St Kilda has stamped itself as a team determined to return to September after moving to 3-1 on the back of three consecutive wins.

The Saints bounced into the top eight on a perfect day for football at the MCG, smashing Hawthorn by 69 points on Sunday to make an early-season statement.

After producing impressive wins over Fremantle in Perth and Richmond at Marvel Stadium in the early weeks of 2021, St Kilda went to another level against Hawthorn, getting on top early and never taking the foot off the pedal to stroll to a 22.10 (142) to 10.13 (73) win.

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Max King has dominated all the headlines in the past fortnight following two stunning bursts to put the Dockers and Tigers away late, and the 2018 No. 4 pick repeated the performance with three fourth-quarter goals, finishing with four for the day and moving to 13 for the season.

But it wasn't all about King.
 
While Jack Steele has emerged as on the best midfielders in the AFL in the past two seasons, winning back-to-back Trevor Barker Awards and All-Australian blazer, Jade Gresham has barely been on the park due to a ruptured Achilles and a long-term back injury.

SAINTS MATCH CENTRE: View all news, stats and videos from Round 4

But a month into 2022, the 2015 first-round pick is showing why he could prove to be St Kilda's most valuable player by the end of the season, kicking four classy goals to go with 20 disposals in another dazzling display that highlights his A-grade talent.

Gresham was one of four Saints to bag four majors across the afternoon, along with Bradley Hill, Tim Membrey and King.

Round 4 v Hawthorn
  • 00:59

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    Step inside debutant Marcus Windhager's big day at the MCG, brought to you by Pepper Money.

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  • 08:25

    RD4 | All the goals v Hawthorn

    Watch all the goals from our Round 4 win over Hawthorn at the MCG.

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  • 01:32

    RD4 | 'We've played three really strong games': Butler after Round 4 win

    Dan Butler spoke to STK Media following our Round 4 win against Hawthorn

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  • 01:41

    RD4 | 'Everyone chipped in this week': King after Round 4 win against Hawthorn

    Max King spoke to STK Media following our Round 4 win against Hawthorn

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  • 02:16

    RD4 | Dare Coach's Message

    Senior Coach Brett Ratten's message to fans following our Round 4 win against Hawthorn

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  • 14:54

    RD4 | Mini-Match: Hawthorn v St Kilda

    Extended highlights of the Hawks and Saints clash in round four

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  • 06:56

    RD4 | Highlights v Hawthorn

    The Hawks and Saints clash in round four

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  • 07:00

    RD4 | 'We got the game where we wanted': Ratten post-match

    Watch St Kilda's press conference after round four's match against Hawthorn

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  • 00:47

    RD4 | Hill puts icing on superb Saints outing

    Bradley Hill kicks a fantastic running goal on the angle to seal St Kilda's big win

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  • 00:36

    Team Song: St Kilda

    Watch the Saints celebrate their round four win

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  • 00:41

    RD4 | Membrey nails his fourth to continue Saints party

    Tim Membrey kicks a composed snap after a great read off the pack

    AFL
  • 00:34

    RD4 | Gresham piles pain on wayward Hawks

    St Kilda star Jade Gresham kicks a classy snap to extend the Saints' lead

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  • 00:29

    RD4 | McKenzie spoil opens the door for Butler to pounce

    Daniel McKenzie puts his body on the line, forcing a turnover to bring Dan Butler into the game

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  • 00:43

    RD4 | Gresham curls home a ripper after terrific Ryder tap

    Jade Gresham kicks a super long-range snap after a brilliant Paddy Ryder tap

    AFL

 Brad Crouch, Jack Sinclair, Seb Ross and Steele outplayed Hawthorn's midfield – after upstaging Richmond last weekend – which is starting to cause Sam Mitchell some problems early in his time in charge at Waverley Park.

However, veteran ruckman Paddy Ryder could come under scrutiny from the match review officer following a front-on collision with Will Day in the second quarter.
 
Day remained on the ground for the closing minutes of the half but was substituted out of the game during the main break, which was the only sour note on a great day for the Saints.

More to come.

Saints debutant delivers first up

St Kilda unveiled a fourth debutant in as many weeks, with Marcus Windhager playing his first game on Sunday, after Jack Hayes, Mitch Owens and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera. Windhager forced his way into Brett Ratten's side through a dominant display for Sandringham last weekend. The next generation academy graduate looked comfortable at the level and might play plenty of senior football in his first season.

HAWTHORN     3.3     5.8      7.11     10.13 (73)
ST KILDA          6.1    12.3    15.8      22.10 (142)
 
GOALS  
Hawthorn:    Lewis 3, Breust 3, Moore 2, O'Meara, Reeves
St Kilda:  Gresham 4, Membrey 4, King 4, Hill 4, Butler 2, Ryder 2, Long, Steele
 
BEST  
Hawthorn:    Newcombe, Jiath, Mitchell, Lewis, Hardwick
St Kilda:  Steele, Gresham, Sinclair, Crouch, Ross, Hill, Webster, Membrey

INJURIES  
Hawthorn: Will Day (concussion)
St Kilda: Nil

SUBSTITUTES  
Hawthorn: Finn Maginness replaced Will Day in third quarter
St Kilda: Ryan Byrnes (not used)

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