ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson says his side has itself to blame for a horror loss to Sydney, but is confident it will only be a blip in the season.
The Saints’ ball use cost them, the Swans making them pay for numerous turnovers in the back half as they stormed to a 50-point triumph.
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St Kilda’s kicking going forward was no better, either, the side managing just six marks inside 50 from 47 entries.
Most the other key statistical categories were won by the Saints, who laid 22 more tackles and won 11 more clearances.
“They just outplayed us but it shouldn’t have been that margin and it was that margin because we just butchered the footy,” Richardson said.
“Part of that was Sydney (pressure), but there was too often when we had players that weren’t under pressure and weren’t able to execute, whether that was rebound or entry.
“They scored too much from our own kick from the back and they scored too much from our poor kick going inside 50 and gave themselves opportunity to get really strong field position. So we can do something about that, but they were just too good for us today really.”
St Kilda coach Alan Richardson talks with Koby Stevens Picture: George SalpigtidisSource:News Corp Australia
St Kilda had won five or its previous six matches entering the game and Richardson is confident that his side is still on the right path as it looks towards a clash with premier the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium next Sunday.
“This time last year we were 3-6,” he said.
“We look forward to the opportunity to respond. We come up against a team next week that’s an outstanding footy team that are also 5-4 and coming off a loss, so we look forward to that opportunity and the challenge.”
Playing his 100th game, Jack Newnes took no further part in the match after an opening quarter collision with Callum Mills left him concussed, but Richardson said post-match early signs were good for the defender.
“He’s really likely to play next week. That’s the early call,” Richardson said.
“He’s a really important player for us.”
Originally published as Saints coach: We butchered it
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