St Kilda played “boring footy” throughout the opening three quarters in their loss to Sydney on Saturday night, says Leon Cameron.
The 51-point defeat at the SCG further dented the Saints’ finals hopes, surrendering their top eight status after slumping to a third straight loss since the mid-season bye.
St Kilda registered their lowest ever score (32) against the Swans, kicking just two goals to three quarter time. It was also the lowest ever score by a Brett Ratten-coached side.
The Saints didn’t take enough risks with their ball movement and lacked efficiency in possession, according to Cameron.
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“St Kilda were just forced boundary side all the time and they needed to be more risky,” the former GWS coach told AFL Nation post-game.
“St Kilda owned the outside near the boundary, but the Swans owned the inside and that gave them more scoring opportunities which led to more inside 50 marks, 12-6, and they came through the middle of the ground far greater than what St Kilda did.
“Their efficiency with the ball was better than the Saints, and in the end, you just sensed in that third quarter that they just didn’t want to take any risks and the Swans pounced on it. They pounced on it in a six-minute period.
“They (the Saints) went down the line three-or-four times boundary side, the Swans win it back, straight back through the middle, score, goal. It became deflating for the Saints.
“Overall, the first three quarters, people will look at it as boring footy.”
Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says the Saints simply don’t have enough talent compared to other sides in and around the top eight.
“They don’t look as sure behind the ball as they did in the first part of the year,” Buckley told SEN Breakfast.
“I think they’re going to struggle going forward because I think some weaknesses that were there are now coming through a little bit.
“They’re out of form, but I don’t think they’ve got the talent level that some sides have got.”
St Kilda (8-6) next face in-form Carlton (10-4) at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.