JESSE Wardlaw has helped steer St Kilda back into the top eight with an important 23-point win over a messy Collingwood, the fifth on the trot for the finals hopeful.

It was a mature performance by the Saints, helped by Wardlaw (two key goals) and the backline, which repelled an inordinate number of rushed and inaccurate Pies entries into attack, resulting in the 5.5 (35) to 1.6 (12) victory.

SAINTS V MAGPIES Full match details and stats

It was an understrength St Kilda side, with four senior stars – Jaimee Lambert (calf), Nicola Barr (knee), Bianca Jakobsson (broken leg/ankle) and Darcy Guttridge (managed) –  having dropped out of last week's side due to injury, and the players' balcony resembled a casualty ward such was the sheer number of crutches and moon boots.

Collingwood suffered an injury blow itself just before the game, with No.1 pick Ash Centra a late withdrawal due to calf awareness. Despite her short career, Centra's class around the footy and kicks into attack were sorely missed, with Mikala Cann spending more time through the midfield as a consequence.

The Pies recorded eight inside 50s to two in the first quarter, but managed just two behinds, as a resolute and disciplined St Kilda backline stood tall.

Wardlaw helped St Kilda build out its lead to half-time with a stunning one-handed mark, falling back with the ball tucked against her side after Ty Smith had raced away from a throw-in and sent it into attack.

Wardlaw then had a hand – literally – in the Saints' third, paddling the ball back to Charlotte Baskaran, who soccered truly, and the home side carried a 16-point lead into the major break.

All of St Kilda's first-half goals followed a similar pattern – a long period of Collingwood dominance, the Pies having rushed and bashed the ball into attack with little finesse and for no reward, followed by a play down the ground and goal.

While Pies led the inside 50 count, it was the Saints who were able to capitalise in front of goal, keeping the Pies goalless in the first half.

It took a strong contested pack mark from skipper Ruby Schleicher to break the Magpies' scoring woes, coming just before three-quarter time.

A move for Schleicher to full forward in the final quarter gave Collingwood the target they needed, with the Pies skipper leading the team in marks for the game.

Smith's pace was a constant issue for the Pies throughout the game. Going head-to-head with 75-gamer Brit Bonnici, the pair played off each other, and while the Pie found a heap of the footy and worked hard all game, the Saint's disposal had more impact.

After spending most of the day at full-forward, Collingwood swung Sabrina Frederick into the ruck in the fourth quarter with Imogen Barnett in attack. The move worked well for both players, but happened too late to have an impact on the result.

Charlotte Simpson was ruled out during the first quarter with facial injuries after an accidental backhander while laying a tackle.

Up next
Collingwood will host Richmond at their spiritual home of Victoria Park for their home Pride Round clash.

ST KILDA              1.0    3.1    4.4    5.5 (35)
COLLINGWOOD    0.2    0.3    1.3    1.6 (12)

GOALS
St Kilda: Wardlaw 2, Ar.Clarke, Baskaran, Xenos
Collingwood: Schleicher

BEST
St Kilda: Smith, Patrikios, Wardlaw, Trudgeon, Watson, Stevens
Collingwood: Bonnici, Rowe, White, Barnett, Allen

INJURIES
St Kilda: Simpson (face)
Collingwood: Nil

LATE CHANGES
St Kilda: Nil
Collingwood: Ash Centra (calf awareness) replaced in selected side by Georgia Clark

Crowd: TBC at RSEA Park