ST KILDA midfielder Farren Ray says playing "tough" is the main direction from new coach Alan Richardson and is proud the Saints passed their first test against Melbourne on Saturday night.
Richardson's post-match whiteboard was centred around the single word "tough", which he then used several times in dissecting the game in his press conference.
Winning the contested ball was important, which the Saints did 125 to 121 in the 17-point win, and defending strongly was also key.
They were pipped in the tackles, 54 to 56, but their pressure in the Demons' forward line – led by veteran Sean Dempster – was significant in stifling their opponents' scoring ability in the second quarter.
Ray said Richardson's approach had been simple, and their response left the majority of the players knowing they'd achieved the team-orientated "trademark" that had been set out.
"The main thing we wrote on the board was tough – that's it," Ray told AFL.com.au after the game.
"The main message was that we were tough, and I agree.
"Every team has their trademark. Our trademark, we prefer to keep behind closed doors.
"When you come off the oval, you should know if you've ticked it off or not. Yes or no."
Ray said the "trademark" was something the Saints prided themselves on but declined to elaborate on the specifics of what it was.
He said it was something that worked for the club during the Ross Lyon era when they reached Grand Finals in two successive seasons, and believed it would lead them back to where they needed to be.
"That's all we're about this year. If you can come in and play your role for the team and tick off your trademark, that's what we did '09 and '10, that's what will get us back to being a good side," he said.
"[The four points] are the cream on the top - as long as we come out and we give good effort and show that we're tough and play Saints footy, come Monday morning, most blokes can kick off a trademark.
"If you can tick off and say you've been a Saints' man, we should get the result.
"We're still a long way off but it was just great to hear the fans singing the song with about two minutes to go. It was just great."
The Saints now have the opportunity to move to two wins from as many games with a clash with Greater Western Sydney – fresh from their win over cross-town rivals the Sydney Swans last weekend – next Saturday at Etihad Stadium.
Ray said they were under no illusions as to the challeng posed by GWS, having lost to the Giants by 68 points during the pre-season in Wagga Wagga.
"We played the Giants a few weeks ago and they smacked us, and they beat Sydney," he said.
"It's not going to be an easy game and I'm glad we've got them down here.
"But winning round one is just massive. It gets the season rolling and we can reset and load for GWS."
