St Kilda’s finals hopes in 2021 are all but over after squandering a 36-point lead to lose to Adelaide in Cairns on Saturday night.
The Saints led 36-0 and 54-18 in slippery conditions but faded badly in the second half to lose by six points with the Crows kicking the last seven goals of the match.
It leaves Brett Ratten’s side two games outside the top eight with a poor percentage of 78.3.
St Kilda ran out of steam in the final quarter as Adelaide dominated inside 50s (+15), contested possessions (+21) and clearances (+12).
Stay up to date with all the latest news from SEN. Sign up HERE.
“There’s something seriously wrong at St Kilda. It’s been a woeful year,” Kane Cornes told AFL Media’s The Round So Far.
“I understand they had a whole heap of players out and they’re struggling to field a team, but you do not cough up games like that from that position against one of the youngest and poorer teams in the competition.
“Inexcusable for Brett Rattan. I’m not sure where they go to. It’s going to be a long last eight or nine weeks for them. It’s just been a horrible year and that was on display again tonight (Saturday).”
Matthew Lloyd says the Saints are “poor” in almost every department and suggested a mid-season review after another dismal showing.
“There's a review going on at Carlton, and there may well be one at St Kilda with how they're playing their football,” Lloyd told Channel Nine's Sunday Footy Show.
“I think there might be a mini one over the bye round. It was a damning last quarter.
“They rely on too few. I want to know why (Jack) Billings, Hunter Clark and (Nick) Coffield aren’t developing, why we haven’t seen more from them.
“You get a bit of a fix from the new coach, you get a fix from some new players coming in, but it’s always the next year that’s the biggest challenge.
“They’re poor in just about every department in the game. I’d look at everything.”
St Kilda (5-8) has the bye next weekend before taking on reigning premiers Richmond on June 25.