300-game Port Adelaide midfielder Kane Cornes is concerned St Kilda may drop drastically down the ladder after yet another poor showing on Saturday against Sydney.
The 83-32 loss to the Swans was the third defeat in a row for Brett Ratten’s men, after finishing Round 11 in fourth position at 8-3.
Speaking on AFL.com.au’s The Round So Far Cornes said the combination of flailing form and a difficult draw could spell disaster for the Saints' season.
“They're done,” he said.
“They were vulnerable … we put up their draw and noticed how hard it was.
“You’re not kicking two goals until the late stages of the last quarter against a side that’s in and around the same spot as you and doing anything this year.”
The 39-year-old was critical of certain areas of the Saints' game that have dropped off since their fast start to the year.
“As promising as the start was, they have a lack of forward options, they couldn’t move the ball with any fluidity, they missed tackle after tackle,” he said.
“Brett Ratten said it was their worst performance last week (against Essendon) and there was no response.
“I’d be incredibly concerned if I was St Kilda, and they could drop right down the ladder this year, particularly with how even it is with Gold Coast, Collingwood and Port Adelaide coming hard.”
St Kilda will hope to welcome back Paddy Ryder, Bradley Hill and Dan McKenzie next week, while Jack Higgins’ one goal, 15 disposal game for the Sandringham Zebras could be enough to see him return to the side.
The draw doesn’t get any easier for the Saints, with Carlton, Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs in the next three rounds in what will be a decisive month for the red, white and black.