ST KILDA will be a more open club and its style of play will encompass only a slight altering of its strong defensive mindset, new coach Scott Watters promised on Sunday.

In a step away from the so-called 'bubble' that was former coach Ross Lyon's mantra, designed to insulate his players from outside distractions and criticism, Watters said he wanted the club to become more accessible to fans and the media.

He said there was a "time and place for an 'us against them' mentality", which was highlighted as the Saints' theme in February when captain Nick Riewoldt stated there was a belief that outside people were "trying to break us down".

Last week, Riewoldt told the Herald Sun that the stance, after the Saints encountered a tumultuous summer, had been a mistake.

Now, with Watters at the helm, it appears as though those errors and expressed beliefs will be a thing of the past.

"Looking forward, we want to build really strong relationships with our supporter base, we want to make sure our links with the community are really strong and vibrant, and we want to make sure our media relations are really open and transparent," Watters said on Sunday.

"We want to be connected to the broader football industry and I think our players are looking forward to that opportunity.

"We want to be a part of the bigger picture so does the bubble exist anymore? Did it ever exist? It's not something that's in my train of thought going forward.

"We will be strong communicators, we want to play our part within a bigger industry, we think that will freshen our group and open us up, and I think that will help us play our best footy as well."

As for the game-plan, Watters - a former backline coach at Collingwood under Mick Malthouse - arrives at St Kilda with much respect for what the Saints have achieved with their famous defensive set-up.

Watters said he would keep elements of that trademark, but would add some of his own over the summer that would also encompass "maximising the development" of all players.

"The defensive DNA in this footy club, I think from a competition level has been admired," he said.

"The game changes and moves so quickly now that even in a three to six month period, a game-plan evolves and changes and we want to be at the forefront of that.

"I won't go into specifics but there are some opportunities for us as a group to work on over the pre-season and we'll continue to evolve, not just in the next three to six months but over the next two to three years.

"You've got to stay ahead of the game. We'll take some of what's been great, and with input from a number of parties, we'll add some different layers to it as well."

Watters said rebuilding and contesting didn't "mutually exclude the other", and planned to push through in 2012 with an objective to be competitive while giving opportunities to young players who deserved them.

When asked if he thought the Saints' premiership window remained open, he said he preferred to focus on what lay ahead as opposed to "how close the club has been".

Meanwhile, Riewoldt, who said the players were already on board with Watters' approach to 2012, said a new coach could boost the team back up again in the mould used by Geelong this year.

"I don't see us too dissimilar to Geelong in a lot of respects. At the start of this year, not many people would have thought Geelong would be able to achieve what they did," Riewoldt said.

"A new coach, a fresh start, not wholesale changes, but some development and a bit of tinkering from a new coach and a reinvigorated playing group, I think we're in a pretty similar position.

"We've got a strong core of senior players, some exciting young talent we need to improve and push up and challenge for spots, and I think the combination of all those things is going to be thing that can take us to the next level.

"It will reinvigorate the group I think and it all points to a really exciting and fun year ahead.

"This can be whatever we want it to be."

Watters said he would work with head of football Chris Pelchen across the final 24 hours of the trade period but would rely on the veteran recruiter to pull the main reins.

"I think it's important you lean on the expertise that's within a club, and if you understand Chris' background, that's his absolute area of expertise," he said.

"I'll have input with Chris but it's very much a team approach and we'll bounce ideas off each other."