1. Montagna's time-wasting tactic
In a tense final quarter and with the Saints up by 10 points, Leigh Montagna found himself all alone with the ball in the goalsquare. Everyone expected him to thump it through immediately but confusion reigned when he didn't. Instead, Montagna took a bounce and waited for a Lions player to put some pressure on him. Tom Rockliff eventually came running in and the experienced Montagna kicked a goal. A few seconds were run off the clock but coach Alan Richardson was certainly unhappy about something, shown shaking his head and using some choice language on the television coverage. Asked after the match whether his action was arrogant, Montagna replied, "I hope it didn't come across that way. I was just trying to waste as much time as possible."

2. What knee injury?
When Nick Riewoldt went down in the last quarter against Melbourne in round one with a right knee issue, St Kilda fans were worried they might have seen the last of the champion Saint. He returned to the field just 15 days later and apart from the strapping he sported, there was no indication he had been injured. The 34-year-old started on a wing and finished up forward. In typical fashion, Riewoldt ran himself ragged and even took a turn in the ruck, winning a hit-out. When he ran back with the flight to take a grab on the goal line in the first quarter and slotted it through, he was well and truly back. The former skipper finished with three goals to go with his 28 disposals and 12 marks, and was his side's best player.

3. Spirited Lions
Chris Fagan's men looked done in the second term. St Kilda had control of play but inaccuracy in front of goal meant it frittered away its chances. Impressively for a young Brisbane Lions outfit, they did not drop their heads. They took ascendancy in the final minutes of the quarter and goals to Josh Schache and Dayne Zorko sparked a comeback that continued in the third term, and the Lions would eventually hit the lead. Perhaps the most pleasing aspect for Fagan was that his side didn't wait for the main break to regain control, with the Lions' leaders ensuring they weren't blown away, as might have happened last year. Having Dayne Beams on the park helped as well – he was brilliant in a 30-disposal effort.

4. Inaccuracy haunts St Kilda
The Saints should have come back from Perth with a win against West Coast in round two, but butchered their chances in front of goal. It was again an issue on Sunday afternoon, even though playing under the roof at Etihad Stadium meant there were no excuses for the misses. Tim Membrey, who is normally very reliable in front of goal, booted 1.3, including missing two sitters from directly in front. However, he put through an important one in the last quarter on a 45-degree angle to give his side a 16-point buffer. Josh Bruce kicked 50.24 a couple of years ago but had 1.4 versus the Lions. Another poor example came from Jack Billings in the second quarter. He took a brilliant pack mark in the forward 50m but chose to pass off to Luke Dunstan. While Dunstan was in space, Billings is more skillful and he should have taken the responsibility.

5. Young talent time
The Lions were stacked with promising young talent on Sunday. Two players who returned from injury were early draft picks from last year Hugh McCluggage (No.3) and Jarrod Berry (No.17), and both showed exciting flashes. McCluggage's classy kicking skills were apparent when he nailed a pass to Dayne Beams at half-forward in the second quarter, despite the Lions captain being among three Saints. While McCluggage needs to ensure he is generally sharper with his kicking and not let the football hang in the air, his 14 disposals were encouraging. Berry picked up eight disposals in a quiet first game but when he pushed an attempted tackler away in the second quarter, his strength was apparent. His composure was on show when he nailed a set shot in the third quarter to bring the margin back to six.