St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says his club's second grand final defeat in six months is a timely reminder that his club cannot take success for granted in 2010.
The Saints were widely expected to be the No.1 challengers to reigning AFL premier Geelong this season after last year's narrow grand final defeat but now have been usurped for the title of No.1 contenders by the Bulldogs after Rodney Eade's team downed the Saints by 40 points in Saturday night's NAB Cup grand final to win their first piece of silverware in 40 years.
And after conceding an average of just eight goals per match in four meetings against the Dogs last year - in winning all four encounters including last year's preliminary final by seven points - the Saints conceded 15 goals to the Dogs on Saturday night as their boom recruit Barry Hall helped himself to seven goals in a best on ground display.
Lyon said the loss was a brutal reminder to his team that it could not take for granted its lofty status in the competition from last year.
"We've got a bit of work to do really," he said.
"It's a great reminder for our players, our coaches and our football club that it's a brutal competition and you can't play in finals until you win enough home and away games."
"It's the sharp message and we'll repeat that at our family day (on Sunday) and from down or me up, whatever way you want to look at it, it's the message – we've got to get to work."
Lyon admitted his team struggled to cope with the Dogs' pressure on Saturday night.
"We slaughtered the ball which was a result of their pressure," he said.
"And in the last quarter I was disappointed that we petered out."
"It was disappointing that they dominated that last quarter and I would have liked to have seen a sustained effort throughout the course of the game."
The Saints, who were without Lenny Hayes and Michael Gardiner, also suffered another injury during the game with star defender Sam Fisher limping off early with an ankle injury but Lyon is confident that both Fisher and Hayes (corked calf) will be fit for the club's opening home and away game in a fortnight's time.