RICHO UNDER THE PUMP

SAINTS-SUNS GAME HOLDS THE KEY

AFTER an embarrassing 71-point loss to Sydney on Saturday, the blowtorch is firmly on the embattled Saints ahead of this week’s clash with fellow strugglers Gold Coast. It’s a match coach Alan Richardson knows could determine his fate.

ALAN Richardson admits he is coaching for his job if he cannot turn around a St Kilda side he slammed as “embarrassed” by Sydney on Saturday night.

Richardson yesterday made it clear he felt his side was soft at the ball early, saying his midfield was nowhere near as physical as required.

St Kilda chief executive Matt Finnis and president Peter Summers have both maintained Richardson will see out his contract until the end of 2020.

Paying out Richardson’s contract will cost the Saints about $1 million if he does not have clauses in his contract limiting the club’s exposure.

St Kilda has gone 11 games with only a draw with GWS. It is taking on Gold Coast away this week in a contest that would have dire consequences with another loss.

Richardson was frank yesterday about his future if he could not arrest the slump.

“I reckon I have been in footy long enough to know if we can turn this around and show promise and play much more consistent footy that will be fine,” he said.

“If that doesn’t happen, I reckon we are all on notice.”

He said St Kilda was not planning a full football department review mid-year to assess the reasons for the season failure.

It is understood the Saints completed a significant review last off-season and felt they had made meaningful changes.

They included securing exSydney defensive coach Henry Playfair, hiring goalkicking coach Ben Dixon and increasing their work under performance mind coach/mindfulness expert Emma Murray.

Jake Carlisle will return from suspension against Gold Coast, with Jack Billings prolific in the VFL yesterday and Josh Bruce also doing well.