St Kilda have made history in Coburg, winning their first VFL game as a standalone side in 26 years with a resounding victory over the Lions.

SAINTS v LIONS MATCH CENTRE: SCORES, STATS & MORE

Heading into the clash with three losses to begin the season, the Saints were desperate for their first victory, while the Lions were looking for their second of the campaign.

The Saints made their presence felt from the outset, with Bailey McKenzie kicking the sides first two goals of the game to help the team to a 14-point lead at the first break.

The Lions fought their way back into it early in the second, kicking five goals in the term, but the Saints refused to falter, kicking four goals of their own to retain the lead at the main break.

After a third quarter against Richmond that cost them the game, St Kilda's third on this occasion was a near complete opposite.

Six goals to none in the term saw the Saints punish the Lions, dominating at stoppages and flying through the air with damaging effect, led by the stellar McKenzie and Billy Richardson.

The injection of AFL experience in Jack Macrae, Paddy Dow and Liam Henry into the midfield was massively influential, as well as a rock-solid defensive outfit of Jett Hartman and Dougal Howard.

Coburg won the final term, but the damage had been done, with the Saints saluting on the final siren and singing the song for the first time in over two decades.

BIG BAD BAILEY

20 year old Bailey McKenzie was simply stunning on Saturday, dominating from the outset for a big haul against the Lions.

McKenzie kicked five goals from seven scoring shots, and was damaging in the air. His ability over his head brought his smaller forwards into the game, with Jack Behnk, Tyson Nagel and Patrick Said all getting on the scoreboard.

The highlight of McKenzie's afternoon came in the third quarter, with a massively impressive finish from close to 50 and tight on the boundary to pile on the pain.

McKenzie's partner in crime Billy Richardson was similarly impressive, finishing with three goals including a long-range bomb in the third quarter.

AFL-LISTED SAINTS RETURN

The most experienced Saints' side of the season took the field on Saturday, with AFL-listed experience helping get the team across the line.

Jack Macrae, Liam Henry and Paddy Dow all returned from injury and were extemely impressive in their own rights, while Dougal Howard and Angus Hastie continued their strong form in the competition over the season.

Rookie Kye Fincher found himself with plenty of the footy, and Irish duo Liam O'Connell and Eamonn Armstrong showed flashes of brilliance over the contest.

MATCH FACTS

COBURG 2.1 7.5 7.9 12.13 (85) 
ST KILDA 4.3 8.5 14.9 17.12 (114)

GOALS

Lions: Podhajski 6, Valentine 2, Weightman, Tejones, Stephenson, Murphy

Saints: McKenzie 5, Richardson 3, Maginness, Behnk 2, Said, Nagel, Dodson, Davey, Algeri

TOP PLAYER STATS

Bailey McKenzie – 14 disposals, 8 marks, 5 goals

Angus Hastie – 25 disposals, 9 marks, 6 score involvements

Kye Fincher – 20 disposals, 7 marks

Jack Macrae – 20 disposals (10 contested), 9 tackles

Alex Dodson - 14 disposals, 29 hitouts, 1 goal