ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson has dismissed his side's underwhelming interstate record as it prepares to travel to Perth to face Fremantle on Sunday.
The eighth-placed Saints have lost 11 of their past 12 interstate games and six straight at Domain Stadium, where they last won in 2011.
But Richardson was quick to point out that his team led West Coast at the venue in round two until the 21-minute mark of the last term before conceding the last five goals in a 19-point loss.
"We were disappointed that day we didn't get it done," he told reporters.
"While we haven't had success (at Domain Stadium), it suits the way we play, the way we defend and the way we attack and we're looking forward to the opportunity.
"I think the reality is we haven't been an outstanding footy team in that period against teams that have been pretty strong. That's probably the most important factor.
"But we have identified there have been some performances we haven't been overly proud of … I think as our team improves and becomes more consistent in our footy, no matter where we play, the interstate record will look after itself."
Ex-Giant Jack Steele, who won 36 disposals in the VFL last weekend, and first-year draftee Ben Long made the trip west and are in line to return to the Saints' senior side. The other potential inclusion, Daniel McKenzie, is remaining in Melbourne.
Jack Billings will also be on the plane after being sick earlier in the week.
"(Steele)'s really highly ranked in the competition, let alone in our footy club, in terms of putting pressure on," Richardson said.
"He just dropped off in terms of being able to get his share of the ball. He's a really good user of the footy – he's got great composure and really strong execution skills.
"He went back (to the VFL) and we were really pleased with the way he performed and he's given himself a chance to come in."
The Dockers – who have lost four matches in a row and gave up a 34-point lead on the road against Geelong last week – included stars Nat Fyfe and Aaron Sandilands in their extended squad.
Richardson is prepared for them to partner Sandilands with last week's 201cm debutant Sean Darcy, but will take only one recognised ruckman, Billy Longer, into the match.
"We think 'Brucey' (Josh Bruce), when he goes into the ruck, has been pretty positive for us," Richardson said.
"We have a couple of other options that we think we can use in the ruck, so we still have a bit of flexibility there, even though Billy's going to be the main man."
St Kilda climbed back inside the top eight with consecutive victories over North Melbourne and Gold Coast, but Richardson said there was still "a fair bit of upside to come".
"We want to be in the eight when the home-and-away (season) is done, so it doesn't mean a lot, to be honest, that you're eighth position in June," Richardson said.
"What is positive is we've been able to get our footy back. We're sitting in eighth position with a lot of scope to improve …
"Our defence is something I've been most pleased with the last couple of weeks. The Kangaroos, and the Gold Coast on the weekend, are quite attacking teams and we were able to restrict them – that was really positive."
