WHEN St Kilda midfielder Farren Ray last worked with Alan Richardson at the Western Bulldogs eight years ago, it was the experienced coach's direct communication that had the biggest impact on him.
A new draftee at the Bulldogs in 2004, Ray worked closely with Richardson in his first two seasons before the assistant coach moved to Collingwood as part of a long and winding apprenticeship.
Now reunited at St Kilda, it is again Richardson's clear communication that has stood out to Ray in his first week of pre-season training under the new senior coach.
On his first day back at the club on Monday, Ray received an immediate appraisal on where he stood with Richardson and a breakdown of what he needed to work on.
"He just said, 'Look mate, you've played some good football the last couple of years and this is what I'm going to challenge you on'," Ray told AFL.com.au.
"It's as simple as that. Often players can think too much into what coaches say, and that's all it has to be.
"He's a really clear communicator. That's something I noticed back then, and it's something I've noticed again straight away."
Becoming a more offensive player is something Ray has been working on for two years and it is an area Richardson said he would be challenging him on.
Playing predominantly wing and half-back roles, the 27-year-old averaged 21.3 disposals and 3.8 inside 50s in 2013, enjoying a consistent individual season.
"I want to try and get forward from the wing and half-forward and kick some goals and get my attack indicators up," Ray said.
"I've always been a fairly defensive style player; I run a lot of defensive patterns and do a lot of my work across half-back.
"When Scott (Watters) came in a couple of years ago he identified that and said, 'I want you to be a bit more attacking'.
"The last couple of years I've worked on that, but he (Richardson) is going to challenge me offensively again, which will be good."
It is not only Ray who has had instant feedback from Richardson since he took charge, with the senior players pulled aside this week to be briefed on their responsibilities.
"He addressed the team fully on Monday," said Ray, who will enter his 11th season under his fifth senior coach.
"He's obviously spoken to the younger guys, so they went out of the room and he said to the older guys he's going to really drive the senior group.
"If we're not setting the standards it's going to filter through the whole team.
"He did hammer that point home and I reckon that made the older boys feel pretty good."
Ray said he would drive the young Saints list in his own way, complementing captain Nick Riewoldt and senior players such as Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna and Sean Dempster.
He said he would take a special interest in the club's three new recruits who will arrive this week via picks No.3, No.18 and No.19 in Thursday's NAB AFL Draft.
"I remember what it was like in 2003-04; if one of the older guys didn't come and talk to you, you thought they hated you," he said.
"I've played 10 years now and played a few games, so you have to set the tone for the group.
"If that's being in the leadership group then so be it, but if not I'm not going to lead any less.
"I'm still going to drive the group and try get us back to where we were."
