The Saints fell away in the last quarter after leading by 47 points early in the term, but the match could have been all over at half time after the Saints butchered the ball in front of goal to have 7.14 (with a couple of complete misses) on the board at the long break.
Despite his side’s inaccuracy, Lyon said he was happy with the way the team battled through the lack of results on the scoreboard.
"The last quarter was disappointing, but we thought to that point it had been a strong performance against what is a quality team," he said after the match.
"But [the poor kicking at goal] didn't affect us, which you'll take. Our effort wasn't dictated by the scoreboard, and that's what we're about.
"I think it's a sign of where we're at at the minute – we're competing regardless of whether we're kicking straight or we're behind or we're in front. We want to keep competing.
"You want reward for effort, but in saying that, if you keep supplying enough opportunities, eventually they go through."
Perhaps cognisant of St Kilda's recent history of promising much and delivering little in September, Lyon is refusing to even discuss finals, let alone the premiership, after just six rounds.
He also refused to concede that the impressive win over the Dogs, who sat fourth at the start of the weekend, was their most impressive top-team scalp so far.
"We haven't even made the finals yet,” he said.
"I think everyone's a bit flippant in their analysis of opponents – we've played teams that had been winning; we've played teams that have played in the finals.
"There's not an easy game in AFL footy, and the ladder tells you that. How many teams are on 3-3? I think there's eight.
"Clearly, Geelong are the benchmark team in the competition, and Hawthorn have been decimated with injuries and they've got themselves to 3-3, so everyone else is chasing those two. We're no different."
