Alan Richardson isn't allowing himself or his rising AFL team to get carried away with their season despite a third-straight win on Saturday.
After a dogfight for three quarters, St Kilda overwhelmed Carlton late to record a 19-point success at Etihad Stadium.
The Saints' fifth win of the season has them in fifth place - well above the previous high-water mark for Richardson's previous seasons.
They were 2-6 in both of the past two years.
Against Carlton, Richardson says he was most pleased that his team got the game on their terms when it was there to be won in the fourth quarter.
But Richardson is keeping the lid firmly on at St Kilda, even if there's a wave of excitement about their prospects.
"I'm positive about the way we're heading and I'm incredibly realistic we're at round eight," Richardson said.
"Our best win has been GWS ... (but) we're talking about one win really in terms of a win that makes a bit of a statement.
"We need to improve and grow as this season unfolds.
"I know this is going to be a really good footy team.
"You can never nail when that's going to be but I think the group's heading the right way."
Richardson saluted a standout performer in Jack Billings and a key moment from Seb Ross.
Billings was best afield after kicking five goals and tallied 30 touches in what Richardson called "a big game".
Ross was among a clutch of St Kilda midfielders that will vie for the remaining Brownlow votes - including Jack Steven, Jack Newnes and Jack Steele.
Richardson says the fourth-quarter goal by Ross that returned St Kilda to the lead was a thing of beauty.
"To take that moment, to duck it under his arm and run and break 50 and say I'm going to be the man and finish his work, that was really positive," he said.
"Seb's been building for a while now."
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