The Saints withstood a late Carlton charge to rally, eventually winning by 32 points, and Hayes was mindful that his team was still searching for a four-quarter effort.
“We are still a little bit inconsistent in games which is something we can get better at,” Hayes said.
“I still don’t think we’ve played our best footy but we are building … the last couple of weeks have been a real team effort in the three wins.
“That’s what we need and that’s what we’ve produced again tonight,”
“I just thought it was a good team effort all over the park.”
For the second game running, the Saints were able to peg back an opponent that took the early honours, which was a pleasing aspect of the contest according to the gun midfielder, who was influential with his 22 disposals .
“They jumped us early in the first quarter and were winning the contested footy, but I thought we fought back in that area, started winning the clearances and it started to click for us.”
Hayes said the final term was pleasing, despite letting the Blues fight back from 33 points down to get within seven points early on.
Carlton’s captain Chris Judd was at the centre of the comeback with three early clearances and Hayes said it had quickly become apparent that they had to lift in that area.
“[Judd] is a class player and he showed it again tonight,” Hayes said.
“He is a freak but we just had to really work on getting the next clearance when they got those three out of the middle.
“They started winning the ball around the stoppages and got a bit of a run on, but the way we fought back and steadied the ship was pleasing.”
Hayes said the recruitment of Geelong premiership ruckman Steven King had helped the team enormously.
“He is a class ruckman and it certainly makes it a lot easier when he is putting it down your throat in the middle.
“Look we work pretty hard on these things at training so it is good that they come off in the game.
“He is a seasoned campaigner and he was great again. He is a first-year player at the club but it hasn’t stopped him from being a leader and helping the young guys.”
The Saints face Hawthorn next week at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.
