Serene Watson's dominant display in defence has been rewarded with a perfect 10 coaches' votes, featuring as one of four Saints to receive recognition from Sunday's eight-point win over Essendon.
Watson finished her afternoon in the bone-rattling conditions with a game-high 22 disposals, nine intercepts, eight marks and seven rebound-50s, providing a steady hand down back in the tightly contested tussle.
With any major score threatening to sway momentum away from the Saints, Watson's repeated repelling of Essendon's advances were nothing short of crucial her side clawed its way in front to secure a hard-fought win.
The newly inducted leader is the second Saint to earn a maximum 10 votes this season, following on from Jesse Wardlaw's forward masterclass against Gold Coast in Round 1.
Darcy Guttridge followed close behind with seven votes after jagging two of St Kilda's three goals for Sunday, seeing her register a major in every one of her side's matches to-date.
Tyanna Smith extended her lead on top of the Saints' tally by one following her efforts inside, while forward Ash Richards secured her first votes for the season after a strong marking display helped the Saints over the line at Windy Hill.
Coaches' votes | Round 3
10 - Serene Watson (STK)
7 - Darcy Guttridge (STK)
4 - Stephanie Wales (ESS)
4 - Georgia Nanscawen (ESS)
2 - Georgia Clarke (ESS)
2 - Ash Richards (STK)
1 - Tyanna Smith (STK)
St Kilda coaches' votes leaderboard
13 - Tyanna Smith
10 - Jesse Wardlaw
10 - Serene Watson
8 - Molly McDonald
7 - Darcy Guttridge
7 - Jaimee Lambert
5 - Nicola Stevens
5 - Olivia Vesely
2 - Ash Richards
1 - Paige Trudgeon
