St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has the proverbial lid welded shut despite a 53-point dismantling of Gold Coast sending the unbeaten Saints clear on top of the AFL ladder for the first time since 2009.

Jack Higgins kicked five goals as Mitch Owens and Jack Sinclair starred in the Saints' 17.11 (113) to 8.12 (60) victory at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

It was their fourth straight win to start the season, leaving Lyon's new-look outfit as the last side with a perfect record.

St Kilda (4-0) sit two points clear of their nearest rivals Carlton (3-1-0).

But greater tests lie ahead, starting with a clash against flag fancies Collingwood next round.

"We're going to get challenged," Lyon said.

"We're not going to go through undefeated, we understand that.

"But based on how we measure ourselves, we're pleased."

Second-year forward Owens (27 disposals, two goals) and All-Australian half-back Sinclair (31 disposals, one goal) were outstanding in the Saints' latest triumph, set up with a five-goal burst during the second term.

Seb Ross (30 disposals, five clearances, one goal), Brad Hill (22 touches, two goals) and Brad Crouch (34 disposals, six clearances) helped blow Gold Coast away after quarter-time.

But the victory came at a cost when substitute Jack Bytel was helped off the field with a left ankle injury just minutes after being thrust into the game in the final term.

"We felt sick in the box. We replayed it and thought it was an ACL," Lyon said.

"It's a high-grade ankle injury but until we scan it we don't know. We think there's no fracture."

Touk Miller (32 disposals, 10 clearances), Noah Anderson (37 disposals, 10 tackles, seven clearances) and Lachie Weller (30 touches) were among the Suns' best.

Gold Coast lost co-captain Jarrod Witts (soreness) before the opening bounce, leaving debutant Ned Moyle to battle in the ruck against Rowan Marshall.

They started well but failed to capitalise on early territorial dominance as the lead changed hands four times during the first quarter.

Higgins provided the Saints' spark in attack with three goals in the second term as they skipped 22 points clear by half-time.

It was party time in the third quarter as Hill and Owens kicked goals for the highlights reel and the margin ballooned to 47 points.

Gold Coast never seriously challenged their hosts after the main break.

"The first quarter was probably our best for the year but St Kilda cranked it up and we lost all composure and all system with the ball," Suns coach Stuart Dew said.

"It's really disappointing. We failed this test.""