Scott Watters' mission for Brendon Goddard

ST KILDA coach Scott Watters says he's trying to get Brendon Goddard to balance his game out.

ST KILDA coach Scott Watters says he's trying to get Brendon Goddard to balance his game out.

He said he was trying to develop him into more than just a "sweeping'' defender.

"One of the things we've really tried to challenge Brendon with is not to be a player that wins the ball across half back, and play that sweeping role,'' Watters told On the Couch.

"I think over three or four years, I think a lot of players these days, we have the plus one role, that players sweep into.

"If you play that role all the time, in many ways, I think it detrains you so we've actually played him in a number of different roles this year.

"He's played wing, he's played as a defender, he's played as a high forward and he's played as an inside mid because I want to challenge him to win contested ball and balance his game out.

"I think he's played some really selfless roles this year. A lot of times his work inside of stoppages releases a lot of our other players so he's been more selfless.''

Goddard copped a two-match ban for a swipe at North Melbourne's Sam Wright.

Watters said players needed to control their aggression.

"He's been knocked over a couple of times by some taggers,'' he said.

"Good players need to cope with that. And how you respond to the taggers tactics, you've got to be composed.

"I don't want any of my players to have their buttons pressed. You've got to control your reactions, you've got to dictate the way you want  to play.''