St Kilda coach Ross Lyon returned to his classic frosty best during his post-match address following the club's lamentable 45-point loss to Brisbane on Saturday.
The Saints were comprehensively beaten on all key metrics, losing the inside 50 count (66-43), efficiency inside 50 (59.1 to 39.5 per cent), clearances (52-34) and contested possession (142-134).
But Lyon, who failed to hide his disappointment following the defeat, acknowledged his side's poor clearance work as the greater determinant for the result, allowing the reigning premiers to roam free.
He admitted that he was "animated" at quarter-time, when the deficit was three goals, the most he'd been since returning to Moorabbin.
"I was animated โฆ but it's not personal. It was like first possession 12-3 or 12-4, and clearances are 3-12. How about show some fortitude, hang onto the ball, and get it going our way," Lyon said.
"They got it in there, and they dominated clearance wins and territory, and we were pinned and couldn't get it out.
"Our forwards were too far away, not good enough with the ball in hand, got stripped โฆ so, you win the ball, first possession off the ruck's hand, and just either they're too big and strong and strip it, or we just flick it out flippantly and the ball just gets swept away.
"That's what I thought of the first quarter โฆ I haven't sprayed the group since I've been here, but I think first possession was 12-10 at one point and our clearances were 3-12 โ so we had it, but their physicality, our (inability) to control the ball, exit the ball in a manner that is expected was bottom-end."
Lyon's peculiar call to sub out 19-year-old midfielder Hugo Garcia in the second quarter had eyebrows raised, replacing him with experienced head Zak Jones.
The Saints coach reasoned the decision by saying he needed to see results against Lachie Neale, Will Ashcroft and Hugh McCluggage, of which Garcia was not providing, recording four disposals and one tackle in 20 per cent game time.
"Hugo was a part of it (getting out-muscled in the middle). I don't know. How much do you guys know about stay-ahead mids and swivelling and turning? Sometimes I just get to roll-the-eyes stage," Lyon said.
"Sometimes you've got to stop talking about it and sometimes you just go โbang'."
Lyon hinted at making some wholesale changes at the selection table following another poor outing by the Saints.
Arie Schoenmaker (29 touches and seven marks) and Hugh Boxshall (24 disposals, 10 tackles and eight clearances) were arguably the Sandringham Zebras' best players in their loss to the Lions.
Top draftees Alix Tauru and Tobie Travaglia were also impressive, while former Blue Jack Carroll could look to debut for his new club.
St Kilda will be under Friday night lights at Marvel Stadium when Fremantle travels to Melbourne next week.
