Hawthorn have ground their way to a 28-point AFL win over St Kilda in a frustrating game of defensive tactics at the MCG.

The match did not open up until the last quarter, when the Hawks kicked six goals to two and won 10.12 (72) to 6.8 (44).

That was easily the most productive quarter of the game - up to then, the two sides had scored only seven goals over three quarters.

Jarryd Roughead kicked three for the Hawks and Sam Mitchell had 35 possessions, while St Kilda veteran Robert Harvey had 25 disposals.

Saints full-forward Fraser Gehrig kicked his two goals in the last term, but had to limp off after the second to compound a disappointing night for his team.

The Hawks improved their season to five wins and three losses, while the Saints are now 4-4.

The crowd booed the players off the field at halftime, something the two coaches later said they did not hear.

But Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson defended the match, saying it was exactly the sort of low-scoring, pressure football often seen during the finals.

"It was a terrific contest, an absorbing duel and so it's just great for us as a footy club to go through those types of experiences," Clarkson said.

"Finals footy more often than not ... is low-scoring footy.

"For us to play in that type of environment against a pretty polished outfit ... it was really pleasing."

Clarkson also praised his players for maintaining their workrate and finally breaking the game open in the second half.

He pointed out the Hawks had often struggled in similar sorts of games.

"It's a tough day - (as) tough for the players as it is for the coaches, because we're not used to playing that type of slow-moving ... footy," he said.

"That was really pleasing for us, that we were still able to manufacture a win and keep believing in ourselves.

"It was two goals each at halftime, it was like a game of soccer, in the second half we were at least able to break the game open."

Emerging Hawks star Lance Franklin kicked a goal in the last term, but overall he returned 1.5 and another shot out of bounds on the full.

Saints coach Ross Lyon was unapologetic when asked about the standard of the game.

"It's an entertainment business so we try to entertain, but the first responsibility is to win," he said.

Lyon also strongly defended his team's tactics, saying they could not let the Hawks dictate the game.

"Different teams let you play different ways, that's fact - Hawthorn play a unique brand and in the circumstances, if you give teams everything they want, you're going to get opened up pretty quickly," he said.

In reference to two Saints defenders starting by themselves, he said that was because the Hawks usually only set up with four forwards.

"We played six defenders ... did you see seven, eight or nine defenders for us?" he said.

"Where do you want them (the two extra backmen) to go - do you want them to play in our forward line?

"Maybe they were waiting for their opponents to come back to them."

Lyon also saw several positives - three players making their debuts, continued improvement from defenders James Gwilt and Sam Gilbert and the leadership of Harvey and Riewoldt.

He said the Saints would know more about Gehrig's fitness on Sunday.

Overall, he thought the key was St Kilda's inability to make the most of their scoring chances.

"I thought we ran okay and to three-quarter time it was anyone's game ... (there was) a bit of a lack of polish in front of goal when we had opportunities," he said.

Late changes meant the Saints were forced to play three first-gamers - Brad Howard, David Armitage and Justin Sweeney.

None were in the team named on Thursday night, but Armitage was one of the inclusions on Friday when Matthew Clarke and Clinton Jones withdrew through injury.

A virus forced Jason Gram and Xavier Clarke to pull out on Saturday, bringing Sweeney and Howard into the team.

Max Hudghton, Lenny Hayes and Gram could return for Friday night's away match against Fremantle, while Steven Baker will be back from suspension.

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