ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon says he wasn’t aware his side held the Sydney Swans goalless during the second and third terms, before running out 15-point winners at Docklands on Saturday night.

The Saints managed 11 consecutive goals from the second term through to the final quarter, but Lyon said his team's effort was all he focused on, particularly after defender Raphael Clarke went down with a hamstring injury.

When asked how impressed he was with the defensive shut-out, the first time the Swans haven’t scored a goal in consecutive quarters since 1997, Lyon said he ‘didn’t really realise’ the visitors hadn’t slotted a major and was more intent on what his players were doing.

"I thought our effort [was pleasing], not against the odds, but when you lose one [player through injury]," he said post-match.

"It doesn't matter how much pre-season training you've done, it doesn't prepare you for the assault that takes place in round one, so it was pleasing to get the points.

"I think our fans can see what we're trying to do with our midfield in [Brendon] Goddard, [Jason] Gram, [Nick] Dal Santo and [Leigh] Montagna and the ruck combination and the acquisition in Farren Ray and Zac [Dawson].”

Lyon spoke further on ex-Hawk Dawson and former Bulldog Ray, saying the duo was added to the club's list for specific purposes.

"Zac we recruited for exactly the reason tonight [to cover for Max Hudghton]. Max has been a great player and is a great player, but can be fragile with soft-tissue [muscles], so we recruited him," Lyon said.

"Just because we got him through the door as a rookie, it doesn't mean he plays. He did the work and earned the respect and it wasn't; 'who is six foot four and can play?' We've got some kids that can play and he earned his spot.

"He took his opportunity and defended pretty well."

On Ray, the Saints coach said: "He's a little bit different, because we targeted him."

"Our list managers helped bring him in and highlight him through [football manager] Matty Drain. We listened to what was put forward and we felt that the Doggies got a good deal and we got a good deal."

"He took his opportunity and he's moved on and he earned his stripes and his keep tonight but, in saying that, you've got to do it week in week out. But he gave the run we were looking for him to bring into the club.'

Meanwhile, Lyon also urged St Kilda supporters to turn out in force and join up as members.

"If you're not a member and even if you come tonight, there was 32,000, but stadium deals are the topic at the moment and I speak to my people at the club and they say we average 40,000," he said.

"We probably get 15,000 members come, so the other Saints fans that attend, we need you to become members, because the money doesn't come into the coffers,” he said.