Alan Richardson’s St Kilda rebuild is entering its final phase, writes David King

ALAN Richardson has rebuilt St Kilda and the form of Seb Ross, Jack Steven and Jack Billings is evidence of his masterpiece, writes David King.

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson before the Saints clash against North Melbourne.

ST KILDA’S growth over the past three and a half seasons has been brilliant.

Alan Richardson has long been recognised as the guru of player development, fast-tracking youthful talent into AFL players.

Success has always followed him, as evidenced particularly by his Port Adelaide and Collingwood assistant coaching stints, but this St Kilda journey is different. It’s all Richo’s.

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St Kilda was an awful mess in 2013 after losing 12 of the last 15 games when Scott Watters was in charge.

In fact if Mark Neeld hadn’t been overseeing Melbourne’s excruciating 1-10 start to that same season, the fallout at St Kilda would have been more dramatic.

Enter Richardson, a calming influence who adopted a crawl before you walk mentality and now has the Saints running.

Former St Kilda coach Scott Watters.

Current St Kilda coach Alan Richardson.

They have had a steady build from four to six, then 12 wins last year before charging up the table with their 9-6 record. The results are significant but the methods and standards set are far more impressive and clear for all to see, particularly for success-starved Saints fans.

Seb Ross is a case in point, because his improvement under Richardson has mimicked the team.

Ross has averaged 16, 18, 27 and now 31 disposals a season over the past four years. His personal growth and game day impact is now being recognised widely.

Only Hawthorn recruit Tom Mitchell has had more disposals then Ross since the first month of the season.

Last weekend Ross personified “Saints Football”. Midfielders are rarely accountable for an individual opponent as the collective judgment is considered all important, but don’t tell him that.

He had 33 disposals and kicked a goal, but that paled into insignificance compared to his clamping role on Dustin Martin, whose influence he curbed significantly.

Martin wasn’t given a centimetre as Ross monitored his every move and thwarted any opportunities for easy, uncontested possessions. At all times Ross had eyes only for his opponent as the game continued around them.

Richardson’s cultural mantras are not words but actions and exhibit an unwavering discipline that for most clubs is only a pipedream.

Seb Ross in action against Richmond.

Saint Jack Steven. Picture: George Salpigtidis

It’s a genuine player buy-in that can manifest into something special in the next two to three seasons while the Saints continue their transition from a reliance on Nick Riewoldt.

Riewoldt no longer needs to be a scoreboard influence or a best-afield contender for the Saints to win.

“Saints Football” is ruthless and uncompromising but lately this phenomenon is starting to feed on itself, growing week-on-week now that the wins are coming.

Nothing generates more hunger for success than reward.

The foundation is set for a prosperous period and the St Kilda board must lock away their torch bearer. While it doesn’t seem Richardson is going anywhere, I’d still like to have that in print as the chequebooks are produced at a couple of clubs desperate for onfield answers — clubs that haven’t had a Seb Ross-type buy-in.

Jack Steven now has a partner in crime but this midfield must become multi-pronged.

Alan Richardson addresses his players.

Jack Billings and Jade Gresham have played their roles as half-forwards with great effect and, while their ball use is sublime, they’re required to become more than part-time wingman.

The minute they transform into genuine, ball-winning midfielders it will be go-time for the Saints.

St Kilda’s midfield has improved its contested possession and clearance returns this season but only marginally — it remains mid-table or slightly lower. This must change if the Saints are to mix it with the big boys in the near future.

A Josh Kelly injection into this midfield would be a game-changer, we all know that.

It would have a greater impact than Adam Treloar at Collingwood, because Kelly at St Kilda would have significantly better forward of centre targets to pinpoint than the Pies — or possibly even the Giants.

I’ve been critical of the Jake Carlisle acquisition but his impact down back has been profound.

Currently he sits among the AFL’s top 15 intercept players and only four players have taken more intercept marks this season.

The Saints are brilliant defensively and without the football they are among the toughest teams in the competition to move the ball against.

Jake Carlisle marks over a Richmond opponent.

Their offence since Round 12 has become the most effective at punishing opposition turnovers, the AFL’s most prevalent scoring method. Great signs.

St Kilda may not achieve the levels of last weekend’s second quarter against Richmond very often, but the fact the players are aware of just how good they can be brings its own confidence.

It’s important that confidence doesn’t consume all and they don’t get ahead of themselves.

Against Essendon, we’ll wait to see if the Saints can reset and continue to enforce the ruthless football to which we’re becoming accustomed.

The development phase is over.