ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon saw some worrying signs yesterday, despite his team maintaining its push for a spot in the top eight.

The 10-point win over Carlton at Telstra Dome meant the Saints have won five of their past six matches and have a 9-8 record with five games left.

Their next opponents are the Western Bulldogs, who are coming off massive losses to Geelong and West Coast.

But Lyon felt areas such as ground work and tackling, which St Kilda had focused on since the mid-season break, were lacking against Carlton yesterday.

While the Saints had the game won with a 35-point lead at three-quarter-time, the Blues charged home in the last term.

"Clearly, our last six weeks have been a lot better," Lyon said.

"But we were beaten in a couple of key areas that we've been priding ourselves on and it's a really good reminder how quickly your form can go, how quickly you get hurt on the scoreboard when those basics aren't executed.

"It will give us a strong focus this week … It was very patchy today."

As the Saints have climbed steadily up the ladder this month, Lyon has stressed the results will take care of themselves if the team keeps improving.

Lyon is even admitting to a spring in his own step.

"Clearly, you can't make too many mistakes with five to go, but in saying that, you're through the really 'grindy' part of the year," he said.

"We've fought our way back through the grind.

"You can see the finish line and it should stimulate a real energy and application, not that it's not there already.

"But the weather picks up a bit, all those things."

The Saints will regain ruck-forward Justin Koschitzke from suspension and will start strong favourites against the struggling Western Bulldogs.

Lyon will demand the same determination from his players that the Bulldogs are expected to bring to Telstra Dome next Friday night.

"They have their backs to the wall. Driving in (yesterday), you hear a lot of talk about them," he said of the Dogs.

"We'll be aware of them coming in fully committed and desperate.

"But there's no reason we shouldn't be the same."

AAP