ST KILDA has held off a much-improved Brisbane at Etihad Stadium, kicking away late to start the post-Nick Riewoldt era with a 25-point win in an entertaining clash on Saturday afternoon.
The Saints were given a scare by last season's wooden spooners, with the margin cut to six points early in the final term, but they steadied impressively to kick five of the last six goals and win 16.11 (107) to 12.10 (82).
It was just the second time the club has won its season opener in the past eight seasons as coach Alan Richardson hopes to drive the club back into the finals after a six-year absence.
Midfielder Jack Steven was the star for the Saints, breaking the game open with his speed through the midfield and finishing with 34 possessions, six inside
He was well supported by Blake Acres (30 and a goal), while inside midfielder Seb Ross (32 and seven inside
Half-forward Jack Billings (26) had a day out, getting on the end of the Saints' rapid ball movement to kick two goals and setting up a number of others in an impressive start to the season.
St Kilda's focus on playing on and getting the ball inside 50 quickly suited the young star, who relished the wide open spaces and applied relentless defensive pressure, finishing with 2.3.
The forward line functioned well without Riewoldt, with Tim Membrey (2.3) and Josh Bruce (2.0) stepping up at important times, with the inaccuracy that has plagued the team not a major issue.
There was a lot to like about the Lions early in their second season under Fagan, with the visitors enjoying periods of ascendancy and looking a genuine chance at one point in the fourth quarter.
They controlled the stoppages during the third quarter to get their noses in front, with captain Dayne Beams (26 and seven clearances) and Nick Robertson (27 and five) excellent at the coalface.
Champion recruit Luke Hodge made an immediate impact at his second club, finishing with 25 possessions while playing as a general across half-back.
Last year's No.1 pick Cam Rayner also provided a highlight, bursting sideways into space and snapping his first AFL goal early in the third quarter.
Adelaide recruit Charlie Cameron booted three goals in his first game with the Lions, while ruckman Stefan Martin was dominant at the stoppages with 42 hit-outs as the Lions won the clearances 44-27.
The Saints' game plan was clear early as they handballed and played on at every opportunity under the Etihad Stadium roof, getting the ball inside 50 as quickly as possible.
It resulted in close range goals, with their first four of the match coming in scrappy fashion from inside 15m.
The influence of Hodge, who spent a lot of time directing teammates, was stopping the floodgates from breaking open early.
With key forward Eric Hipwood quiet and club champion Dayne Zorko struggling to shake minder Koby Stevens, the Lions lacked a spark, but they were able to slow the Saints in the second term and enter the main break nine points behind.
The spark the Lions were missing arrived in the third term, with their clearance domination translating on the scoreboard, but St Kilda was able to respond and avoid some difficult questions.
ST KILDA 6.4 7.5 11.8 16.11 (107)
BRISBANE 3.3 5.8 9.10 12.10 (82)
GOALS
St Kilda: Gresham 3, Bruce 3, Billings 2, Membrey 2, Steven 2, Acres, Clark, Long, McCartin
Brisbane: Cameron 3, Berry 3, Bell, Rayner, Christensen, Hipwood, Robinson, Walker
BEST
St Kilda: Steven, Billings, Acres, Newnes, Ross, Stevens
Brisbane: D.Beams, Cameron, Berry, Martin, Hodge, Robertson
INJURIES
St Kilda: Nil
Brisbane: Rich (left ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon,
Official crowd: 23,731 at Etihad Stadium
