Steven Baker – 6
Started on Jason Akermanis in the forward line and went on to have a solid negating game without starring. Applied good pressure for six tackles, but wasn't prolific.

Luke Ball – 5
Ran with Daniel Cross on and off, but didn't have an enormous impact. Had a good last quarter to finish with 17 touches and six tackles.

Jason Blake – 6
Went to Brad Johnson after the main break and did well to minimise his influence. Touched the ball 17 times and took eight marks, and was solid in his role.

Raphael Clarke – 7
Was untidy in the first half, but will be better remembered for his involvement in the fourth. Had nine touches for the term after being winded in a collision with Cross in the third. Did some brave things.

Nick Dal Santo – 8
Kicked the Saints' first goal at the five-minute mark of the second after a dubious free kick against Jarrod Harbrow, but really ignited after the main break to have 12 important third-term touches. Had eight clearances.

Zac Dawson – 5
Lined up on Will Minson at full-back, but had a range of opponents as the coach struggled to find him a suitable one. Went to full-forward briefly in the second.

Robert Eddy – 1
Had four touches for the game: no kicks, one tackle. Unsighted.

Sam Fisher – 7
Was very busy in the first half, but made plenty of unforced errors. Improved after the break and kicked the goal that put the Saints in front at the nine-minute mark of the third.

Michael Gardiner – 6
Started in the circle against Ben Hudson and went on to be the most dominant ruckman on the field. Had 24 hit-outs and won three clearances.

Sam Gilbert – 4
Looked uncertain early and was one of the Saints who had the first-half fumbles. Wasn't his usual self. Started on Scott Welsh but played mostly on Robert Murphy, who took nine marks.

Brendon Goddard – 6
Started in a mouth-watering match up with Ryan Griffen, but didn't stay with him for the whole game. Spent a period against Mitch Hahn in defence, but was beaten twice. Had handy first and last quarters, and gave the Saints good rebound.

Jason Gram – 6
Played on Shaun Higgins in a high-possession match-up in the first half. However, he made seven turnovers and trailed off after the break to record 18 touches for the game.

Lenny Hayes – 9
Had a massive last quarter and was one of the most influential players in the win. Converted a classy snap over his shoulder for the side's third goal in the second term.

Clint Jones – 8
Had a terrific game alongside Adam Cooney. The Brownlow Medallist still had 26 touches, but Jones made it hard for him to hurt the Saints with them. Had a game-high 10 clearances.

Steven King – 3
Started on the bench and came on for minimal impact. Got his defensive game going with five tackles.

Justin Koschitzke – 4
Kicked the Saints' first point 14 minutes in after a Brian Lake free kick. Took his first contested mark against Welsh late in the second but missed the goal. Had six inside 50s but stayed goalless.

Andrew McQualter – 4
Kicked a dearly-needed goal in the second term and provided some important defensive pressure in the Saints' forward half.

Stephen Milne – 3
Lost 12cm in a match-up with Ryan Hargrave. Was very quiet in the first half, but would be pleased with a crumbed goal late in the third to ensure the Saints had the three-quarter time lead.

Leigh Montagna – 6
Was shadowed by tagger Liam Picken for the first three quarters but broke away a little in the last.

Farren Ray – 5
Fulfilled his role but didn't catch the eye. Touching scenes after the game when he consoled his former teammates.

Nick Riewoldt – 9
Fought back after being beaten by Dale Morris in the first half to be the match-winning best-on-ground with Hayes. Kicked his four goals after the main break, including the sealer with just over a minute to play.

Adam Schneider – 2
Had the in-form Harbrow as an opponent and was rendered ineffective. Kicked just one behind.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.