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Alan Richardson lashes St Kilda’s lack of physicality after horror loss to Sydney
ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson said his team was “smashed” and lashed his player’s lack of physicality in a disastrous first quarter. RECAP ALL THE DAY’S ACTION
ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson said his team was “smashed” and lashed his player’s lack of physicality in a disastrous first quarter where they conceded the opening nine goals to Sydney.
The Saints have now lost their past nine matches against the Swans and their past seven by an average of 11 goals. Richardson said the nature of the 75-point loss would force the Saints to “ask questions of each other”. MR 34 PER CENT: WHERE RICHO RATES AMONG THE COACHES MATCH: SAINTS EMBARRASSED BY EARLY SWANS ONSLAUGHT It is just the second time since 1986 St Kilda has gone 11 games without a win. The other time was 2014, also under Richardson. “We were just beaten comprehensively everywhere by an outstanding footy team,” Richardson said. “We just weren’t in the fight, we weren’t in the game. Whenever they went forward they scored, they were cleaner (and) they were certainly tougher. “They were a ruthless footy team and we were far from that.” Jake Carlisle will return from suspension next week in a must-win clash against Gold Coast although the Saints could lose Nathan Brown to concussion. At quarter-time an animated Richardson singled out youngsters Josh Battle and Jade Gresham as the only players performing at the required level. Richardson praised second-gamer Battle’s physicality as someone prepared to tackle and “sacrifice their body”. “It was an unacceptable performance,” he said. “We lost the second half by 10 points, but it was done and dusted by then. We just can’t put up with that sort of performance when the game’s up for grabs.” There was a deathly silence in the St Kilda rooms before players were called in to be addressed by Richardson. He addressed them behind closed doors for about 15 minutes before fronting the press. St Kilda has now lost five games this season despite either breaking even or winning the inside 50 count. They managed just seven goals from 55 entries. The Saints fielded the second-youngest team of the round. They allowed Sydney to take 23 marks inside 50 and were smashed 18-6 in clearances in the first quarter, although they broke even after that. Richardson will attend Sandringham’s VFL match today demanding players put their hand up for selection. Full-forward Paddy McCartin, who kicked 1.3, said the players simply had to try and earn back respect after quarter-time. “We did that all right (but) we threw the game away in the first quarter,” McCartin said. “It is what it is.” RECAP ALL OF THE DAY’S ACTION IN THE BLOG BELOW LIVE stream every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week trial & start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >
Originally published as Alan Richardson lashes St Kilda’s lack of physicality after horror loss to Sydney