As both the players and their coaches continue their strides in season 2021, distinctive groups have broken out throughout the race.

Some, like the Bulldogs and Demons, have dashed from the starter's gun, with the desire to create lightyears between themselves and the pack.

Sadly for others, they are barely attached to the peloton anymore.

Whether first, second, third or 18th along the road to the last Saturday in September, every side and their side coaching team still have question marks over their head.

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St. Kilda

Do they have a plan B?

Despite the fact that many in the media have chastised the Saints half-forward line โ€“ a large chunk of their engine room as well โ€“ for being front runners, you can be sure that they are only following orders.

At stoppages, Brett Ratten deploys two men behind the football, another pair on either side for switches and a small army of inside midfielders to win the ball.

When the inevitable happens, and the Saints once again lose the clearance, their defense is at sixes and sevens.

If they do manage to win the ball, the former Carlton coach's message seems clear โ€“ push forward with pace.

Last season, St. Kilda took 353 shots at goal, with 75% of them coming from less than 25 metres out from the big sticks. This season, it has dipped to 69%, as opposition teams remain spry to their desire to move the ball and โ€˜get out the back'.

Sure, the fact that the Saints have only had one of their rucking duo for just one of their five games this year has hurt them, but this aforementioned lull in their previously highest production area points to a fact that the plan has been nullified.

The question now remains โ€“ what are Ratten and his coaching staff going to do about it?

Perhaps the initial plan is too complex for the coach's playing stocks, and perhaps they don't win enough of the ball, but if this season is to be salvaged, it appears that now is time to bust out any form of back-up plan.

Although the vast majority of this group and their coaching staff brought the Saints' finals drought to an end last year, a failure to return will only ever denote their season as one itself.

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