St Kilda will try and get to the bottom of how they could perform so differently in the space of six days, says rebounding defender Shane Savage.

The Saints produced one of their best performances since the grand final era of 2009 and 2010 against Richmond last Friday night, but turned up a completely different side against Essendon on Friday night.

In his second game back in the senior side after a stint at Sandringham, Savage was one of St Kilda’s best players, hitting the target with all but one of his 31 disposals and accumulating 487 metres of gained territory.

“We spoke (after the game) about how we could be so different,” Savage told ABC Grandstand after the 61-point loss on Friday night.

“We came out last week and we were on fire and this week we didn’t really show up at all. I guess we’ll review that during the week.

“We’ve played three games in 13 days; we need to recover because we go up to Sydney next week which is a pretty important game.”

After playing only one game in Alan Richardson’s side between Round 4 and 15, Savage is determined to hold onto his spot and make the most of his opportunity.

“Obviously I’ve had a pretty disappointing year. I got my opportunity last week and I just want to make the most of it. The goal for me is just to play consistent footy,” he said.

Savage said the role Richardson is asking him to perform at the moment is to defend first and then provide drive out of the back half.

“My role is as a pure defender; Richo wants me to give a bit of ping off half-back as well when we have the ball,” he said.

“I tried to do that when we had it but I tried to defend as well as I can whgen theyt had it as well.”