St Kilda coach Scott Watters refutes talk Nick Dal Santo is in form slump or may be traded Saints coach Scott Watters has thrown his support behind Nick Dal Santo. ST KILDA have supported veteran midfielder Nick Dal Santo, denying he is fighting a form slump and could be a trade option at the end of this AFL season. Dal Santo's performance against Collingwood last Friday was criticised, but Saints coach Scott Watters said form was not the issue and the player knew how he must respond to being tagged. "Dal has to work through the opposition pressure, that's part of the game," Watters said. He's been through that many times over 12 years and he'll respond. I haven't said it's a form slump. I just think he gets quality players ... Lenny Hayes often gets tagged, Dal gets tagged and it won't be long before (fellow midfielders) David Armitage and Jack Steven will be attracting that sort of attention as well. Responding to reports Dal Santo may be a trade possibility with the club in a rebuilding phase, Watters said: "He's a contracted player and a respected and required player." Meanwhile, Watters was cagey about whether or not banned forward Justin Koschitzke would be stranded on 197 games and not reach the 200 mark before he retires. Koschitzke will be unavailable for next Monday's game against Carlton and will be on the sidelines again the following week while he serves a two-week suspension for his hit on Magpie Jamie Elliott. "He's apologised, he's remorseful," Watters said. I think the most important thing now for Kosi is to get through his two weeks, train well and continue to do what he's doing with our younger players which is being an outstanding leader around the club. Watters said Koschitzke had to do his "penance," go back, play well and put his hand up for selection. He said after the two-week suspension St Kilda would consider his form and where the side was placed but refused to guarantee he would see the 200 mark. "I haven't even thought about milestones and I understand that will become more of a discussion as the year progresses," Watters said. "But the focuses are pretty simple for Kosi - get yourself fit, get yourself in good form and fight your way back into the team," he said. They're the issues he needs to address. Every player on form gets selected and selection is a pretty simple process every week.