westofmoorabbin.com
Archives - 2007 PRE SEASON

AGM 4th Feb 2007 Questions from members by '8bloggs' saintsational.com 1. Moorabbin redevelopment: $16m project, half to come from Government / AFL / Council. Fund raising committee established and forming an alliance with a developer (?) who is an ally. Will provide an outstanding asset which means will not be subservient to others in the future. Transfer of gaming machines OK. Expect double of existing income stream. Expect club to run Social Club (not outsider) 2. Players not at the AGM: Sunday morning is only morning they get to have a rest so they were given opportunity to relax, they are pretty busy in pre-season 3. Casey Scorpions Relationship: annual agreement between Saints and Casey, now have placed more stringent football conditions on relationship and a 3 year agreement for the future 4. How to combat flooding: Increase in individual accountability (players expect to cover apposition opponents who go into our forward line), also increased number of options in players presenting leads 5. Coaching process - why was not this year's process followed when Thommo was appointed? - this was the Board's call 6. Why leave Tassie: financially disadvantageous to remain 7. What are the best practices adopted following the Board review: Rod Butters explained how they had reviewed Saints versus top 4 clubs in a wide range of areas e.g. injury management, recovery and had established where there were shortcomings (but did not say what changes had been made) 8. Why is only half the Victory room available after matches at Telstra Dome: Ground management has the rights over the other half, Rod Butters will follow up possibility for club to have all the room 9. Internal communications to members poor for those who don't have internet access: Butter's acknowledged concern and said club would look into it 10. How are membership numbers looking: 20,000 currently, believe on track to achieve 32,000 target (same as last year) given this year's campaign started 3 weeks later than last year 11. Where will end of year function be: Board to look at whether will be at Telstra Dome 12. Is there any strategy to improve our competitiveness interstate: No specific strategy, but decision to bring two Tassie games back to Melbourne should help - especially as these games were unprofitable and the playing group did not like going there. Finals performances interstate have been OK and need to accept that playing finals interstate is a likely reality 13. Will best and fairest function be at Vodafone Arena again this year: probably not as it was unprofitable; better to have a smaller venue that is profitable, although may mean some members may miss out on getting a ticket 14. Why a lack of tickets for the game in Perth last season: Will look into whether can increase by having more package deals. A member also highlighted that membership of the Cheer Squad would get people into ground given they get an allocation for these games 15. Why no reserved seating areas at the MCG for the two home games played away in lieu of the Tassie matches: No rights to dedicated seating at MCG unlike Collingwood who are a tenant at MCG which entitles them to some dedicated away game areas 16. Why the decrease in Merchandise and Sponsor revenue: Closed some unprofitable outlets at Telstra Dome on Levels 2 & 3, also with lower sales means some stock left over which you get some other money on when sold (?); two "protected" (??) sponsors did not renew by '8bloggs' 2007 AGM 'Enrico_Misso' et al saintsational.com/04Feb07

Lyon enthused about Hamill's progress
. . . "I've got no doubt he'll play a significant role this year . . . he's right on track, to be honest," Lyon said. "Clearly, when he's going, he's (Hamill) the best defensive forward in the competition" . . . Riewoldt should return to the team during the pre-season. Gardiner will have surgery on Wednesday or Thursday to fix the problem, but Lyon expects him to be fit for round one. While the former West Coast ruckman . . . would prove a boon recruit if he could regain fitness and form. So far, Lyon likes what he sees. "It's very minor, the surgeon isn't overly concerned and thinks he'll be back in full training within three weeks," Lyon said of Gardiner's hernia. "He won't play in the NAB Cup, but what is it to round one, eight weeks? It's a fair while."
The Article AAP/TheAge/06Feb07
Image of Aaron Hamill Source: TheAgeRealFooty

Saints' new coach says Hamill will still be able to do the job
New St Kilda coach Ross Lyon does not subscribe to the view that Aaron Hamill's style of play accounts for his high rate of injuries. Hamill has played less than half of the past two seasons, had knee surgery last season and a follow-up operation at the end of the year. His bullocking style and willingness to use his body to make space for teammates gives him a value to the side well beyond his own statistics. But Lyon, who was similarly hard at the ball in his playing days, says collision football is not necessarily the critical factor as Hamill works hard to get back onto the field. "Collision (football) has got nothing to do with it," Lyon said yesterday. "It's just his ability to withstand the loads."
The Article Len Johnson/TheAgeRealFooty/07Feb07

