ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon says it's too early to assess whether Saturday night's outstanding comeback win over Hawthorn was his best achievement since taking on the club's senior job.

All Lyon would confirm at his post-match media conference after his side came from a 34-point deficit in the second term, before recording a five-goal win, was that the victory was particularly important in the overall course of the year.

"It's so quickly after the game. It was a really pleasing win, because of the quality of the opposition and the fact that we'd come from behind, and in the context of the season, so it was a critical result," Lyon said.

"There's no respite, so all it means (is) we stay in the hunt to force our way into the eight, if we keep winning. But, it's a long season, so it's hard for the Hawthorn Football Club, who have been obviously fantastic, to stay up all year.

"For them, a second-half fade out, I don't think is a major issue. So for us it was pleasing and, for them, I think they'll go away and they've had a super year, so we're respectful of the year they've had, but obviously we're pleased with the win.

"But we're not getting too carried away, because at some point they were going to have a quieter second half and last quarter, where they've been super, so it was important for us and we're respectful of what they've achieved and we'll enjoy the next couple of hours."

Lyon said his side was not in a position to drop any matches if it wants to play finals in September.

"We're in the hunt, but if you stop winning, you're in trouble, so it's a clear objective and we need to keep winning. But obviously in the form we're in, that's four in a row, so we're building in confidence and we feel like we're getting the basics right more often," Lyon said.

The coach said praised the performance of Jason Blake, who gave the Saints "a boost in the ruck" and key defender Max Hudghton, who was "in pretty good nick" with his efforts on boom Hawk Lance Franklin.

And on Nick Riewoldt, Lyon hinted the St Kilda skipper was best-on-ground.

"Clearly he was given the medal, so he led really well. His work-rate enables him to always contribute to the team and sometimes that work-rate will allow him to kick six, and sometimes it'll be three, but you know he'll always be there," Lyon said.

"He's a significant leader of this team, as is Lenny Hayes, and from there, everyone jumps in behind him.

"I rate him highly nearly every week and his efforts are unquestioned and there's a reason why he carries the mantle at our club and that was self-evident tonight, so he doesn't need me to talk about him."