Bad sadly, it all somehow disappeared at half-time as the Hawks, who were 25 points up 27 minutes into the game, went into their shells, only to be overwhelmed by the Saints 19.13 (127) to 9.7 (61).
Simon Beaumont was Hawthorn's best in terms of stats, gathering 21 possessions and seven marks, and he was awarded the Silk Miller Medal as the club's best-afield for his efforts.
Trent Croad did a fine job on Nick Riewoldt, managing to collect 21 disposals and eight grabs, while Peter Everitt dominated at the stoppages, as usual, with 30 effective hitouts.
For the Saints, Fraser Gehrig responded to two off weeks by kicking five goals on Jonathan Hay. Stephen Milne equalled his contribution, and gave Michael Osborne the run around.
In the third term St Kilda lost Justin Koschitzke, who appeared to dislocate his elbow in a sickening collision with Hawk Matthew Ball.
Hawthorn coach Peter Schwab was pleased with his team's start.
"The first quarter was excellent and probably as good a quarter as we've played all year, particularly given the quality of the opposition. We probably could have even been further in front."
"At half time we're still up, but then in the third quarter you could argue that Johnny Barker should have hit Thommo (Nathan Thompson) leading up and then we might have been 14 points in front with the momentum still going with us."
"But from that point on the game was totally St Kilda's."
Hawthorn started brilliantly and withstood some close attention from their opponents in a dynamic opening term. Milne scored the game's first goal, but the Hawks kicked six of the next seven majors to build a wholly deserved 18-point lead at the first break.
Everitt continued his good form at the centre bounces, but in a pleasant change for his side, the Hawthorn players were reaping the benefits.
Nick Ries lined up on Saints skipper Lenny Hayes in the middle and had more of the pill in the opening half.
And brothers Matthew and Luke Ball began their first battle at senior level opposed to one another with the Hawthorn variety taking the early honours.
Ben Dixon, who lined up on one of St Kilda's best agitators, Brent Guerra, across half-back, enjoyed one of his most productive quarters of football for a long while.
At the other end, two of his teammates Nathan Thompson and John Barker were enjoying similar form. But it only lasted a half.
St Kilda quickly gathered some much needed momentum in the second term with Gehrig eluding Hay twice in two minutes and nailing goals that drew his side to within six points 11 minutes in.
Luke Hodge missed what should have been a simple set shot and the Hawks were held goalless until Angelo Lekkas kicked the first of his two majors at the 24-minute mark of the third quarter.
But the Saints had already wrested the lead, and did not look back after nailing nine goals to the Hawks' two in a lop sided final quarter.
St Kilda: 3.2 5.4 10.10 19.13 (127)
Hawthorn: 6.2 6.6 7.7 9.7 (61)
Goals: St Kilda: Milne, Gehrig 5, Koschitzke, Riewoldt 2, Powell, Dal Santo, Guerra, Hayes, Knobel
Hawthorn: Lekkas, Thompson, Hodge 2, Williams, Bateman, Everitt
Best: St Kilda: Dal Santo, Gehrig, Milne, Powell, Harvey, Jones, Hudghton
Hawthorn: Everitt, Dixon, Croad, Lekkas, Smith, Ball, Ries
Injuries: St Kilda: Koschitzke (elbow)
Hawthorn: Bateman (hamstring)
Reports: Luke Hodge reported for striking Steven Baker in the first quarter by field umpire Scott McLaren
Umpires: McLaren, Ryan, Avon
Crowd: 36,925 at Telstra Dome
