A tidy-up of ball use, more momentum from the middle of the ground and a splash of composure may not sound like much, but it’s all Ross Lyon is crediting as the secret behind St Kilda’s stunning turnaround over Geelong.

Although trailing by 33 points at half-time after struggling to crack past their well-oiled opposition, a tune-up of those three key areas instigated a revival no-one — especially Geelong — saw coming as the Saints romped home victorious to the tune of a 13-goal second half.

St Kilda’s wrestling back of midfield momentum was integral to the eventual 18-point win, with Lyon’s side making huge inroads in the clinches after recording just two centre bounces to 10 by the main break; the latter number greatly benefitting the Cats' scoreboard. 

“It probably doesn’t get recognised how important that facet is. That’s something we’ve struggled with on-and-off all year,” Lyon said post-game.

“It was really hurting us in the second quarter… any momentum we were getting they were just snuffing it with great play out of the middle.

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“Then our ball use just continued to blossom, and as we got a bit of momentum off stoppage and centre square bounce, it sort of just grew.

“I said to the group at half-time we believe in you and we’d be in better shape if — and it’s a big if, by the way — if you can fix this stuff. I was pleased with how we continued to give effort and concentrate and try to improve our footy against what is a pretty good team.”

While reluctant to compare their second half to Chris Scott's “Harlem Globetrotters” comparison, Lyon was overall pleased at his side’s application and effort which left the Cats with little answers to counteract the home side’s run.

St Kilda has won five of its eight matches post-bye, knocking off ladder-leaders Sydney (two points), prospective finalist Essendon (53) and developing sides West Coast (72) and Richmond (48).

“We were pretty keen to test ourselves tonight against a really good football club,” Lyon said post-game.

“We know they had a bit to play for, we identified a lot of threats and their individuals. Really simply, it was a big turnaround, but at half-time we thought early our pressure and all that was good, but we lacked composure with the ball. 

“We were a bit fidgety and turned it over, and as they do they make you pay really quickly.”

Young Saint Darcy Wilson was among the Saints’ most influential performers, finishing with a career-best 25 disposals and two tide-turning goals in the third term to ignite his side’s surge.

“Robert Harvey works closely with him. He said he’s had a few good games, but this was probably his breakout game,” Lyon said.

“What’s important is he’s part of what we’re doing with the young players. He’ll play every game as a first-year player… as Mattaes (Phillipou) did last year.

“Specifically he gave us real life. (Max) Holmes was coming up onto the ball so (Darcy) was up with him. They throw a lot at you Geelong tactically, and Wilson was a part of (countering) that. He just runs so well.”