Retired St.Kilda great Nick Riewoldt has delivered honest criticisms toward his former club, explaining how he believes the playing group are not hard enough on themselves.

The club icon goes on to detail how a "lack of honest feedback" at the Saints caused him frustration toward the end of his storied AFL career.

Perhaps the biggest letdown of the 2018 AFL season to date, the Saints have found themselves limping toward the break with just the one win.

Riewoldt's remarks come in the wake of the Saints' brutal 71 point loss to the Swans. Furthermore, there has been significant suggestion that General Manager of Football Simon Lethlean should lead a total club review.

"I've got a different view on what brutal looks like compared to the current group," Riewoldt told Thursday Night Footy on Fox.

"That was something that really frustrated me over the last few years at the club."

These strong remarks swiftly captured the attentions of AFLW Demon Daisy Pearce who plainly told SEN Breakfast "Translation: Nick thinks that the current St.Kilda group is soft."

Many had placed the Saints inside the finals window prior to the beginning of the season.

With such a drastic fall down the ladder, finals seem the furthest of concerns for the club at the minute. The playing side has been placed under fire, as has coach Alan Richardson.

Riewoldt's words don't merely come as criticism, but a plea, that he hopes will help spark the side to lift  - not only for their themselves, but for their coach as well.

"This is a huge game for all the wrong reasons. The Saints have got to go up and win" Riewoldt added.

“There is a lot of talk about backing the coach and playing for the coach. Go out and do it. Put your nose over it. Go when it’s your turn to go.”