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The two losses that saved a coach (for now)

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson needs to show Saints fans he cares about his club's fortunes if he's to avoid a disappointing 2019 campaign. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)
Roar Guru
5th June, 2018
4

Finally, after a season of horrors, the Saints have responded.

In the last quarter against West Coast, and for the first time this season, St Kilda looked not just like a competent football team, but a team that could actually go somewhere.

A glimpse of this appeared against Richmond a week ago, but faded as the Tigers got on top.

But against the Eagles, the Saints not only got on top, but gave victory a very good sniff under some trying circumstances. Of course, they didn’t win and that’s important to remember – but when there were genuine predictions that the would struggle to kick goals, and that without Carlisle the backline wouldn’t be able to contend with the potent West Coast forwards, a two-goal loss doesn’t look that bad.

Of course, there are some who say that the Eagles switched off in the last quarter. Now, there is switching off, and then there is almost losing an unloseable game. Make no mistake, West Coast did almost lose this game – and in the final quarter it was St Kilda’s mistakes that guaranteed an Eagles victory, rather than good play.

It’s must have been nice for St Kilda to finally have a forward target who was actually accurate. Of course, against Richmond, Jade Gresham fulfilled this role well. But Tim Membrey, who cannot be said to have been anything other than horrendous in front of goal this year, finally found his ability, and his form from the previous two seasons.

The difference between his six goals straight and 1.5 from his outing against Fremantle a few weeks ago is simple – had he kicked straight against the Dockers, St Kilda would have won. And his kicking against West Coast put his side in a position to win.

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If the midfielder can trust the forwards, as they clearly did against West Coast, suddenly they look a lot more confident. They can move the ball faster and be more precise in their disposal.

Suddenly, a gameplan that looked inept a few weeks ago when the forward line wasn’t functioning, now looks capable. Not spectacular, but capable.

So where to now for Alan Richardson?

Well, the chatter about his imminent dismissal has died down – the last two weeks have shown that he is not done as coach yet. But it has also shown that he needs help around him.

He must make sure that he is either be surrounded by more experienced assistants, or that he is given an experienced director of coaching to report to.

Despite his 34 per cent winning record, Richardson has proved he can coach. The team’s performance over the last fortnight has given him the breathing room that he requires.

Now, he and his team must seize this opportunity.

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Sydney on Saturday night looms as an extreme test of this mini-recovery. Whatever the final result, St Kilda cannot surrender as they have done so many times this season.

Another ‘honourable loss’ would still be enough – if the Saints continue to show passages of play like they did against West Coast – but a walkover, as has happened against the Swans so many times in the last ten years, would be a disaster for the team and Richardson’s career.

And what about a win? Well at this stage, a win against Sydney would be one of the most valuable since Richardson has been at the helm. But even a win, if it’s followed by more bad losses, will see his fate sealed.

If the team continues to perform, Alan Richardson should and will survive. But one slip up, and his position will become nearly untenable.

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