New St Kilda coach Scott Watters has unveiled a revolutionary 'Magic Circle' to foster caring and sharing and to help his players stay connected at training.
After a workout at St Kilda beach on Tuesday morning the entire Saints playing group stood for several minutes in the shallows in a big huddle with their arms interlocked.
Watters said it was a new ritual that would take place at the start and end of every training session from now on.
"A lot of team sports, it is about trust and there's a lot of symbolism to a circle," said Watters.
"So they get the opportunity to look each other in the eye, set their goals for training and then, immediately post-training, they get the chance to reflect what they've just done."
"It is about maximising every minute."
"We want a minute-by-minute culture at our footy club where we're taking every opportunity and that just gives them a chance to set goals and reset goals."
"They're connected and they've got to stay connected as a group."
Watters said the players have embraced the idea and are enjoying the opportunity to have their say.
He said he tried the circle with some success during his time in charge at WAFL club Subiaco from 2006-2009.
"It's another one of the little things they've attacked from day one," he said.
"It's a sharing time and they get a chance to communicate."
"They feel like they're getting something out of it and that's important."
Asked whether he was trying to differentiate himself from his predecessor, Ross Lyon, Watters said: "It's got nothing to do with what's been happening prior."
"From the moment I've set foot in the place, to me it's about looking forward."
"This is about resetting what we're doing looking towards the future, not looking back."
New recruit, former West Coast defender Beau Wilkes, revealed himself as a fan of the circle and the opportunity to set goals, exchange ideas and express some home truths.
"We look each other in the eye after a pretty tough session," said Wilkes.
"You get the chance to reflect on the session you've had and before training we do it as well and have a few focus areas that we need to concentrate on."
"It's good (especially) for the young guys coming in."