ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson has rejected talk the Saints were shown their place in an 86-point flogging from Adelaide last Sunday and expects his side to "do something about it" against Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
The Saints barely gave a yelp against the Crows in round four, in a performance Richardson labelled "unacceptable".
Richardson wouldn't – publicly, at least - put his finger on the reasons for the Saints' lack of effort when speaking to reporters on Thursday, but admitted they were "flat".
Whether some players were content with the Saints' 2-1 start to the season, or tired from the trip to Perth in a 25-point loss to West Coast the previous week, Richardson was unsure.
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But the first-year coach now expects a fierce effort against the Bombers, who are also 2-2 and could have to contend with player fatigue from a 53-point loss to Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on Sunday evening, a match played in 32-degree heat.
"Certainly our review (after the Adelaide defeat) was a reflection of what we said straight after the game publicly. We were disappointed with our effort," Richardson said.
"And I think the way the players had input into that meeting, the way they reflected their own performance has continued to follow that path that we were disappointed.
"There's been some talk about the fact that that's perhaps where the Saints are at. No, that was clearly our worst performance in terms of applying the right amount of pressure and effort.
"So we were really disappointed with last week and we look forward to the opportunity to do something about it against the Bombers."
The Saints won't be able to rely on one of their best contested ball winners, David Armitage, who has already been ruled out with a cut knee.
"Dave's been really good for us, he's been really strong. He's a real combative, warrior type," Richardson said.
"He's one of our leaders, so we'd rather have him out there, but it will be a good opportunity for another young player."
Armitage is only expected to miss one match, and could return alongside defender Sam Fisher in round six.
Fisher, who hasn't played since round 10 last year, will return from a hamstring injury via the VFL this weekend.
The 191-game veteran might then come into contention to play the Brisbane Lions in Wellington on Anzac Day.
"It depends how he pulls up, he's had a fair lay off," Richardson said.
Last year's best-and-fairest Jack Steven (fractured foot) pulled up sore from his first game back against Adelaide, although Richardson expected the gun midfielder to be right to take on the Bombers.
