Dal Santo played in the Saints’ 2004 and 2008 pre-season flags but says NAB Cup results are insignificant.
“We are here to improve each week and if that means we win then so be it and if it means we lose then we’ll take that result as well," Dal Santo said on Tuesday.
"We’ve won two of these NAB Cups in the last five years and it hasn’t meant a great deal in the regular season so I don’t read too much into it.”
The 26-year-old was quick to dismiss any suggestion a NAB Cup flag would ease the pain of losing last year’s grand final against Geelong.
“Obviously you still think about it and people bring it up in the street and the media bring it up now and then. We have to deal with it - that’s the way footy is,” he said.
“But if you dwell on it for too long you miss your next opportunity. We’ve had a really good pre-season and we’re really looking forward to having another good year.”
Dal Santo played his first game for the season last week against the Sydney Swans after missing St Kilda’s intra club match and round one NAB Cup win over Collingwood with a minor ankle injury.
“The lungs were burning a little bit early and the legs weren’t feeling as good as they had during the pre-season but I feel better for the run and I’m looking forward to this weekend and the weekend after,” he said.
Dal Santo has made his name in the midfield for St Kilda but said he was looking to spend more time closer to goal this year as the Saints on-ball rotation expands.
“The game has changed again and you have to be a bit more adaptable," he said.
"I’ll move forward probably with BJ (Brendon Goddard) a bit and hopefully kick a couple of goals to relieve the tall group that have done the job over the last couple of years."
Nick Dal Santo is a $457,200 midfielder in this year's Toyota AFL Dream Team.
