BOOM recruit Jordan Lewis says it’s crucial to keep Melbourne’s outstanding 30-point win over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium in perspective.

Although the four-time premiership player said it was a significant opening round win for the club, given it was also Melbourne's first win over St Kilda since 2006, he added it was the start of a long season ahead.

“I think it’s important [that we started the season strongly],” he told Melbourne TV.

“We understand it’s round one and it’s not a final or Grand Final, so we enjoy the win for an hour or two, but then we review the game like we always do and we try to keep that neutral emotion throughout the week.

“We understand we’ve got a game next week and it’s nice to beat St Kilda, because we haven’t beaten them for a long time, but it’s just another win.”

Lewis said Melbourne’s slow start – when it trailed by almost four goals at the first break – was corrected by the group at quarter-time.

“We were 23 points down and they had the crowd on their side, so we came in at quarter-time and we knew we just had to reset ourselves,” he said.

“We had a simple focus in the second quarter and we brought that hungriness around the ball, and then we were able to play from that.

“We pegged the lead back in one quarter and we thought it would take it a little bit longer, but to do it in one quarter and play the way that we wanted to play after that [was pleasing].”

Playing his first game for the club, Lewis said he could feel the game turning Melbourne’s way as the second term progressed.

“The momentum went our way and then it went back their way, but I just think we held it for a longer period of time and we capitalised when we had the momentum,” he said.

“They missed a few shots at goal, especially early and late, which hurt them in the end.

“It was just exciting to play, [because] when we play the way we want to play and we bring that eagerness and hungriness around the ball – our game flows from that.”

Making his debut for Melbourne, after crossing from Hawthorn last October, Lewis played his 265^th AFL game. Despite a wealth of experience and a stellar career at the Hawks, the normally pragmatic ball-winner said he did feel emotional in his first home and away red and blue outing.

“I wasn’t nervous this morning, but it hit me when I was running out and the banner was there and the song was going – that was when it hit me that I was playing for a new side, which is funny because I’ve been involved in this organisation for six months,” he said.

“I just tried to not be overwhelmed by it, but I think in the end I was emotionally drained and it was just great to get the win.”

Lewis was one of Melbourne’s best players, notching up 32 disposals, nine marks and six inside 50s. But the ultimate professional said he had some areas to work on.

“There are still some improvements there. I turned a few balls over, which I don’t like, [as] I’m usually pretty composed with the ball,” he said.

“All in all, it’s nice to get your hands on the ball, but at the end of the day, it probably pales into insignificance [when you win].”

Meanwhile, Lewis said he was genuinely moved when St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury in the final term.

It brought back some memories from a similar situation, when Bulldog captain Bob Murphy suffered a season-ending knee injury against Hawthorn last year.  

“I just thought of Bob Murphy to be honest,” Lewis said.

“I was nearly in the same position as Bob, when he did his.

“You don’t like any player going down, but when it’s a champion of the game, it certainly hits you.”