ST KILDA will rue a poor first quarter following this afternoon’s 53-point loss to West Coast at Etihad Stadium.

Lightning threatened to strike for the second time in three weeks in the second and third terms, with the Saints mounting a spirited comeback after trailing by 37 points at quarter time.

But unlike the Western Bulldogs game a fortnight ago, the Eagles hung in their when the momentum was against them. Josh Kennedy and Josh Hill were threats up forward all afternoon, while Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff and Matt Priddis were industrious in the midfield.

St Kilda’s engine room, led by Jack Steven and David Armitage was again prolific. Steven amassed 36 disposals and laid 12 tackles, while stand-in skipper Armitage continued his run of form with a further 32-possession outing.

Leigh Montagna, having played just two games this season, faded late after racking up 22 disposals in the first half. Nevertheless, the 31-year-old’s ability to find space and provide options undoubtedly made St Kilda a more dangerous offensive team. Liam Duggan and substitute Scott Selwood paid close attention to Montagna in the third and fourth terms which reduced his output. The veteran still finished with 33 possessions - a promising return. 

Defender Dylan Roberton fought hard as the spare man in defence and plugged gaps – as did Maverick Weller on Mark LeCras, but it was West Coast’s ball movement forward of centre that proved the difference. 

Momentum is not just intangible, it is also unpredictable. And when the Saints had it they looked bold and daring. But when West Coast had it, they looked unbeatable. The Eagles are not flat track bullies, because even when St Kilda controlled the flow of the game, it was the Eagles who were forced to answer accordingly.

The first term was grossly one-sided. Adam Simpson's men amassed 19 inside 50s for seven goals and probably should have kicked a few more. St Kilda looked lifeless by comparison and mustered just seven inside 50s for one major.

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But as was the case against the Western Bulldogs, Alan Richardson’s words inspired the Saints into action. Richardson would be the first to admit that his team should not require a stern talking to in order to play good footy, but the reality is that when their performance has been underwhelming in 2015, it is Richardson who has the ability to crack his whip effectively.

In other words, when Richardson talks, the players listen – and there is almost no greater compliment for a coach than that.

St Kilda’s second term fightback should have been more predictable given the result a fortnight ago, but it wasn’t. Steven, Montagna and Armitage led the charge through the midfield, while Josh Bruce and Tom Hickey began to work well together as a duo up forward.

Jack Billings and Jack Sinclair had just three disposals between them in the first term. But in the second quarter the two ex-Scotch Collegians registered eight apiece, with Sinclair also booting a goal.

All of a sudden St Kilda’s run and ball use improved considerably. Where previously the Saints had been stagnant in offence, they were now constantly on the move.

Four goals were kicked in the first six minutes of the third term, with Jamie Cripps and Josh Kennedy’s cancelling out Tim Membrey’s and Shane Savage’s. Ultimately the contest opening up favoured the away team rather than the Saints. 

Jimmy Webster was subbed off at half-time with concussion due to a swinging elbow from Elliot Yeo, and was replaced by Blake Acres, who looked lively in his hour of game time and registered 10 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency.

It wasn’t a like-for-like replacement, and it left St Kilda without once of its most polished ball users in the back half. Consequently, Jack Newnes and Acres himself were forced to spend more time in the back half. 

Ultimately the 53-point margin probably reflected the flow of the game, although for a brief period Saints fans dared to dream. With just seven points separating the two teams midway through the third quarter, the dream was becoming a reality. Upon reflection, the fairytale was nothing more than a fleeting glimmer of optimism.

Today was yet another illustration that while the future is bright, it will take time to reach the summit. 

ST KILDA: 12.6 (78)

WEST COAST: 12.11 (131)

BEST: Steven, Armitage, Roberton, Montagna, Billings, Savage

GOALS: Bruce 2, Weller 2, Sinclair 2, Schneider, Newnes, Roberton, Savage, Templeton, Membrey

SUB: Blake Acres replaced Jimmy Webster (concussion) in the third quarter