St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said the team used former Saints premiership coach Allan Jeans as inspiration to beat West Coast Eagles last night.

Jeans passed away this week after a long illness. Lyon said he was the greatest leader in St Kilda's history.

 The Saints got off to a winning start, with seven goals early in the second quarter.

But the Eagles fought back and dominated the game's middle stages, kicking eight of the next nine goals and taking a two point lead at three-quarter time. 

The Saints responded and it was a tough battle between the two teams, before the Saints finally won 13.4 (82) to 9.7(61).