Coach Scott Watters remains bullish about St Kilda’s AFL finals prospects despite making the midseason turn with a square win-loss record.
The Saints fell four points short of Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Friday night, leaving Watters’ club with six wins and losses.
The first-year head coach said St Kilda’s bye this weekend came at an opportune time for his jaded players.
But Watters believed the Saints were primed to press for a finals spot in the second half of the season.
“We are six and six, in need of a break, but ultimately still with our own destiny in our hands,” Watters said after the loss to the Crows.
“We have had some close losses that you need to turn into close wins.
“We’re still very positive about where we sit.
“They (his players) will freshen up over the bye, which is really important for the group, and we’ll reload.
“We’re looking forward to the second half of the year with real optimism.”
The Saints were gallant in defeat, belying their six-day break to kick six goals to one in the final term against the Crows, who had a bye last weekend.
But Adelaide banked their early advantage to win 17.13 (115) to 16.15 (111) and rise to second on the ladder.
“I’m loathe to say it was a great fightback in the end because that doesn’t pay credit to the way Adelaide played for the majority of the first half,” Watters said.
“I admire the courage of our playing group but I demand more of them.
“Honourable losses, that is not what they want and that is not what I demand as a coach.”
Adelaide joined ladder leaders West Coast and third-placed Collingwood with nine wins and two losses.
But Crows coach Brenton Sanderson was critical of his freewheeling players becoming involved in a scoring shoot-out with the Saints.
“Behind closed doors we talk about the difference between taking a risk and playing that Hollywood style,” Sanderson said.
“We’re not ready for Hollywood.”
Adelaide travel to meet North Melbourne next Sunday with St Kilda’s next match also against the Kangaroos, on July 1.