THE win-loss column may not be too flattering after nine weeks of the season but the St Kilda spirit is as strong as ever.
The Saints have a 2-7 record heading into this week’s clash with North Melbourne but Saints coach Scott Watters said the morale around the club was still upbeat.
“We’ve got a fantastic group. They are really resilient and they know that they’re learning. Our leaders are really positive. Nick (Riewoldt) has been outstanding this year, Joey (Leigh Montagna) continues to perform really solidly,” Watters said.
“Our young guys just want to get better so you have to bounce back from a loss. They have a great opportunity to play in a great competition so they are excited to play.”
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The Saints sit in 15th position on the ladder but Watters said that had not lowered any standards or expectations at Linen House Centre.
“From our point of view the pressure is on every week. We want the pressure to be on our players, the way we train and we are hungry to get better. We’re not comfortable where we sit and we don’t want to be at this stage of the season and to have won two games,” he said.
“At the same time we look at four losses under 20 points but that highlights to us that we need to keep striving to improve. If you watch our young guys train and our older guys train, you wouldn’t think the pressure is off. They are working pretty hard.”
This week’s opponents North Melbourne have also been on the wrong side of several close games this season and have been particularly prolific in the media this week after Sunday’s narrow loss to Adelaide.
Watters said the Saints were preparing to take on a fired up North Melbourne keen to get back on the winner’s list.
“They are a good side. You lose four games by four points or less and it shows they are a good side. We respect them as a club and respect the way they play. We expect a fierce battle. They are a terrific side,” he said.
“We’re very focused on our need to improve, our game plan and our need to develop younger players so whatever situation eventuates at the end of the game we will be prepared either way.”
North Melbourne’s Brent Harvey (350 games) and Daniel Wells (200) will be celebrating major milestones this weekend, as will Saint midfielder Leigh Montagna.
Watters paid tribute to Montagna, who has been one of St Kilda’s best players in his 12th year at the club.
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“He is a great player. This is a really hard competition. To play 200 games at the standard he has been able to play – he has been a good player in big games. He is a good player right now where we need our leaders to really stand up and lead,” Watters said.
“I think he has been an outstanding contributor to this football club and he is the sort of player who could play for another three or four years. It is a tribute to him and I hope we support that performance this week.”
Luke Holmesby is on Twitter - @LukeHolmesby
