St Kilda might not be making the most of their opportunities in front of goal this season, but the Saints are determined to turn the wheel in their favour, says Alan Richardson.

Despite running away with a 31-point win over Gold Coast on Sunday night, St Kilda missed plenty of chances before finishing with 14.19, a week after posting 12.17 against North Melbourne.

Richardson said the players are as disappointed and frustrated as the supporters, but the direction from the coaching staff at Linen House Centre is to keep creating scoring opportunities.

“What we do need to call out, particularly for our fans who would be as frustrated as anyone, is the guys are working really hard on their goal kicking,” Richardson told reporters in his post-game press conference on Sunday night.

“Whether that be set shot or running into an open goal; they work on all facets of their play. They are a terrific group of young men who will continue to work on it.

“They are disappointed they are not making the most of their opportunities but our message as coaches is just forget that, keep creating the opportunities.

“As long as you keep doing the work it will turn, there is no other way.”

St Kilda key defender Nathan Brown continued his fimpressive first season in red, white and black at Etihad Stadium, holding All-Australian key forward Tom Lynch goalless and to just four marks in 89 minutes on the Gold Coast co-captain.

Having struggled to contain big-bodied key forwards in the past, especially during Richardson’s time at the club, the Saints coach said the form of Brown and Jake Carlisle has been a positive to emerge from the season so far.

“We’re really pleased with ‘Browny’. We think our ability to be able to defend the bigger blokes has been a positive and it was an issue for us last year,” Richardson said.

“We thought ‘Browny’ was really strong again, Jake was good and was able to get forward at a pretty important time for us too and make the most of his opportunity.

“Both boys have been really good for us.”