The second-year AFL senior coach labeled the first term as unacceptable – when St Kilda kicked 6.5 to 2.1 – but said it was a plus to outscore the Saints after quarter-time.
"I was very pleased for the players defensively. To keep St Kilda to 13 goals was a good effort, because they've been scoring fairly heavily – 18, 19 or 20 goals a week, so that was a real positive," he said.
"Offensively, with the ball in our hand, we really hurt ourselves … we just overcooked the ball.
"I am asking them to (play) at a fairly high tempo and pretty swift, but that's the modern game – like it or lump it. You've got to make good decisions at top speed."
The former Richmond captain was full of praise for the eight-from-eight Saints.
"It was a missed opportunity, so we're really disappointed. [I] understand they're a super side and they're in great form, but if you've got a chance to win the game, you've got to take those opportunities, and we weren't good enough or mature enough to do that today," Knights said.
"They keep rolling on, and that's a pretty damn good effort to have a string of wins they have in a pretty tough competition. They're a very good side."
Knights spoke highly about several of his charges after the match, including Ricky Dyson, who claimed 30 disposals.
"I use him as a fine example. He's probably in his fifth or sixth year, and we're just starting to see the fruits of those five or six years," he said.
"He's just starting to be a consistent player, and I thought he did a pretty good job on [Leigh] Montagna after quarter-time, who is a wonderful player.
"It does take time with some players and some teams, and I we're only just 12 months into a new program, so I should be patient; I'm endeavoring to be patient."
Knights also believes Andrew Lovett is starting to fulfill his AFL potential.
"I believe Andrew has made massive steps in his football career, and his maturity on and off the field is going really well and that's indicative of the way he's playing his football," Knights said.
"He's very polished when he gets the ball. He's as good as we've got with decision-making, and I'm just really pleased for Andrew and Jason Winderlich, who are having strong years. They're finally coming through and contributing.
"To Andrew's credit, he hasn't been up and down – he's had a pretty flatline type of year, which has mostly been positive … so that's great for him."
Knights added that midfielder Jobe Watson, who claimed a match-high 39 disposals (including 18 contested), was now defying his critics.
"It's a lot of leather in one day. He's improving all of the time, Jobe. He was someone early in his career who was challenged [about] whether he would come through and be a midfielder in the modern game," Knights said.
"But he's adjusting and getting better, and I'm really proud of the way he's in there mixing it with big midfields. He's only 23 years old himself, so he's got a lot of good football in front of him."
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