.
Last year's No.1 pick Cam Rayner also provided a highlight, bursting sideways into space and snapping his first AFL goal early in the third quarter.
Adelaide recruit Charlie Cameron booted three goals in his first game with the Lions, while ruckman Stefan Martin was dominant at the stoppages with 42 hit-outs as the Lions won the clearances 44-27.
WATCH: Charlie curls one home for Lions
While the Lions kicked seven goals to four from stoppages, the Saints kicked 48 more points than their opponents from turnovers. That was the game in a nutshell.
"I thought we made too many mistakes with the ball that caused turnovers and we had to run pretty hard for most of the game to get the ball back," Fagan said.
"That might have caught up with us.
"St Kilda just used the ball better by foot than we did. We tried to go a little too fast and turned the ball over, and it's very difficult to set up your defensive action when that happens."
The Saints' game plan was clear early as they handballed and played on at every opportunity under the Etihad Stadium roof, getting the ball inside 50 as quickly as possible.
It resulted in close range goals, with their first four of the match coming in scrappy fashion from inside 15m.
The influence of Hodge, who spent a lot of time directing teammates, was stopping the floodgates from breaking open early.
With key forward Eric Hipwood quiet and club champion Dayne Zorko struggling to shake minder Koby Stevens, the Lions lacked a spark, but they were able to slow the Saints in the second term and enter the main break nine points behind.
Brisbane also lost key defensive playmaker Daniel Rich to an ankle injury in the second quarter.
WATCH: Rich hobbled and leaves in pain
The spark the Lions were missing arrived in the third term, with their clearance domination translating on the scoreboard, but St Kilda was able to respond and avoid some difficult questions.
Debutant Hunter Clark gets a shower from his teammates after the Saints' win. Picture: AFL Photos
MEDICAL ROOM
St Kilda: Blake Acres needed attention for a hand injury in the second quarter but was able to play on and have a significant impact. Defender Nathan Brown also spent time with trainers having his left hamstring worked on but played out the match.
Brisbane: Defender Daniel Rich was helped off by trainers early in the second quarter and taken straight to the rooms with an ankle injury. He attempted to return, doing some short run-throughs on the boundary, but was proppy and did not take any further part in the game.
NEXT UP
The Saints have replaced the Western Bulldogs on Good Friday and will play North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium in the feature match, with the chance to start 2-0 for the first time since 2014. The Lions return home to the Gabba and will host Melbourne, a team it hasn't beaten since 2014.
ST KILDA 6.4 7.5 11.8 16.11 (107)
BRISBANE 3.3 5.8 9.10 12.10 (82)
GOALS
St Kilda: Gresham 3, Bruce 3, Billings 2, Membrey 2, Steven 2, Acres, Clark, Long, McCartin
Brisbane: Cameron 3, Berry 3, Bell, Rayner, Christensen, Hipwood, Robinson, Walker
BEST
St Kilda: Steven, Billings, Acres, Ross, Newnes, Stevens
Brisbane: D.Beams, Martin, Cameron, Berry, Hodge, Robertson
INJURIES
St Kilda: Nil
Brisbane: Rich (left ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Haussen, Stephens
Official crowd: 23,731 at Etihad Stadium
