ST KILDA has been thoroughly outplayed the Cats in a similar fashion to last year's Round 18 encounter at the same venue, falling to Chris Scott's men by 96 points at Simonds Stadium.

Aside from Maverick Weller's opening goal after just 15 seconds, it was all Geelong on Sunday afternoon, with Jimmy Bartel and Steven Motlop especially damaging in the one-sided game.

David Armitage and Farren Ray worked hard offensively for the Saints, collecting 21 disposals apiece, however St Kilda's two best players, Luke Delaney and Weller, had defensive roles.

For the first time this year, Weller was handed the primary tagging role and ran with Joel Selwood all day. Although the Geelong skipper booted two early goals and another one later, he was severely limited around the ground and finished with just 11  possessions.

Delaney was similarly resolute, holding Tom Hawkins to three goals despite the avalanche of forward 50 entries that almost doubled St Kilda's.

Seb Ross's work in the midfield was one small positive to come out of the game, with the young left-footer gathering a career-best 28 disposals amongst six rebound 50s and four clearances.

Alan Richardson made a number of tactical changes throughout the contest, swinging Josh Bruce and Brodie Murdoch from defence into attack, and Nick Riewoldt and Tom Simpkin vice versa at various stages.

In addition to this, Tom Lee, who had spent time in the ruck as well as up forward, was subbed prior to half-time, allowing Clint Jones to impact the game as an extra midfielder.

Jones' participation in the game was not confirmed until 90 minutes before the first bounce, when he was a included for Terry Milera who was a late withdrawal.

Without Lee, Billy Longer spent the vast majority of the second half as the lone ruckman and held his own around the ground, although Dawson Simpson got the better of the ex-Lion in the hit out department. Longer came from the ground in the dying minutes of the game after suffering a knock to the head.

During the third term, Weller was reported for rough conduct, while Josh Saunders looked to be badly winded in the second term but recovered and played the rest of the game.

ST KILDA: 5.7 (37)
GEELONG: 20.13 (133)

BEST: Ross, Ray, Weller, Delaney, Armitage, Webster, Simpkin
GOALS: Weller, Shenton, Billings, Riewoldt, Armitage