St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has admitted that the Saints lacked composure during Geelong's second-half surge in Saturday night's seven-point win.
St Kilda led by as many as 41 points but the Cats clicked into gear late, ultimately ruing countless missed opportunities during crunch time of the final term, which allowed the Saints to escape with the four premiership points.
Impressed by the Saints' response from Round 1's shellacking to the Crows, Lyon said their "elite" pressure forged their near seven-goal lead.
"They were coming off good form, we were coming off – well, we weren't pleased, and we just wanted some improvement. But I thought our pressure all night – we sustained above two, which is elite," Lyon said.
"We went back to the ball and stayed close, which is where we think the game's at.
"I really loved watching the Bulldogs-Collingwood game, the contest and the tackling. I think it's a fundamental of where AFL footy is at because you can move the ball when you get it – you never used to be able to because of the new rules – it puts a premium on winning the ball."
However, Lyon conceded that area of the game is where Geelong got on top as they formed a scary comeback.
The St Kilda coach also commended the Cats' experienced troops that propelled their club back into winning contention.
"In the last quarter, their pressure and us turning it over (is what swung momentum). We couldn't find a mark," Lyon said.
"They won the contested ball plus 16. So they won the ball. They're hard-fought, they challenge you with that experience.
"Jeremy Cameron and Blicavs and those sort of guys. They've got really smart, proven small forwards in Myers and Close so they threw a lot at us.
"We knew they'd come. Would have liked a little bit more composure, but I think we take those lessons.
"Everyone says a game of two halves, but I think that exists every week, doesn't it? But I think it was contrasting halves, is what I would say.
"A lot of positives to take out."
The Saints can look to string back-to-back wins against Richmond at Marvel Stadium next round, however, they'll be without Liam Stocker (concussion) and potentially Hunter Clark (groin).
Lyon said he won't get carried away after the stunning Cats upset as they look to fill the injury gaps and avoid complacency against a sneaky Richmond outfit who pulled off a remarkable upset of their own in Round 1.
"We're certainly not carried away. It's Round 2, very early in the season, we've got a growth mindset, so we improved, and I think we play the Tigers next week, so we really need to focus on improving our footy," Lyon said.
"We got a few injuries, Stocker, a concussion, so he won't play, and then Hunter Clark is pretty sore with a groin issue."
The Saints' injury list is already one of the AFL's longest, with stars Max King (knee) and Mattaes Phillipou (leg) two key sidelined stars.
St Kilda will continue to look to their depth as they play Port Adelaide and GWS away in the following weeks after the Richmond clash.
