Sydney star Barry Hall has lamented St Kilda's ability to beat the Swans in one-on-one contests - an area where they have had few AFL peers.

The Saints opened their season on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium with a 15-point win over Sydney.

After a slow start, St Kilda kicked 11 unanswered goals to set up the win.

"Every side, going into round one, the first quarter is the high intensity, all that sort of stuff, so we were really happy with the outcome of the first quarter," Hall told Channel Seven.

"But kicking two points in two quarters after that, you can't win games doing that.

"St Kilda really beat us one-on-one, which we pride ourselves on.

"St Kilda blew us away, I think it was chalk and cheese from the first quarter to the next."

Hall kicked only one goal opposed to former Hawthorn backman Zac Dawson, who impressed in his Saints debut.

Dawson looks a much more accomplished player than the scrawny youngster who suffered against Collingwood's Anthony Rocca three seasons ago.

"He's a very honest defender and he's really quick, he was always at my tail," Hall said.

"Good luck to him, he's come off the rookie list and he's had some tough times."

Hall, of course, had his own struggles last season, when he missed a total of eight games through suspension.

The long-time keen boxer is now trying to make sure he leaves any undue aggression inside the ring.

"It's helped me to this stage, the proof is going to be in the pudding," Hall said.

"If something like that happens again, it obviously didn't work.

"It's just a bit of a release for me - I get out of the ring and I feel really good, I feel relaxed and it clears your head a little bit."

Hall received a seven-game ban last year for the punch that knocked out West Coast opponent Brent Staker.

He is philosophical about the footage of the notorious incident.

"I've spoken about it before, but I'm never going to not see it - it's not the proudest moment of my life," he said.

"I've got to cop it on the chin, you do the crime, you do the time."

Hall added he was unsure whether this would be his last AFL season.

"It all depends on this year, I guess," he said.

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