SCOTT Watters has lamented his side’s inability to play four quarters of consistent football.
The Bulldogs booted six goals in the last term to run over the top of the Saints by nine points, a final quarter drop-off that the Saints coach likened to the Carlton game a fortnight ago.
“Our ability to sustain the performance [wasn’t good],” Watters said. “We’ve seen that in the last couple of weeks, even in our win over Carlton, the ability to go for four quarters is a challenge for us as a group at the moment.”
Instead of lamenting St Kilda’s back-to-back six-day breaks, Watters believes the short turnaround between games is a “learning experience” and isn’t an excuse for a loss.
“[Six-day breaks] are the things are younger players need to come to grips with. That’s the competition, that’s the fixture,” he said.
“Does it test them? Yeah, absolutely.”
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Watters said that his young midfielders will benefit from continued exposure at AFL level and eventually learn to compete for the entire contest.
“Seb Ross and Jack Newnes, they probably fall into that bracket where they can’t quite deliver that four quarter performance … If they are continually exposed to that, they work through it and become resilient,” he said.
Ross collected 21 disposals tonight, equalling his career-best performance against the Blues in round seven, while Jack Newnes registered 10 touches and three rebound 50s.
With David Armitage a late withdrawal and Lenny Hayes subbed off in the third quarter, the Saints were an experienced ball-winner short. Leigh Montagna filled the breach again, finishing with three inside 50s, two goals and six tackles.
“Leigh Montagna ends up with 27 or 28 touches and plays close to a complete midfield performance,” Watters said.
Fellow experienced star Nick Riewoldt enjoyed another stellar game in the forward half, booting four goals before copping a heavy knock to the head in the dying stages of the contest which forced the skipper from the field.
“I actually just spoke to him (Riewoldt) just then and he seems fine,” Watters said. “It didn’t look great at the time but he’s up and about [and] pretty chatty. That’s a positive.”
Watters is optimistic veteran on-baller Hayes will be fit to play against North Melbourne next week after sustaining a corky against the Bulldogs.
“You rarely miss with a cork,” he said. “We get a seven day break which gives us a chance to get him up.”
You can follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32
