The Saints went into the game with an extremely young list that was missing some key players, including Andrew Banjanin and Rob Condy, who were on Geelong VFL duties, and Luke Bath, who represented Vic Country yesterday.

"We were beaten by a better side and we have a lot of work to do," Orr said in summing up the loss.

"When you have 12 guys (aged) 20 and under it's going to be hard to compete."

Regardless of who took to the field and who didn't, the Saints' coach said he couldn't fault the effort shown by his players, but their skill level was a different story.

Orr wasn't only impressed by the effort of his own players.