In front of 81,836 fans at the MCG, St Kilda found itself in the unfamiliar position of trying to claw back a large deficit against a committed and steadfast opponent.
The effort was in vain though as constant skill errors and wastefulness in front of goal saw the Saints leapfrogged by Collingwood on the ladder, and with Geelong left in a three-way tussle for premiership favouritism.
“There’s not too many times we’re in that position; normally we’re right in the game, but they were harder than us and a bit smarter than us,” Fisher said.
Asked if the result was a shot of reality for a side coming off seven straight wins, Fisher said: “It’s a bit early to tell; we’ll obviously sit down with the coaches and go through the game. Ross [Lyon] said he’s not going to let us of the hook.
“He’s not going to put it away; he’s going to review the game like normal and we’ll try to take the [lessons] out of it and try to find out why we did perform how we did.”
Fisher (33 disposals) was the best player in a St Kilda defence that struggled to contain an unconventional but effective Collingwood forward line.
Journeyman Leigh Brown and youngster Brent Macaffer were the unlikely heroes in attack for Collingwood as the pair bagged three goals each and took full advantage of the pressure applied by their teammates.
“I just think their pressure and the way they closed us down and tackled probably forced us into turning it over,” Fisher said.
“We weren’t as slick with the ball as we normally are, and I think they’ve kicked 11 goals from turnovers, so that shows the pressure made us turn it over. Full credit to the way they played.
“They’re smart and the way the way they pressed back on us and they out-tackled us by 15 or 20 - that is rare but we’ll bounce back this week and try to turn it around.”
St Kilda now face a firing Hawthorn outfit on Friday night at Etihad Stadium in what looms as a big decider in the final makeup of the top eight.
