ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson has lamented his side's inefficiency, but praised his charges' for turning around their form and drawing with Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.
The Saints were the better side throughout the tight and scrappy contest, which was highlighted by their huge inside-50 tally of 67 to the Giants' 46. But with some shoddy foot skills, they couldn't capitalise on that dominance and fell 18 points in arrears midway through the final term.
ALL TIED UP: Full match coverage and stats
Richardson was buoyed by his team's response after what has been a miserable start to the season for the club, particularly in its ability to kick the last three goals of the game and give themselves a chance at an upset win despite losing key midfielder Jack Newnes to concussion in the first term.
But he said the Saints still have plenty of work to do to capture their best and consistently challenge the top teams in the competition.
"It's a bitter pill to swallow when you give yourself an opportunity, but in all reality we haven't been flying. Clearly that's an understatement," he said.
"And against a quality team, with 'Newnesy' out of the game pretty early, we played in a way that gave ourselves an opportunity to beat a really good team. So that's the big point we take out of the game."
WATCH: Alan Richardson's full post-match media conference
That chance came down to the final seconds, when Jack Steven ran down the wing and kicked the ball to Jake Carlisle, who was 35 metres from goal.
But Carlisle couldn't complete the mark after a fierce spoil from GWS captain Phil Davis.
WATCH: Jake spills late chance
Richardson said he, at first, thought Carlisle deserved a free kick for the contest but had cooled down after the contest and said his player should have completed the grab.
"I thought it was a free kick. I'm sure the vision will show as much, I probably carried on a little bit too much [in the coach's box]. I don’t tend to worry too much about umpiring decisions but when there's two seconds on the clock there's nothing else to worry about," he said.
"Simon Lethlean (St Kilda football manager), who was with me, said it was probably not a free kick.
"It was a really good play to be able to get ourselves an opportunity to be able to have time and space and I thought Jack Steven executed and did a good job there.
"Jake, the previous two plays, was struggling a bit down back and he'd been outstanding for us all game. It was good both those guys were able to give us an opportunity to win the game. We're disappointed we couldn't close it out."
Richardson said his players had more of a say on the team's preparations and plans for the Giants this week after a month of poor form to start the season, and added the midfield had led the way throughout the clash.
He also pointed to impressive performances from younger Saints Paddy McCartin, Ben Long and Brandon White as positives from the draw.
St Kilda heads to Tasmania next week to take on Hawthorn.
