Williams watched, almost helplessly, from the coach’s box on Friday night as the Saints completely outplayed his disappointing Power side.
The visitors, who hadn’t beaten Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in nearly 12 years, led from start to finish on their way to a 66-point win.
The ferocious Saints also restricted the Power to their second-lowest score (5.6) in their AFL history.
Port Adelaide entered the game full of confidence, having disposed of the reigning premier last week, and Williams conceded the stirring win might have left his players feeling a little complacent.
“I thought St Kilda handed us a fair lesson in tough footy. They beat us in every aspect of that game,” Williams said after the game.
“We came into the game feeling like we were prepared for it, but by far they were the side that’s put the most pressure on us and there was a realisation of where we are at (as a club).
“We’re not as good as we hoped that we might be. We’re in the pack with another 10 teams fighting out the positions from four down to 12 or 13- that’s about where we’re at.
“This game is pretty cruel. You have to deliver all the time or you’ll get eaten up.”
The hefty loss was compounded by injuries to young full-back Alipate Carlile and Tom Logan.
Carlile suffered a bruised hip and ribs in a clash with Leigh Montagna and Logan was mildly concussed. Gritty midfielder Josh Carr was also left nursing some sore spots.
The Power face another nervous wait ahead of the match review panel’s findings on Monday.
Ruckman Dean Brogan, was reported for making forceful contact with St Kilda midfielder Farren Ray and defender Troy Chaplin will also come under scrutiny for allegedly striking three-time All-Australian Nick Riewoldt.
The duo became the sixth and seventh Port Adelaide players to be reported in the opening five rounds.
The club spent time addressing the issue of undisciplined on field acts, following the suspension of skipper Dom Cassisi and Peter Burgoyne.
Williams admitted he was disappointed the message appeared not to have got through to some players.
“We’ll continue to push the point (of not getting reported). The players get out there and have to make the decisions in the game,” he said.
“We can talk about it. They can stand up and agree and say, ‘Yep, we’re behind you’ but when it gets to the game they’re the ones that have to react.”
Onballer Shaun Burgoyne, who was bone bruising on his knee, is also no certainty to play against Adelaide in next weekend’s Showdown.
