OVER THE past five years, St Kilda has gone into every season with the football world expecting big things of it.

Those expectations only grew this year after the club dominated the pre-season to win the NAB Cup.

But captain Nick Riewoldt says the Saints have failed to live up to expectations, from within and outside the club.

“We realise footy is a brutal business. We performed well towards the end of last year and in the pre-season, and a lot of people had big expectations for us just like we did as a playing group. When you’re not meeting those expectations, people are going to make comment and have some ordinary things to say about you,” he said.

Riewoldt said he and the playing group had full faith in Ross Lyon’s game plan, but were struggling to execute it.

“All the players are very clear on what we have to do out on the ground, and we are 100 per cent behind the style of play Ross wants us to adopt,” he said.

Riewoldt said fellow tall forwards Justin Koschitzke and Fraser Gehrig were working towards getting back to their best. Koschitzke booted four goals against the Lions, while the skipper said Gehrig is making steady progress in his return from injury.

“I hope he will [come back] ... I’m sure if the physios and doctors can help his body improve then I can see him play later in the year. He has fronted up for every session and meeting, so he is still 100 per cent committed to the club,” Riewoldt said.

Riewoldt thinks it was unlikely that there will be wholesale changes to the team, but said the possible inclusion of Steven Baker from a knee injury would add much-needed hardness to the side.

“’Bakes’ has got a hard and tough reputation. He’s the sort of bloke who can come in and help the group,” Riewoldt said.