St Kilda midfielder Seb Ross admits the Saints weren’t up to scratch against Sydney on Saturday and will need to be more effective with their pressure against the Western Bulldogs.
Despite registering 22 more tackles than the Swans at Etihad Stadium, St Kilda only narrowly won pressure factor and didn’t nullify John Longmire’s side through tackling, with Sydney players often disposing of the ball whilst being tackled.
Ross continued his eye-catching start to the season on the weekend, this time collecting an equal career-high 37 possessions (13 contested), eight clearances and eight tackles against the Swans.
“We knew we were going to be in for a big contest, Sydney have been playing pretty well and they definitely brought that contest,” Ross told saints.com.au after the 50-point loss on Saturday.
Monday Wash-Up: Round 9 v Sydney
“We probably weren’t quite up to scratch. Our pressure probably wasn’t quite where we wanted it to be.
“That (post-match) meeting was more based around the pressure side of things. We won tackle by 22 but too many times today the Sydney guys were able to catch a handball and turn and look at the game. That will be an area to work on against the Dogs.”
St Kilda wingman Jack Newnes had his day ended prematurely with concussion when he barrelled into Sydney young gun Callum Mills midway through the opening quarter in a courageous act that ended up in a goal against the flow.
Ross said the act typified the way Newnes goes about his football and how he has built his reputation across the first half of his career, which reached the 100-game mark at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
“That sort of act typifies his whole career,” Ross said.
“He’s put his body on the line for 100 games now and we saw it firsthand today.
“He brings great courage, great ball use and he is just a really good team guy.”
St Kilda now faces last year’s premiers the Western Bulldogs on Saturday before both teams head into their mid-season bye.
