So the Saints are 'off the schneid' as they say in baseball. It means their winless streak has come to an end.

St Kilda eked out a 13-point win over the Lions at the Gabba on Thursday night, a win they'll be most grateful to have, given all that has transpired before.

The difference between the sides was that the wise old heads of the Saints took their scoring opportunities when they came. Adam Schneider knows where the goals are and kicked three of them in the second half. So too Jason Gram, whose two long goals in the second and third term gave the Saints some hope when the Lions were pressing. Stephen Milne got on the board early with a couple as well.

Had the Lions not clunked a few marks when the opportunities came their way in the middle stages, they might have been far enough in front to make it difficult for the Saints.

As it is, the Lions dominated some of the key statistics, which as Leigh Matthews pointed out on the Channel 7 telecast usually means a win. Contested possessions (163-158), tackles (87-75) and inside 50s (54-50) all went Brisbane's way.

The Lions showed resolve to come back after trailing by three goals in the first term. There is some emerging talent at the club - Jack Redden, Todd Banfield and Tom Rockliff being cases in point - but the year will be a log for Brisbane, a bit like the going underfoot at the Gabba.

St Kilda isn't out of the woods by any stretch. The forward line is a mess and the next time Justin Koschitzke plays and gets a kick, it will be his first for the season.

You could do worst than put some money on 'Kosi' to be at a different club next year. His situation smacks of 'change of scenery' or 'needing a fresh challenge'.

With Adelaide, Carlton and Hawthorn to come in the next three weeks, the job is still ahead of the Saints. Win at least two of those and we'll concede that their season still has a pulse.