COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse has praised the performance of star midfielder Dale Thomas in light of comments made by his St Kilda counterpart Ross Lyon during the week.

After the Saints coach said the 24-year old might be the best player currently in the game, Thomas shrugged off a close tag from St Kilda tough nut Clint Jones in the first-half to eventually finish with 31-possessions and five clearances in the Pies 57-point win over last-years runners-up.

"I thought he handled it pretty well," Malthouse said after the match.

"Was he the best player? He was certainly up there. He was very good for us and he has been very good for us [all season]."

"He just does all the things that you want from a player. He chases, he tackles, he gets into position, he is very good for his teammates. He'll play back, he'll play forward, he'll play midfield."

"There is a lot to like about him."

Malthouse admitted his side is still searching for that four-quarter consistency as the Pies  stepped up a gear in the second half to put away St Kilda by one point less than the margin that separated both sides in the Grand Final replay last year.

After leading by just eight points at the half-time break, the Magpies kicked 10 goals to two in the second half to record their ninth win of the season and cement their position in second place on the AFL ladder

"I wouldn't say it was four great quarters today," Malthouse said.

"I wouldn't have thought it was anywhere near as good last week."

Malthouse said he knew the Saints would come out hunting his men, with Ross Lyon's charges starting to find some form over the past month after their horror start to the season.

"We played a side who are coming back into a bit of form and throwing their side around with young blokes. On top of that [there is] a lot of pride playing a side that beat you in last year's Grand Final," he said.

"We knew they were up before the game."

Malthouse also praised the performance of forward Travis Cloke, with the star forward finishing with three goals and drawing comparisons from the Magpies coach to his father David in regards to his work ethic on and off the field.

"You never have any worries about his work ethic and his attention to try and do everything right by his teammates," he said.

"As long as he is contributing in the air, bringing it to ground and doing a little bit of ruck work down there [in the forward line], Travis just wants to be out there."

Collingwood will look to record their 10th win of the season as they clash with the Demons next Monday for the Queen's Birthday match, with Simon Buckley a chance to return after being a late withdrawal against the Saints with a groin injury.