The terrific news is that gun midfielder Lenny Hayes is a good chance to be available for round 14.
Hayes went off the ground just before the first break, and despite intensive efforts by the Saints' medical staff during the second term, surrendered to the injury before half time and the ice was packed on.
But coach Ross Lyon was bullish about the prospects of the 28-year-old returning for next weekend's clash with North Melbourne on the Gold Coast.
"He and (Nick) Riewoldt just really led the charge – he's a special player, he's just starting to get back to his best," Lyon said after the match.
"We're confident – it's a sort of back spasm – we're pretty confident he'll get up.
"It was referred down his back to his hammies – if it was a grand final he probably would have come back on.
"He's a good chance – they do pretty good things. No guarantee, but he's a pretty good chance."
But Lyon wasn't as effusive about the outcome of the match, despite the win, although he did find a trio of high points.
"It was pleasing, but we can't get carried away," he said. "It was another home-and-away and we're 5-7 and they're what, 2-11?
"I'd probably run with three. Our leadership – our captain and vice-captain (Riewoldt and Hayes respectively) really led, and then the evergreens in (Robert) Harvey, (Max) Hudghton and Sam Fisher really led exceptionally well, led the kids, and you could just see how excited they were before the game, to see (Ben) McEvoy.
"We handed out the jumpers and Riewoldt hands out the jumpers and made a speech.
"There was just a real vibrancy that we all felt and clearly invigorated our leaders, and I thought it showed all night, the spirit.
"We competed really well – the contested ball – with nine players under 20, we won, and we out-tackled the opposition.
"They were the aims going in, and we achieved them, so we were really pleased."
