St Kilda are going nowhere with Ross Lyon

[Cheshire Cat]

At the end of 2004 I was certain that St Kilda would win a flag within the next few years. Although there were Geelong/St Kilda comparisons as the rising Vic hopes, I always thought that talent-wise St Kilda had it all over us. In 04/05 they were unlucky not to have played in a Grand Final (if not two). In 2006 they had a bad injury-run, which continued in the final where they were knocked out first round. At that stage they were threatening at best if not inconsistent

Since Ross Lyon has taken over the Saints have become a non-entity IMO. Like their coach, their style of play has about the charisma of a cardboard box. They continue to win easily against the bottom sides and consistently struggle whenever tested. Furthermore they have become the side with one of the most potent attacks in the league to the side which scores the least. This can't be put down to the demise of Gehrig. Its no secret that Lyon seems to have modelled his game on Sydney. The difference is, Sydney seem to be well-drilled at it, St Kilda players don't know what the hell they are supposed to be doing.

It just seems the current regime lacks any spark, with the same side which generated exciting football capable of winning a flag a few years ago, the current side does not. Players like Dal Santo and Maguire are being made to look like hacks. Surely, they have not all simultaneously lost form for no reason. I still think the current LIST is capable of a flag but they are seriously running out of time and as long as Lyon is at the helm it doesnt appear that potential will be realised

 

[cs61]

To go with an inexperienced coach, who brings in a totally new game plan, when a side is competiting and looking at premierships, must be the dumbest decision I've seen in a long time.

The time to go for an inexperienced coach is with a rebuilding side, so the players and coach can learn and adapt together, not with a seasoned list who was thought to be under-achieving.

Saints look very stale for a side who looked so exciting and punishing for a while.

Bad list management, trading, and poor coaching appointments at the wrong time, at this stage, seem to have cost St Kilda a real shot at the flag.

Its still very early days, but the way they are trying to play must be very frustrating for the fans, as they used to be one of the most exciting teams in the competition.

 

[huggy_b]

weren't the 34 other threads about this sufficient?

 

[burto]

They've lost all their players who actually played with heart. No hamill, no powell, no guerra.

No hardness in their list now apart from ball and hayes.

 

[Swanstar]

Geelong were going nowhere with Bomber Thompson either.... give Ross time

 

[bullish23]

He has brought that crap sydney game plan with him. Yes it was successful at sydney (1 flag), but personally I would hate my side to play that way on a consistent basis.

 

[RUNVS]

He has brought that crap sydney game plan with him. Yes it was successful at sydney (1 flag), but personally I would hate my side to play that way on a consistent basis.

You'll be seeing your side play like that next week

 

[Cohzee]

Geelong were going nowhere with Bomber Thompson either.... give Ross time

Bomber started with a team that was rebuilding. Did a bloody good job of it as well.

Lyon has started with a list that, on paper, is capable of a premiership.

I don't see the comparison.

 

[.M a t t.]

You'll be seeing your side play like that next week

You hope we play your style but I am hoping we get our own game going and not get stuck playing you shit style of boring footy.

 

[CHBench]

He's only in his second year don't forget, he's not going to set the world on fire.

But I think ONE of the differences between the saints and geelong is the cats stuck with their coach, we didn't.


BTW our list isn;t as good as it is made out in the media, defiantely not premiership quality. Our midfield dosen't have that spark, someone to revive us when we're down and out. Lenny Hayes is top class, but the rest are 2nd/3rd rate mids.

 

[robertg22]

Look with Grant Thomas they had a coach that was seemingly able to take them to 4-8th on the ladder but didn’t seem to be able to deliver them a premiership. Did he lack the tactical nous in big games, I’m not sure. One thing’s for sure he had the full support of the playing group.
At the time I thought it was a great move that they moved Thomas on but retrospectively it’s proven to be an interesting decision that the jury’s still out on. You’ve got to remember that they’ve only ever won one premiership and that was over 40 years ago, so the winning formula isn’t really there. Like Geelong last year, it took something special for them to change their ways and taste success. Also with Sydney of 05, took that steely resolve and determination that Roos (who is a great coach, if a little maligned in AFL circles) and players that would lay it all on the line for their teammates. Again with Collingwood in 1990, it took a pretty special effort and a bloody good coach that got us there.
Is Lyon the right man for the job? For me, probably not. His tactics of recruiting recycled fringe players is questionable and in my opinion not the recipe for ultimate success. I don’t think they’ve got that resolve you see from the Geelong guys, the Sydney 05 guys etc. Voss loves to sensationalise things but his article wasn’t too far off the mark the other week. I think what St Kilda need to do is get rid of the dead wood, have a lean year or two and have another tilt at it while players like Riewoldt, Dal Santo, Ball, Hayes, Maguire, Montagna etc are still this side of 30.
I’d be moving on these guys over the next season or two:

