Injuries, youth, travel: Dal Santo gets defensive after Saints' goalless game
St Kilda coach Nick Dal Santo defended his team's record-low score in their recent AFLW loss to the Western Bulldogs. He cited injuries, a short recovery period, and travel fatigue as primary factors for the poor performance.
Why it matters
The performance of professional sports teams under physical strain highlights the challenges of scheduling and player welfare in elite leagues.
Nick Dal Santo has pointed to a long list of reasons why the Saints didn't perform against the Bulldogs
--> St Kilda players look dejected after a loss in round eight, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos ST KILDA made unwanted history on Saturday afternoon, recording its lowest ever score and only troubling the goal umpire in the final 46 seconds of its loss to the Western Bulldogs.
Its 0.1 (1) is the equal-lowest score in AFLW history, and the lowest score kicked by any side since round 10, 2022, S7.
BULLDOGS v SAINTS Full match coverage and stats
Head coach Nick Dal Santo pointed to the conditions, youth, inexperience, a short break heading into the match, and recent travel as reasons behind the poor performance.
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