That one was for Spud.

Ross Lyon stated at the start of the week that emotion alone wouldn’t get the job done over the reigning premiers, however the Saints proved they’d put in the work to surge towards its first win of the season - and its maiden Spud’s Game triumph - over Collingwood at a jam-packed MCG.

Both sides were evenly matched for majority of the high-octane contest, however the Saints’ forwards in Jack Higgins (four goals), Max King (three) and Tim Membrey (two) made their moments count to secure the result, 14.10 (94) to 12.7 (79).

St Kilda was dealt a horrific early blow when Mason Wood was stretchered from the ground after landing on his neck in a sickening collision with teammate Zaine Cordy.

However the Saints roared to life after being stunned in the game’s opening minutes, putting the foot down in the middle, punishing the Pies on turnover and galvanising in defence to keep their top-shelf opposition at bay.

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Try as the Pies might, the Saints couldn’t be stopped. Collingwood, led by Josh Daicos outside and Reef McInnes (three goals) up forward, threw multiple swings to hit the lead with a four-goal blitz prior to half-time - and later threatened to pull off a final-quarter comeback with another four-goal fright - but weren’t able to curb their steaming opposition who kicked eight of the last 13 goals. 

The reigning premiers now sit 0-3 following losses to GWS and Sydney, with tonight's result marking being the first time they’ve opened a season with three consecutive losses since 1999.

The wide expanses of the ‘G allowed St Kilda’s outside runners and speed to thrive, with Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Ryan Byrnes, Liam Henry and Bradley Hill all impressing throughout the encounter to give their side a crucial upper hand in the forays forward. Darcy Wilson in just his second game also stood up to task, particularly in the third term with a captivating purple patch which yielded eight disposals and 172 metres gained.

Marcus Windhager (24 disposals, seven clearances), wearing Danny Frawley’s famed No. 2, emulated the former skipper's toughness with an uncompromising run-with role on the electric Nick Daicos, whose impact was lesser than his lofty best despite accruing 22 disposals.

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Windhager led his side’s on-ball charge with some immense support in the clearances from Rowan Marshall and Jack Steele, wrestling their way on top of the count (35-31).

Collingwood’s gallant late charge which yielded four final-term majors had those in the stands and the coaches’ box trembling in their seats, but it ultimately proved late consolation - with a ridiculous Jack Higgins snag from the pocket - in a night that belonged to the red, white and black.

ST KILDA  5.1  6.2. 11.7  14.10 (94)
COLLINGWOOD  3.1  7.4  8.5  12.7 (79)

GOALS
St Kilda: Higgins 4, King 3, Membrey 2, Henry 2, Hill, Sharman, Phillipou
Collingwood: Elliott 3, McInnes 3, Lipinski 2, Hill 2, Schultz, Cameron

BEST
St Kilda: Wanganeen-Milera, Windhager, Marshall, Henry, Battle, Steele, King, Higgins
Collingwood: J. Daicos, Lipinski, Elliott, Crisp, N. Daicos

INJURIES
St Kilda: Wood (concussion)
Collingwood: Nil

SUBSTITUTES:
St Kilda: Zak Jones replaced Mason Wood in the first quarter
Collingwood: Finlay Macrae replaced Oleg Markov at three-quarter time

CROWD
69,517 at the MCG