Shane Birss (just not good enough)
Raph Clarke (if you could get a 3rd rounder for him then that’s great otherwise delist)
Xavier Clarke (may have some trade value, early to mid 2nd rounder? Is a soft unaccountable footballer that should be moved on)
Matthew Ferguson (finished)
Aaron Fiora (some skill but 0 heart)
Leigh Fisher (the poor Fisher, may have some trade value? I know Saints fans like this guy but I don't think you've got room for him and Baker in the team)
Fraser Gehrig (should have stayed in retirement)
James Gwilt (looked ok early but where is he at now)
Robert Harvey (will retire this year obviously)
Clinton Jones (not good enough)
Stephen Milne (will have a bit of trade value maybe, big call but he is 28 this year and if you’re not looking at a premiership within the next couple of years then tough calls like this have to be made)
Michael Rix (good VFL ruckman)

 

[Kildonan]

Thank You Ross Lyon.

4th spot is fine by me, considering where we came from.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Lets see where it gets you.

 

[Rors]

They've lost all their players who actually played with heart. No hamill, no powell, no guerra.

No hardness in their list now apart from ball and hayes.

Guerra??? He was hopeless after 2005 for the Saints...

Obviously you never saw him play in 2006 where he would fall to the ground at every contest ala Josh Carr in the early part of this yr

 

[chapmanmagic35]

This is, simply, a classic bump.

It's as if finishing fourth has justified your existence.

Seriously, no-one remembered who finishes second, let alone fourth.

Ridiculous.

 

[Rors]

I dont think "going nowhere" is the right expression...

Ross Lyon has been at StKilda for 2 yrs, in that time its:

2007 - 9th
2008 - 4th
2009 - ?

I think there is a lot of upside as it will take more than 2 yrs for a team to gel under a new coach & game-plan

 

[Quixote]

The thread title was 'St Kilda are going nowhere with Ross Lyon'.

Now, in his second year as coach, he has taken us to the top four and double chance. Which is a damn sight better than our performance the season prior to his appointment.

So what's your problem?

Year's now over yet pal.

 

[garth p]

Thank You Ross Lyon.

4th spot is fine by me, considering where we came from.

Fine by me too. We now have the same chance as Geelong

 

[Hanis]

This is, simply, a classic bump.

It's as if finishing fourth has justified your existence.

Seriously, no-one remembered who finishes second, let alone fourth.

Ridiculous.

And you are, simply, a pathetic troll

What everyone will remember is how Geelong massively choked in the 2008 finals after winning 21 games in the H&A season

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

And you are, simply, a pathetic troll

What everyone will remember is how Geelong massively choked in the 2008 finals after winning 21 games in the H&A season

So in a thread where you should be soaking it up and serving the humble pie, you make a statement that will most likely make you look like a fool. Great job

 

[Hanis]

So in a thread where you should be soaking it up and serving the humble pie, you make a statement that will most likely make you look like a fool. Great job

Good to see that you have faith in your sides finals chances this year

Way to go nuffie

 

[chapmanmagic35]

And you are, simply, a pathetic troll

What everyone will remember is how Geelong massively choked in the 2008 finals after winning 21 games in the H&A season

How is what I've said a troll?

 

[chapmanmagic35]

I dont think "going nowhere" is the right expression...

Ross Lyon has been at StKilda for 2 yrs, in that time its:

2007 - 9th
2008 - 4th
2009 - ?

I think there is a lot of upside as it will take more than 2 yrs for a team to gel under a new coach & game-plan

2008 should be ???.

The season isn't over. We don't finish at Round 22.

It could read 6th. Also, could read 2nd

 

[Rors]

2008 should be ???.

The season isn't over. We don't finish at Round 22.

It could read 6th. Also, could read 2nd

Point taken, could also read:

Premiership winner StKilda or Hawthorn or Collingwood (yuck, isnt that a scary thought)

Minor Premiers 2008 - Geelong

Dont be so cocky

 

[davzor]

The thread title was 'St Kilda are going nowhere with Ross Lyon'.

Now, in his second year as coach, he has taken us to the top four and double chance. Which is a damn sight better than our performance the season prior to his appointment.

So what's your problem?

Year's now over yet pal.

he didn't really do much. thank essendon for top4