If the Saints are going to finish off the season well and build momentum into the pre-season, they must produce four quarters off effort across the final two games against Richmond and Brisbane, says star midfielder David Armitage.

Armitage, 28, was St Kilda’s most influential player in Saturday night’s 70-point loss to Sydney, finishing with team-highs for possessions (29), contested possessions (13) and clearances (seven), as well as six tackles and 59.3 pressure points.

“We want to finish off well, we can’t dish up what we did in the second half against any team, otherwise you get found out. We’ll be looking to play our way for four quarters and not just a half,” Armitage told saints.com.au on Saturday night.

Despite the second half fadeout, St Kilda laid more tackles (+26) and won pressure factor (1.839 to 1.792), but that was partly due to the fact Sydney won far more of the ball. Armitage said the Saints brought their pressure game, but Sydney coped with the pressure well.

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“Even tonight, finals was in the back of the mind, but we just wanted to play our way and come with our pressure game which we probably did for most of the game, but they just dealt with our pressure too well,” Armitage said.

The Queenslander praised the form of young midfielders Jade Gresham and Blake Acres, imploring the Saints to keep providing opportunities around the ball for young, emerging players.

“[Gresham’s] very good around the ball. He’s got this little shimmy that no one can pick up. He’s going to be an absolute star for us going forward. We’ve just got to keep blooding players through the midfield,” Armitage said.

“I thought Blake was really good tonight as well. He’s been working really hard throughout the week and its showing in games. He was probably another shining light tonight as well.”

Opposed to one of the premier midfields in the game, St Kilda was found wanting according to Armitage, with the Swans size, experience and superior ball use the difference.

“They’re beasts in there, they hold on to the ball, they’re very experienced and they are good enough to get their hands free to either dish out a handball or get a quick kick forward. So we probably got found out a little bit tonight,” he said.

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