ST KILDA'S senior players have been pushed out of their comfort zone this summer as they search to make amends after a 2013 season that left them embarrassed, according to captain Nick Riewoldt.
With just five wins last year, the Saints endured their worst season since 2002 – Riewoldt's second season at the club – prompting what is now a "full rebuild" under new coach Alan Richardson.
Riewoldt said the senior players had to work hard to re-establish their credibility under Richardson and a number of new football department staff, which had been a healthy process for the group.
On the club's performance in 2013, he said: "I think embarrassed is probably right".
"First thing's first when a new senior coach and a new group walks through the door, it's a new group of people to earn respect from," Riewoldt told AFL.com.au.
"I think that's really healthy for a senior player to have to go through that because you can get comfortable … that's something that certainly hasn't occurred this pre-season.
"It's a really proud group who's been able to achieve a lot of great things and really wants success, so when you fall short of that there's always a feeling of not quite living up to what you expect to achieve.
"All the senior players have been pushed to new levels and pushed to get more out of ourselves."
Riewoldt is one of four St Kilda players aged 30 or older, along with veterans Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna and Sam Fisher.
The star forward said the group was onboard with Richardson's approach to list management and their relationships with the new coach were developing well.
"I think he's got a great rapport with all the players and he's really transparent and honest, so no one would have any illusions about where they sat," Riewoldt said.
"It's only been a few months, but no doubt those relationships will grow and develop from spending more time together.
"I think any relationship between players and a coach takes time."
Riewoldt praised Richardson's emphasis on fundamentals and hard work through the pre-season, saying: "that's what we want as players".
"He just wants us to play tough footy and be fit," Riewoldt said.
"We've trained harder this pre-season than I can remember for probably five or six years, so we're going to be fit.
"And we've done a lot of physical stuff, a lot more full contact work earlier than in previous years.
"It's just been a pretty basic philosophy so far, it's been about cracking in and doing the work."
On his own pre-season, Riewoldt completed cross-training work in America pre-Christmas before linking up with the team for its Colorado training camp.
He started running in the New Year, keeping to a schedule similar to that of previous pre-seasons and says he will be ready for the season after one or two NAB Challenge games.
The four-time All Australian said he expected to have further orthokine blood treatment to manage his troublesome knee this year.
"It's not the type of condition that's going to improve, it's just about managing it," he said.
"I would assume I'd do something similar to last year and the year before."
