St Kilda coach Scott Watters has issued a public challenge to Nick Dal Santo after the star AFL midfielder was shut down for the second time in three weeks.
Dal Santo had only 14 disposals in Saturday night’s 35-point loss to Hawthorn at the MCG after an outstanding tag from Hawks onballer Jordan Lewis.
Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley kept Dal Santo to 18 touches a fortnight ago, playing a crucial role in the Dockers’ tight win.
Watters said it was up to Dal Santo to work through this extra attention from opposition run-with midfielders.
“Good players need to take that challenge head-on,” Watters said.
“Yes, you need support from your teammates. Yes, you can play different roles. But ultimately that’s got to light a fire inside Nick.
“Otherwise you become an easy target.
“He needs to work through that. He’s a proud individual. He’ll be disappointed in the result (and) he’ll address it through the week.”
Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson and Lewis said they regarded Dal Santo as a crucial man in the Saints midfield.
“We identified him during the week as their most dangerous ball user, especially through the midfield,” Lewis said.
“I tried to nullify him in the midfield but also work forward and make him chase.
“It worked out well and I’m pretty proud of the boys tonight.”
The Saints could have been front at three-quarter time, but missed a couple of shots at goal late in the term.
Hawthorn then overran them in the final term.
Watters said some missed shots at goal in the first quarter also cost the Saints and thought their intensity might have waned.
“Maybe our ability to sustain the type of pressure we want faded (on Saturday night),” he said.
Watters stressed he did not want to make excuses, but noted younger players such as Terry Milera and Arryn Siposs had important roles.
“We need to put these players under pressure, they have to play games,” Watters said.
“If they come forward our side moves forward, if they don’t then we stagnate.”
Two experienced players who impressed were key forward Justin Koschitzke and tall utility Jason Blake.
Koschitzke kicked five goals and Blake became their No.1 ruckman when Ben McEvoy was injured at training during the week.
McEvoy will have knee surgery on Monday and will miss up to six weeks.
“He’s a warrior, you can’t ask for any more from him – he’s just an outstanding individual and a great clubman,” Watters said of Blake.
The Saints have three wins from six games and have also lost defender Sam Fisher, one of their most important players, for at least a fortnight with a hamstring injury.
They are in the midst of a tough run, with Carlton, West Coast away and Sydney at home to come.
“We need to pinch some games against some good sides, so it (losing to Hawthorn) was a missed opportunity in many ways,” Watters said.
