St Kilda kept hold of their spot in the AFL's top eight with a 30-point upset win over Hawthorn at Telstra Dome thanks to Nick Riewoldt's magnificent kicking.

The Hawks had St Kilda's measure at halftime and led by 28 points, but Riewoldt booted three superb goals in the third quarter as his side turned that deficit into a nine-point lead at the final break.

The Saints skipper, who has endured his struggles with accuracy this season, finished with six goals, 10 marks and an inspirational return as his side powered away to win 18.11 (119) to 13.11 (89).

St Kilda's win was their fourth in succession and prevented Hawthorn from taking second spot on the ladder, following the Western Bulldogs' defeat to top side Geelong.

This win was the most impressive of that quartet, as the Saints found themselves unable to pierce Hawthorn's zone defence in the first half and struggling to contain the Hawk forwards.

But they broke the defensive shackles and Riewoldt set the tone for the remarkable turnaround, by slotting a good goal from an angle to start the third quarter and then snapping truly from the opposite flank a minute later.

Ruckman Jason Blake also struck a purple patch as he kicked three goals for the quarter and was crucial in giving St Kilda some clearance wins.

Far from run out of steam when they edged in front, St Kilda powered away.

Nick Dal Santo capped a fine game in the midfield with goals either side of three-quarter time from the difficult side for a left-footer, while two inspiring tackles almost lifted the roof.

First, Clinton Jones ran down Lance Franklin just as the Hawk star was about to unload for goal, and then David Armitage laid a strong tackle to set up Riewoldt's sixth goal.

When Stephen Milne snapped another, the Saints had booted 12 of 14 goals in the second half, in a concern for one of the form sides in the competition.

The Hawks looked to have all the answers in the first half, with Mark Williams, Franklin and Jarryd Roughead (all three goals) dangerous in attack, and the more meaningful possession.

But the Hawks looked panic-stricken after halftime when the pressure lifted, and made several bad errors, notably an interchange infringement which gifted Blake a 50-metre penalty and goal and a tentative Jordan Lewis kick-in, which was marked by Dal Santo.

Hawthorn midfielders Sam Mitchell, Brad Sewell and Luke Hodge were instrumental in building Hawthorn's lead early, but their St Kilda counterparts Dal Santo, Leigh Montagna, Luke Ball and Lenny Hayes finished much stronger.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said the win was pleasing given the Saints came from behind to beat quality opposition at a vital point in the season.

"It was a critical result ... all it means is we stay in the hunt to force our way into the eight if we keep winning, but it was a pleasing effort from the group against quality opposition," he said.

He said St Kilda won more contested possessions and tackled hard after halftime, and praised Riewoldt for leading the way.

"His work rate enables him to always contribute to the team," he said.

"Sometimes that work rate will allow him to kick six and sometimes it will be three but you know it's always going to be there ... he's a significant leader of this team, as is Lenny Hayes, and from there everybody jumps in them behind them.

"Leadership is everyone's responsibility, but really, you appoint a captain for a reason and you appoint a vice-captain for a reason because when you're under pressure like we were in the first half you want them to stand up and lead the way and I thought they did that."

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said he was happy with the way his side was performing to halftime, but said they could not get their hands on the ball after the main break.

He said St Kilda's third quarter would provide his players with a lesson in coping with opposition run-ons ahead of Friday night's eagerly-awaited game against Geelong.

"We've got to lick our wounds for a couple of days and get ourselves ready for the Cats because there's a lot of talk and hype out in the wider football community about the heightened expectations of Hawthorn, but this was a bit of a reality check for our club," he said.

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