After booting the first three goals of the match, the Saints were able to maintain that advantage by holding Carlton at bay.
Of the three successive wins (the first two coming over the Western Bulldogs and Geelong), this was St. Kilda’s most impressive victory, refusing to yield in the face of a Carlton side desperate for a win after going down to Hawthorn last week.
The Blues brought the margin back to single figures on numerous occasions in both the second and third quarters but were never able to sustain a charge for any extended period of time.
A St. Kilda side brimming with youth but crucially also sprinkled with experienced veterans was able to meet every challenge, showing wonderful composure and belief to register a famous victory.
The Blues’ final burst was at the start of the final term, with two goals in as many minutes - some fantastic work out of the centre square rewarded by a clever snap from Ryan Houlihan and no mistake on the run by skipper Brett Ratten.
Simon Beaumont’s set shot moments later had the potential to draw teams level, but he hit the post with a poorly-timed kick.
The Saints responded to Carlton’s fierce challenge, Fraser Gehrig putting one through from the goal square after finding himself on the end of a series of frantic handballs.
Gehrig had the potential to provide some desperately-needed breathing space for the Saints but missed two set shots in the last term, ending the match with a disappointingly-inaccurate 2.5.
With a list burgeoning with young stars, it was the performances of veterans Robert Harvey and Nathan Burke that stood out.
Harvey racked up 31 disposals and 11 marks while Burke finished with 15 and had a hand in several goals.
Lenny Hayes was also excellent all night, his 12 first-quarter possessions helping the Saints to an 18-point lead at the opening break. He finished the night with 34 touches.
After conceding the first three majors, Carlton’s first arrived half-way through the quarter when Xavier Clarke misjudged a mark inside 50, leaving Simon Beaumont to run into an open goal.
Both teams traded goals during the early portion of the second quarter before two brilliant pieces of play from Corey McKernan helped the Blues to two straight
McKernan gathered a bouncing ball at half-forward, turned past Luke Penny while paddling the ball forward and launched his kick on goal as he was tackled.
He then helped the Blues close to within seven points, providing a good shepherd after giving a handball to Murphy.
Carlton worked hard in the shadows of half-time to rein in a 21-point deficit to just 11 at the long break with the last two goals, including Brendan Fevola’s first of the match. It was his only major of the night, Fevola ending with only nine possessions and two marks.
The win moves St. Kilda to a 4-3 record while the Blues fall to 2-5.
In the next round, St. Kilda makes its second trip west to face Fremantle at Subiaco Oval, while Carlton host the Western Bulldogs at Optus Oval. Both matches are on Sunday.
ST KILDA: 5.2 9.7 14.11 16.17 (113)
CARLTON: 2.2 8.2 12.5 15.11 (101)
GOALS: St Kilda: Riewoldt 3, Burke 2, Gehrig 2, Hayes 2, Clarke, Hamill, Harvey, Jones, Koschitzke, Maguire, Peckett
Carlton: Beaumont 3, McKernan 3, Houlihan 2, Murphy 2, Ratten 2, Fevola, Hulme, Koutoufides
BEST: St Kilda: Hayes, Riewoldt, Harvey, Goddard, Burke, Peckett, Hudghton, Clarke
Carlton: Houlihan, Ratten, Beaumont, McKernan, Lappin, McKay
INJURIES: St.Kilda Hudghton (ankles)
Carlton: Prendergast (foot)
REPORTS: Nil
UMPIRES: Sheehan, Allen, Nicholls
CROWD: 45,122 at Telstra Dome
