Saints flexed their premiership muscle at Griffiths Park on Saturday with a 72-point victory over fellow finals aspirants Cairns City Lions.
A 13-goal tally to mercurial full forward Matthew Walsh helped propel the defending premiers to their eighth win from 10 games but coach Nick Braybon was quick to deny it was a percentage booster for his side.
"There are a few sore bodies around this morning (Sunday)....the Lions definetely play a physical brand of footy.
"There was no way it was one-way traffic by any stretch."
With eight matches until finals, Braybon said his side had yet to put together four consistent quarters this season.
"The boys said after the game that we didn't put in a four-quarter effort so there's still a lot to work on."
While such a large victory would suggest a rampant forward line firing on all cylinders, it was the back line that caught the eye of the-hard-to-please coach.
"Our defensive effort and the way we controlled it was very positive."
"It was also really pleasing to see the boys use different avenues to goal."
As for prolific goalkicker Walsh, Braybon virtually compard him with a fine wine.
"He's getting better with every game as the season progresses. He's not getting any younger and knows how to peak for the right time each season."
Saints came off a two-week break (bye and representative weekend) and their fresh legs were evident at the death.
"It was different having a (two-week) break but it has set us up to attack the back half of the season," Braybon said.
At times the Lions reverted to a possession-based game, eager to chip the ball to teammates rather than kick it long.
This had success in keeping the unbridled Saints Saints scoring machine at bay although it came horribly unstuck late in the second quarter when backman Michael Paul was caught holding the ball in his own goal square - resulting in a free kick and regulation goal for Saints.
Half-back flanker Rohan Couch, centre-man Jesse Dixon and half-forward flanker Jack Philp were among the best for the defending premiers.
For Lions rover Tyler Stack had an imprssive workrate while tagger Daryl O'Toole did a number on Saints mid-fielder Rory Walton.
Lions coach Marc Harbrow said his side, still missing five regular players, had adhered to the style of play he had asked for.
"We did the opposite of what we did against Port (last week).
"They gave maximum effort. The scoreboard doesn't tell the actual story.'
Adhering to the philosophy that a happy footballer is a successful footballer, Harbrow asked his charges to consider their off-field preparation in the wake of a 131-point hiding from Port Douglas in Round 11.
"I asked the guys to prepare away from footy. I asked them to prepare mentally and physically and come to training to spend time with their mates.
"I believe what players do outside of footy represents the style of footy they play on the park."
"We need to aim for Bulldogs, Hawks and Tigers to cement that fourth spot in preparation for finals.
"We played that game to set ourselves up for the next three weeks."
Both sides have stern tests next week with Saints travelling to Port Douglas to meet the rapidly-improving Crocs and the Lions meeting fellow finals aspirants Centrals Trinity Bulldogs.
The Lions will be boosted by the return of former Brisban Lions Jared Brennan.
The mercurial utility is expected to be a key target in the Lions forward line and should bring some much needed leadership to the side.
Braybon is not under any illusions about his side's trip to Port next weekend.
"They're one of the top teams and they'll definetly go in as favourites because it's their house.
"Over the journey we've had a lot more losses up there than we've had wins so we'll be looking to get the win but you've got to respect them - they're well coached and well drilled."
In other matches, Port Douglas cemented their top-three position with a 62-point victory over Centrals Trinity while North Cairns' season of woe continued with a 34-point loss to South Cairns.
Last Modified on 06/11/2014 14:34