Josh Bruce and Nathan Brown after the loss to Essendon.
ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson says the team will address its lack of energy and work rate after an “embarrassing” thrashing from Essendon.
The Saints produced one of the most commanding performances of the season in the win over Richmond last week but crashed back to earth in the 61-point hiding.
Richardson said there were signs very early in the performance that suggested the Saints were off.
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“If you don’t turn up with enormous energy and a willingness to defend and a willingness to work you’re going to get embarrassed,” Richardson said.
“They (Essendon) were outstanding, we couldn’t stop them. They just worked through us way too easily and full credit to them, we were a fair way off it.
“We couldn’t have any sort of momentum at all and we couldn’t defend them, and we got beaten in the contest.
Seb Ross walks off after the loss to Essendon.Source:AAP
“So it’s bad combination. Just didn’t defend, just didn’t work hard in the contest, and if you don’t work hard enough to get to the ball, to outnumber to support you end up getting embarrassed.”
Sam Gilbert is expected to have surgery on his finger to repair a suspected compound dislocation.
The coach said the club would assess every aspect of their preparation, including his own performance this week, to find out why the team was so flat compared to last week’s thunderous win.
He said the players were “incredibly disappointed” with the loss that leaves them clinging to a spot inside the eight.
“We had some pretty good performances up until tonight, we sit 9-7, a lot of what we are doing is working. But tonight we turned up without the energy and it was pretty clear from the start,” he said.
“You look at how many games you’ve played, we have had a couple of six day breaks, trip to Perth, we were lacking a bit of run, a bit of energy.
St Kilda coach Alan Richardson at three-quarter time. Picture: Michael KleinSource:News Corp Australia
“Did I not get it right from a coaching point of view, in terms of were the boys at where they needed to be emotionally?
“Did we have too many players hoping, on the back of last week?
“Were we wanting to get on the end of other people’s hard work when we didn’t have enough doing the hard work?
“We got beaten everywhere really.”
Originally published as ‘Embarrassed’ Saints fair way off: Richo
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