ST KILDA'S strong first half against the Sydney Swans is a promising sign for the club's future, coach Scott Watters believes.
The young Saints took the fight up to the Swans at the SCG on Sunday and although they were ultimately overrun, Watters said would be better for the experience.
Like they did Hawthorn last week, as well as Geelong in round 18 and Fremantle in round 15, the Saints battled diligently against a higher-ranked opponent and showed glimpses of their best before being well beaten.
"Last week it was three very competitive quarters against Hawthorn, this week it is a good half
against a premiership side," Watters said after the match.
"They [the St Kilda players] are aware of where they are deficient from a running and pressure point of view, [and] they are excited about another pre-season."
On Sunday, scores were level at quarter-time, and the Swans held a 14-point advantage at the main break before a seven-goal-to-one third term broke the game open, with the Swans eventually winning by 59 points.
Watters said the opportunity for the likes of second-gamer Darren Minchington - who turns 20 in December and made his debut against Hawthorn last week - to play on seasoned veterans would prove invaluable heading into the 2014 season and beyond.
"They have got to soak up those experiences and they will then take them into a pre-season," Watters said.
"Very optimistically, as a club we look at the players that are playing and we can see where they are going to be in 12-24 months.
"We need to add some class to that, particularly through our midfield, certainly improve our defensive stocks."
Watters said that class will come as players such as Jack Newnes and Sebastian Ross mature, as well as from the draft.
"We need to improve our list and we need to develop from within," Watters said.
"We will do both."
