St Kilda coach Ross Lyon refused to use the club's extensive injury list as an excuse for the poor performance against Adelaide on Sunday.
The expectations on the Saints in 2025 are at a low given the age demographic of the side, but injuries to key players like Max King, Mitch Owens, Cooper Sharman and Dan Butler make the scenario more difficult.
Adelaide hosted the Moorabbin club in South Australia and were damning in front of the home crowd, recording a 63-point drubbing of the visitors.
Although there was a host of regulars absent from Lyon's line-up, he was more "disappointed" with those on the park, suggesting they didn't uphold the club's plan against the Crows.
"I don't like to use excuses โ it's next man up," Lyon said.
"Clearly we're a young list that gets a bit more vulnerable (with injuries) but that's the path which we've chosen.
"But we also want to be better than that.
"(We're) probably more disappointed in our lack of composure to the plan, but pressure does funny things to people and coaches."
Despite the tough day in the office, Lyon found three positives to take from the heavy loss, which included the unveiling of Max Hall.
The Saints coach was also impressed by second-year player Darcy Wilaosn
"I thought Wilson as a second-year player (was great)," Lyon added.
"We've been thrilled with him over the summer and out of the wreck, he'll be a good player.
"We unearthed Max Hall. He's got a bit of work to do but he looked lively.
"I thought Mason Wood forward was really dangerous. And the other debutants got a taste for it."
Midfield recruit Jack Macrae didn't find difficulty in his new colours as he celebrated his first game for the Saints, but 250th overall.
Macrae crossed from the Western Bulldogs as an elite ball-winner and showed his true colours against the Crows, amassing a game-high 34 disposals, 12 clearances and five tackles.
The Saints will get their chance to avenge their poor Round 1 performance against Geelong next week.
