ST KILDA is not far away from finding its best form after disappointing in consecutive losses, ruckman Billy Longer says.
The Saints were 5-3 a fortnight ago and had won three straight games, including an impressive 23-point win against premiership fancy Greater Western Sydney.
However, a 50-point loss to Sydney followed by a 40-point defeat at the hands of the Western Bulldogs has seen St Kilda fall to 10th on the ladder with a percentage of 98.4.
Longer remained optimistic at Seaford on Tuesday, saying the side only needed to make minor adjustments.
"It was only three weeks ago that we were really in some good form, so it's not a crisis," Longer said.
"We haven't lost all the good work that we've done through the pre-season. It's just finding out what we've gone away from a little bit."
Delivery into the forward line has been an issue for St Kilda this season and Longer said it needed work.
"We need a little bit of connect with the mids (and) forwards, and the backs as well. We've done a lot well but there's definitely some key areas we need to fine-tune," he said.
Having the bye in round 11 also isn't ideal, as Longer said the team "100 per cent" wanted to redeem itself this week.
"We're all pretty hungry and it's a little bit tough to go into a break after a loss. Every man who played out there for us on the weekend would love to rectify what we did and have a solid game as soon as possible, but that's just the way it is with the fixture," he said.
The Saints face a tough challenge when they return, coming up against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on a Friday night.
Former captain Nick Riewoldt will be touch-and-go for that clash after suffering bone bruising in the left knee that has caused him grief over the past few years.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Webster is a chance to return from a broken right hand after training on Tuesday. Tom Hickey will likely have to return through the VFL after suffering a medial strain in his left knee but he too trained on Tuesday.
Longer, 24, returned to the senior team in round five against Geelong after spending most of last year on the sidelines with concussion or in the VFL.
He said he appreciated the third man-up no longer being allowed at ruck contests, even if Riewoldt was often used in that role last season.
"It's something I think worked really well for us last year, but I'm happy with it just being as it is. I'm fine to not have other knees jump into my back when I'm not looking, so having just the rucks battle I'm keen to keep," he said.