“When they walk out of that meeting they’ve got to have real clarity around what didn’t work.”

That’s the outcome St Kilda Coach Alan Richardson wants when his players complete their review meetings on a Monday afternoon or early in the week.

Speaking in his weekly slot opposite Geelong coach Chris Scott on AFL 360 after St Kilda’s 50-point loss to Sydney on Saturday, Richardson said the post-game analysis internally was all about the ‘why?’

“It’s not only what happens immediately after the game, but also what happens today at the footy club in terms of the review,” Richardson said on Fox Footy on Monday night.

“What didn’t we get right in terms of a technical perspective, a tactical perspective, what we’re trying to do with match-ups and method?

Monday Wash-Up: Round 9 v Sydney

“Your want from a coaching perspective is real clarity: Why did this happen? Why were we slightly off in these areas? That’s the moment that you need to capture for the players.

“We tried to force the corridor way too much (against Sydney); we went a little bit too quick too often in terms of our offence and it’s as poorly as we’ve defended.”

With the review now complete and the focus areas clearly identified, St Kilda turns its attention to the reigning premiers, Western Bulldogs, who are also coming off a loss and also sits at 5-4, with both sides one week out from the mid-season bye.

Only one Saint earns coaches votes

Given the extreme evenness of the competition this season – one win separates third and 12th – Richardson believes there are no easy games in 2017, with no team clear cut premiership favourites and every team a work in progress.

“That is footy: you are tinkering and evolving and working on your game all the way through,” Richardson said.

“The competition is just so even now, and this was one of the messages today to the players, every footy club is going to have to scrap and fight to get a win every week; that’s how even the competition is.

“What are we? One win off third, one win off 12th.”

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