ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon says a poor midfield showing was the main reason for his side's fadeout against the Western Bulldogs.

The Saints led by six goals at quarter-time but ended up losing by 38 points, which Lyon said can be traced back to the midfield.

"It is dramatic and clearly we've got some concerns. The facts of it are laid bare – after quarter time we were obliterated in the midfield at clearances and ground ball," Lyon said.

"It's an annihilation in the contest through the midfield. Games are won and lost in the midfield."

Lyon said he was prepared for a Bulldogs comeback after the Saints' early dominance when they took a 37-point lead into the first break.

"We knew they would improve at the contested ball, we knew they'd improve at the clearances and we knew that if you don't man them up when they win it, they score heavily," Lyon said.

"We fell down in the three basics – contest, pressure and use."

Lyon said he would address his team's midfield concerns at the selection table before the round-four clash against Geelong.

"It gives us a real opportunity for a couple of players in our seconds to come into consideration. There's Clint Jones, Charlie Gardiner and Sean Dempster. [David] Armitage has been good for us.

There are a few blokes who didn't do what we wanted, we'll run them over until we get the competitive boost that we want."

One of the few positives for Lyon was the form of Brendon Goddard in his first game back from a knee reconstruction.

Goddard was one of St Kilda's best and finished with 20 possessions and 10 marks.

"I really complimented Brendon after the game on his difficult circumstances, what he was able to do coming off a reco. We know it takes time but I thought under adversity he contributed really strongly," Lyon said.

The Saints coach denied suggestions his players had problems making decisions under pressure.

"Everyone struggles under extreme pressure," Lyon said. "I think we proved that in the first quarter with the Bulldogs.

"When you're winning the ball, you look confident and slick. When you're trying to get it back off them and coming through congestion it's quite difficult."

Ruckman Michael Gardiner was a late withdrawal from the game with a calf complaint, but Lyon said he was a chance to return after one week on the sidelines.

"He'll be ready next week but it's whether we take that risk off a minor soft tissue injury," Lyon said.