St Kilda coach Scott Watters wants the AFL's heat policy to be examined after stifling NAB Cup conditions.
Adelaide, Port Adelaide and St Kilda fight for bragging rights in their NAB Cup triple-header at AAMI Stadium.
Saints players cool down during the round one AFL NAB Cup match against the Adelaide Crows. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images
ST KILDA coach Scott Watters wants a review of the AFL's heat policy after breaking even in a scorching start to the club's NAB Cup campaign.
The Saints thumped Adelaide by 26 points but then wilted in a 50-point loss to Port Adelaide, before the Crows downed the Power by 16 points in the final game.
Watters said St Kilda's medical staff were on "high alert" during their games, played in 38C at AAMI Stadium.
How the Saints v Power v Crows unfolded
The only concession to the searing heat was each club being allowed two extra drinks carriers.
"Maybe a few extra players, maybe shorter halves, but at the same time we're trying to get some mileage into our players (and) we have limited rotations coming up in NAB (games) two, three and four," Waters said.
"With 80 rotations per game in those three games, it's really important that we get mileage into players today because we're going to have no flexibility at all in (games) two, three and four.
"So next week you've got to be really cautious in exposing your player to a game where there is only 80 rotations. Our medical staff will have a lot of work to do over the next couple of weeks."
According to Champion Data, Port Adelaide made 100 interchanges to St Kilda's 72 in their clash.
Watters said St Kilda had got a lot out of both games.
"To expose players like Jimmy Webster, Nathan Wright (who) played both games today - and if you look at the 34 players we had, there were 20 who had played less than 20 games of footy for this club," he said.
"It was great learning for our young players on how we need every player to lead regardless of whether you've played five, 10 or 200 games."
Gold Coast recruit Tom Hickey and WAFL draftee Tom Lee stood out.
Hickey impressed with his ruck work and marking around the ground, showing he'll be a likely partner for Ben McEvoy, while Lee was lively as one of two focal points in the forward line.
"I thought he (Hickey) was good and marked it well," Watters said.
"(He's) still developing some good centre-bounce work. I don't think our inside mids capitalised on that, so just building that understanding is still happening. But he took some really good marks in testing conditions so it was a good start."
Arryn Siposs was trusted with the kick-ins against Adelaide and was the go-to man as St Kilda rebounded from defence while Terry Milera, Ahmed Saad, Stephen Milne and Trent Dennis-Lane ran amok at the other end.
St Kilda's next game is against Sydney at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, March 3.
Watters said Nick Riewoldt and Lenny Hayes were chances to play.
"Roo is knocking down the door but he would probably be NAB three or four and we'll assess Lenny ... possibly next week but certainly the week after."
For Port Adelaide, first-round draft pick Ollie Wines, from Echuca, was a standout.
Few teenagers are built as strongly as the bullocking onballer, who kicked a goal and had eight disposals against the Saints.
Former Bomber Angus Monfries looked dangerous up forward as well as adding to Port's midfield numbers. He saved his best for the second game when he had a game-high 11 possessions and kicked a goal.
Former Swan Campbell Heath was rock solid in the back half and Kane Mitchell and Lewis Stevenson had their moments in both games.
But the surprise packet was 170cm, 67kg lightweight Jake Neade.
The pocket rocket acquired in a trade from the Giants was spectacular inside-50 in the first game against St Kilda.
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