St Kilda coach Alan Richardson could zero in on any number of AFL sins after Saturday’s record loss to Hawthorn.

But pressure will be the No.1 focus for the Saints after they fell apart in wet conditions at the MCG.

Hawthorn’s 145-point win broke the record for the highest margin between the two clubs, while St Kilda’ 4.6 is their lowest score against the Hawks.

The Saints also had a club-record low 25 inside 50s.

Apart from a brief fightback late in the first term, they were harassed and bullied into submission.

“We got an absolute belting today,” was Richardson’s blunt assessment.

“We won’t focus on ball use today – they smashed us with their use of the footy.

“It will be about pressure and our inability to apply enough pressure … and how flimsy we were under their significant pressure.”

Until Saturday, the Saints had made an encouraging start to the season under their new coach and were 3-3.

They bounced back quickly from an 86-point belting from Adelaide in round four to upset Essendon the following week.

But rallying from this will be a whole new challenge.

Their next match is the Monday night game on May 12 against Carlton at Etihad Stadium.

“I’m confident we’ll get our energy and effort back,” Richardson said.

“We’ve been pretty good in that area.

“We’ll certainly be treating this, while incredibly disappointing, as an anomaly.

“I’d be disappointed if we didn’t respond with effort.”

The Saints have also received bad injury news, with Jarryn Geary rupturing an elbow ligament in his 100th game.

He will need surgery and could miss the rest of the season.

Richardson also confirmed that Tom Hickey’s foot injury will sideline the ruckman for 8-10 weeks.

First-year player Jack Billings was one rare highlight for the Saints, while veterans Leigh Montagna and Lenny Hayes also kep trying.