St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has spoken on the 'disappointing' conclusion to his side's 2023 campaign, noting some attention will be placed toward long and short-term gain as the Saints look to build out their list.
The Saints bowed out of the premiership hunt on Saturday afternoon through a four-goal loss to GWS, who have booked themselves an interstate trip next weekend for a semi-final encounter.
St Kilda seemingly defied the odds to remain in contention for a shot at the flag in Lyon's first campaign back at Moorabbin, managing to prove any doubters of their top eight chances wrong.
While their September showing wasn't a success, the experience St Kilda's youth have gained from their maiden post-season appearance will go a long way for their remaining years under Lyon and potentially beyond.
From a wider lens, Lyon took some positives from how his younger ranks competed, while captain Jack Steele was praised for his efforts in a "lone hand" role against the Giants' star-studded midfield group.
The Saints coach said his side "had an opportunity we didn't take", with a number of areas opening up weaknesses off the back of the Giants' constant run and spread.
"It comes and goes quick doesn't it? It was fleeting. We're clearly disappointed. I'm disappointed for all of the club and the players. We had an opportunity we didn't take," Lyon told reporters post-game.
"There's no excuses. They just got it done in the contest and on the spread. There's been a couple of trends all year. Probably stoppage work scores against and our efficiency.
"We've moved the ball really well at times, but what is it? Is it youth? Is it a bit of system? Disability to connect and continuity? even when we were coming, we were having some A-grade looks that become B or C-grade opportunity.
"I knew what the challenge would be, particularly with the midfield. Steele fought a lone hand in there really, Ro (Marshall) was okay. Windhager went in there.
"But when the game was up for grabs I really thought Kelly, Green, Ward and Daniels in there as the high half-forward really got to work on us and challenged us on the transition front.
"I thought we fought on, but every time it looked like we were about to put on a bit of pressure they just scored relatively easily. We didn't defend, but they overloaded our defence with run and spread.
"Disappointed. I thought we've got more in us than that. We didn't respond to the energy and intensity that we expected."
Lyon said he's been left impressed with how the likes of Mitch Owens and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera have composed themselves at senior level, but understands more senior pieces are needed in their list strategy for "near-term assistance".
While wanting to add some top-line talent to his squad that can have an immediate impact on the Saints, Lyon spoke on the rarity of sourcing a star player from the open market.
"I can't head to Woolworths on Glen Huntly Road and buy one I know that. None of them are there on a half-price special," Lyon joked.
"There's the mechanisms. Trade, draft, free agency. So we'll explore all of those things. It was never going to be a one-year build. We're going to build it out over a period of time.
"I think we've grown a lot. I'm proud of our growth, proud of our mindset, our fight. But we've just got to keep building out. Our player list, style of play... there's a lot to like. We're trying to bridge the gap, we know that.
"We had all those kids in today. We've invested a lot in the future, so we get a short-term sugar hit.
"I think we should get some natural growth out of our dedicated first and second-year players like Phillipou, Caminiti, Owens, Windhager and Wanganeen-Milera. Cooper Sharman was a shining light, we've just got to build around them for the long term and also try and get some near-term assistance."
The Saints' season exit sees their place in the draft queue begin at Pick 12.
