St Kilda coach Scott Watters insists his AFL side will fight for every inch over the next fortnight as their ordinary 2013 campaign comes to an end.

The Saints have posted just three wins this season, putting them ahead of only Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney on the ladder.

Watters’ charges could be excused for thinking of off-season trips ahead, but showed plenty of first-half fight on Sunday in a 59-point loss to Sydney at the SCG.

St Kilda will have a great chance to etch a fourth victory for the year next Sunday when they host Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium.

The second-year coach was confident his rebuilding side would attack the match in the right mindset.

“The players want to grind out every inch. They want to play every minute right through to the final game,” Watters said.

“Last week it was three very competitive quarters against Hawthorn. This week it was a good half against a premiership side.

“Gold Coast are probably a side that’s a little similar to where we sit, so we look forward to that challenge, and then we’ll reload for Fremantle after that.”

Watters paid tribute to senior players Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna and Adam Schneider – and the way they had helped ensure young players got as much as possible out of the many defeats.

“The support they’ve been giving them, the encouragement they’re giving them out on the field, I think they’ve been terrific,” he said.

“It’s been a tough year for them, there’s no doubt.

“But they’ll get through the next couple of games, freshen up and do a pre-season with a lot more depth at this club.”