The Saints have blooded six new players this season and 10 over the last two years, but a number of out-of-contract youngsters have been unable to break into the team in 2013.
Tom Ledger (six career games) and rookie Tom Curren (zero) have pushed strong claims with VFL affiliate Sandringham but are yet to play this season, while defender Tom Simpkin has played two games.
While Watters' philosophy that selection must be earned has not changed since he took charge for 2012, he said opportunities would present in the final third of the season.
"We haven't been holding back younger players for 18 months and playing senior players, we've tried to give players selection opportunities based on their form," Watters said on Thursday.
"I think we've played a lot of developing players who we think are going to be good players for us for a number of years.
"Seven rounds to go, some more will get opportunity.
"They (Ledger and Curren) are two players amongst a number of players that are putting their hands up."
The Saints take on Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, and Watters said matching class Power midfielders Travis Boak, Hamish Hartlett and Chad Wingard would be his team's main challenge.
St Kilda has won just three games this season, but Watters said the team had been competitive since its four-point loss to West Coast in round 11.
"We've been pretty close to getting a result in recent weeks and haven't been able to sustain it," he said.
"We're just going to keep chasing that.
"Last week our ball movement wasn't great … but our level of intensity from a defensive point of view has been pretty good.
"Since the break we've been pretty consistent."
Small forward Stephen Milne will play this week, while Seb Ross is a strong chance to return after two weeks in the VFL, winning 32 possessions at the weekend with Sandringham.
Adam Schneider, who hasn't played since round two this season, is on the cusp of returning from a serious hamstring injury, but he will build form in the VFL.
Watters indicated the clever goalkicker still had a bright future at St Kilda, despite playing just nine games in the last two seasons.
"He's 28 years of age and a terrific player," the coach said.
"We're a better club when Adam Schneider is fit and playing and we'll give him every opportunity to do that.
"It's just about getting some durability back into his body.
"Fingers crossed he finally gets to have a run this week with Sandringham, but we've come close to this point on a few occasions too, so he just needs a little bit of luck."
Nathan Schmook is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @AFL_Nathan
