IF CARLTON thought last week was long, this one might feel like it lasts an eternity.

A ninth defeat in 10 matches will do that to you. And losing again in this particular manner, testing a resilient St Kilda side only to fall narrowly short, will only rub salt into the wounds.

The Blues' big problem was that the Saints were by no means brilliant on Sunday afternoon, and they didn't have to be in order to eventually scrap to an uncomfortable 13-point win.

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Their 9.14 (68) to 8.7 (55) victory means only percentage separates the Saints from an unlikely spot in the AFL's top eight after round 10. Much, much further down the ladder, it's a result that heaps yet more pressure on beleaguered Blues coach Brendon Bolton.

For a side sick of 'honourable losses', such a result does little to ease angst among the fans.

Once again, the team got too little from too few. Talented midfield duo Patrick Cripps (28 disposals, seven clearances) and Sam Walsh (28 disposals, five clearances) were among the best in a gruelling encounter, but beyond them the production was too slim.

St Kilda, on the other hand, had a far more even spread of contributors.

Jade Gresham (29 disposals, three goal assists) and Jack Steele (27 disposals, 10 tackles) were the dominant performers, but collectively the Saints always appeared to have the upper hand on an opponent that seemingly can't buy a win in season 2019.

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Their performances helped the Saints see off a fired-up Blues – who flew the flag on a few occasions and turned that into a threat going forward at other, more rare intervals.

If the Blues were criticised for their lack of response to the physicality of the Giants last week, then they were out to prove a point with their early intentions at Marvel Stadium.

That ferocity was soon matched on the scoreboard, kicking three of the first four goals, but the all-too-familiar Carlton tale was on the verge of being retold.

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Silly skill errors were compounded by poor decisions with the ball, as St Kilda piled on the next four majors on either side of quarter-time to quickly rein in the early deficit.

In a game where both sides lacked control, Josh Bruce's goal on the stroke of half-time – which put St Kilda three points to the good – had the feel of a potentially defining moment.

Indeed, that proved the case almost immediately after the restart.

As the Blues continued to struggle moving the ball with any fluidity, the Saints kicked clear.

Another run of four consecutive goals put Alan Richardson's side 23 points ahead, creating a handy buffer that a stagnant and impotent Carlton would find difficult to peg back.

Not that they didn't huff and puff.

Repeat entries, albeit a few ugly and scuffed ones, eventually paid dividends. The Blues reduced the deficit to five points midway through the final term, but left it too late.

Matthew Parker's set-shot with minutes remaining settled St Kilda nerves after a flurry of missed chances, ensuring their spot in an ever-expanding race for September footy.

Carlton, on the other hand, is left licking its wounds at 1-9 on the season. While the effort and intensity can't be questioned – this week at least – almost everything else can. 

MEDICAL ROOM
St Kilda: The Saints walked away without any notable injury concerns.

Carlton: Mitch McGovern went to the rooms midway through the final quarter after tweaking his ankle. The big forward looked in some pain as he left the ground. Jack Silvagni limped from the field late in the match with what appeared to be a calf complaint. 

NEXT UP
St Kilda makes the long journey to China to face Port Adelaide in Shanghai next Sunday, while Carlton heads across to the MCG to meet traditional rivals Essendon.

ST KILDA    2.2   5.7   8.10   9.14 (68)
CARLTON    3.4   5.4   6.6    8.7 (55)

GOALS
St Kilda: Membrey 2, Bruce 2, Parker 2, Dunstan, Phillips, Newnes, 
Carlton: C.Curnow 2, Gibbons 2, McKay, Newman

BEST
St Kilda: Gresham, Steele, Dunstan, Ross, Wilkie, Membrey
Carlton: Cripps, Simpson, C.Curnow, Walsh, E.Curnow

INJURIES 
St Kilda: TBC
Carlton: McGovern (ankle)

Reports: Ben Long (St Kilda) for rough conduct on Levi Casboult. Luke Dunstan (St Kilda) for striking Michael Gibbons.

Umpires: Fisher, Deboy, Fleer

Official crowd: 35,058 at Marvel Stadium