Hawthorn won by 116 points last Sunday, but this was bigger and better.
After another week of off-field scrutiny at Hawthorn following the departure of CEO Justin Reeves and amid the ongoing investigation into allegations of historical racism at the club, James Sicily produced a true captain's performance to drag the Hawks over the line to win by 10 points at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The reigning Peter Crimmins Medallist produced the game of his life to lead the Hawks to the 12.16 (88) to 12.6 (78) win, their second in as many weeks.
The game looked over when Dan Butler put St Kilda 20 points up when he kicked the first goal of the final quarter, but the Hawks kicked the next five goals to leave the Saints in their wake.
With less than three minutes left on the clock, Jacob Koschitzke marked and converted to give Sam Mitchell’s side the lead for the first time since the second quarter, before Luke Breust slotted his third of the day in the final minute to quash any hope the Saints had of their own comeback.
But Saturday's win was all about Sicily.
A week after Collingwood skipper Darcy Moore tore Carlton apart from the defence, the Hawthorn captain produced an even better performance to help Hawthorn record back-to-back wins and just a third win of the year.
The 28-year-old amassed 42 disposals – nine more than his previous best – to go with 21 intercept possessions, 17 contested possessions, 11 score involvements and 628m gained in one of the most dominant displays produced by a defender in 2023.
Hawthorn’s midfield completely outplayed St Kilda for most of the game. They collected 68 more disposals, 15 more inside 50s and won contested ball by 14. If not for wayward kicking in the first half, they would have led for most of the game, instead of St Kilda.
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06:02
RD13 | All the goals v Sydney
Watch every goal from St Kilda's SCG win over Sydney in Round 13.
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01:04
RD13 | Wanganeen-Milera all class in the Harbour City
Watch some of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's silkiest moments against Sydney in Round 13.
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14:07
RD13 | Mini-Match: Sydney v St Kilda
Extended highlights of the Swans and Saints clash in round 13.
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02:20
RD13 | They're back! Mitch & Marcus reunite at the SCG
Mitch Owens takes the mic to interview Marcus Windhager upon his return to the senior side against Sydney.
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01:50
RD13 | 'It was bloody hard work': Sinclair post-game
Jack Sinclair spoke to STK Media following St Kilda's hard-fought win against Sydney on the road.
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09:01
RD13 | 'The truth sets you free, right?' | Lyon post-game press conference
Watch St Kilda's press conference after round 13's match against Sydney.
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00:48
RD13 | King brings it home with super sealer
Max King puts the icing on the cake with this brilliant finish on the run.
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00:33
RD13 | Team song
OWEN WHO?!! Watch the Saints belt out the song after their 14-point win over the Swans.
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00:38
RD13 | Owens always knows where the sticks are
Mitch Owens shows his fine polish around the goals with this awesome snap on the left.
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01:01
RD13 | Wondrous Wilkie on 'daunting' task for Buddy's 350th
Callum Wilkie chats to Channel 7 as he and the Saints come away with the four points in what was Lance Franklin's 350th game.
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01:04
RD13 | King commends 'gritty win', making the most of prime-time
Max King joins Channel 7 post-game to discuss the Saints' win over the Swans, his return to football and immediate impact, plus more.
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01:37
RD13 | Sinclair on breaking SCG hoodoo, getting back on the winners list
Jack Sinclair speaks to Channel 7 in the immediate aftermath of St Kilda's rousing win over Sydney; its first victory at the SCG since 2009.
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00:33
RD13 | Phillipou's priceless opener gets Saints marching
St Kilda young gun Mattaes Phillipou reads the spillage to perfection and produces the first goal of the game.
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08:52
Rested and raring to go, Lyon and Saints steel for Swans
Ross Lyon spoke to the media ahead of St Kilda's Thursday night match against Sydney at the SCG.
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06:56
Wilkie backs in Saints to bounce back, 'little fixes' on the agenda
Callum Wilkie addresses the media fresh off St Kilda's bye as it looks to bounce back over Sydney this Thursday night.
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Press Conference
ST KILDA 3.2 5.4 11.4 12.6 (78)
HAWTHORN 2.4 4.10 7.14 12.16 (55)
GOALS
St Kilda: King 4, Butler 2, Caminiti, Wood, Phillipou, Crouch, Byrnes, Sharman
Hawthorn: Lewis 3, Breust 3, Moore, Koschitzke, Macdonald, Impey, Butler, Brockman
BEST
St Kilda: King, Crouch, Wanganeen-Milera, Wilkie
Hawthorn: Sicily, Newcombe, Day, Lewis, Moore, Nash
INJURIES
St Kilda: Clark (knee), Higgins (finger)
Hawthorn: None
SUBSTITUTES
St Kilda: Cooper Sharman replaced Hunter Clark in the second quarter
Hawthorn: Connor Macdonald replaced Tyler Brockman in the third quarter