All on trial: Lyon
New St Kilda coach Ross Lyon admits it won't just be his players who will be on trial in the upcoming NAB Cup as the AFL's only coaching newcomer in 2007 prepares to go under the spotlight for the first time. After more than a decade as an assistant coach at Carlton, Richmond and Sydney, following a distinguished playing career with Fitzroy, Lyon is as prepared as any new coach for life in the big time. But he is also realistic enough to realise that it's a whole new ball game for a coach when you are the one calling the shots as opposed to being an assistant coach offering advice to the senior coach. While Lyon is confident in his ability to quickly adjust to life as a senior coach, he plans to use the pre-season competition to iron out any problems he may have in taking charge at senior level for the first time.
The Article Paul Gough/AFL/saints.com.au/06Feb07

Lyon braced for season ahead
This season's only new AFL senior coach is smart enough to acknowledge the enormity of what is coming, but his vast experience also tells him not to be overawed. Former Carlton, Richmond and Sydney assistant Ross Lyon will use the pre-season as much to work on the coach's box as he will to assess his St Kilda players. After 11 years as an assistant - including three as Carlton's head reserves coach - Lyon will now be in the hot seat. Every member of Lyon's coaching panel is also new to St Kilda, with Tony Elshaugh, Anthony Rock, Stephen Silvagni and John Barker his assistants.
The Article Roger Vaughan/TownsvilleBulletin/06Feb07

Saints visit heartland
St Kilda kicked off its AFL community camp on Tuesday on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, hoping its visit will help shore up the area's reputation as a Saints' stronghold. While most of the 16 clubs have journeyed far from home this week, the Saints have chosen to make the short journey to their heartland. With much of the Mornington Peninsula within one hour of the Saints' home base of Moorabbin in Melbourne's southern suburbs, new coach Ross Lyon is delighted the club will get the chance to come into contact with many of its fans over the next week.
The Article Paul Gough/AFL/saints.com.au/06Feb07
Saints Arrive In Mornington Peninsula Vanessa Gigliotti/saints.com.au/06Feb07
St Kilda Community Camp Details saints.com.au/05Feb07

No free kicks for footy fans
. . . the league is treating football fans — the lifeblood of most clubs — with disdain. In Victoria, the birthplace of the competition, fans face a significant reduction in free-to-air television coverage. Among the treasure in its coffers, Foxtel will have its choice of Saturday afternoon games every second week, alternating with Channel Ten; exclusive rights to 1pm Sunday games, formerly telecast free-to-air on Nine; and live and exclusive twilight games every Sunday. It also acquires an unprecedented four live fixtures into each of Adelaide and Perth, games that previously had to be shown free-to-air. What a coup for Foxtel as AFL supporters find few alternatives to paying $600 or more each year to subscribe. Once whole families would go to the footy every Saturday, wrapped in club colours and vociferous in their support. As Bruce Dawe famously observed, babies born in Victoria had little choice — football was akin to religion: "They will forswear the Demons, cling to the Saints and behold their team going up the ladder into Heaven." A national game brings different exigencies. It is harder for even diehard supporters to be there in person but, until now, they could see the game free in their lounge rooms. That this latest deal deprives fans of such a certainty is regrettable.
The Article AAP/TheAge/07Feb07

Foxtel wins in AFL carve-up
Victorian football fans will see a reduction in free-to-air television coverage from this season, with pay TV network Foxtel emerging as the unofficial winner of the battle to carve up the AFL television fixture. After 12 months of often bitter negotiations with Channels Seven and Ten, Foxtel is expected to announce this week that it has secured half the competition's home-and-away games over the next five years. In a deal brokered in the final stages by AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou last Friday, and to be signed in the next 48 hours, Foxtel will pay Seven and Ten $50 million this season and an indexed amount each year until 2011 for a significantly increased number of exclusive games and new regular timeslots. Channels Seven and Ten finally relented to the pay TV provider following an undertaking by Foxtel to provide an annual $10 million of advertising and marketing, easing the load on the free-to-air networks. Seven's first choice commentary team of Bruce McAvaney and Dennis Cometti will now call both the Friday night and 2pm Sunday fixtures, with Tim Watson and David Schwartz doing special comments.
The Article Caroline Wilson/TheAgeRealFooty/06Feb07
Sydney scores live Friday night football Caroline Wilson/SMH/06Feb07
FOXTEL get half the games 'til 2011 'Grimfang' et al saintsational.com

. . . Armitage is dedicated
If dedication counts for anything, David Armitage will realise his dream of becoming an AFL footballer. On Sunday, Armitage attended the Australia-New Zealand one-day cricket match at the MCG. But unlike most of the others at the ground, he left what was a mouth-watering contest halfway through after the Kiwis hit 290 in their innings because he wanted to go home and rest up in preparation for a tough week's training with the St Kilda Saints. It's that sort of dedication which will go a long way to ensuring that Armitage, 18, gets a run in the St Kilda team earlier rather than later when this season's AFL kicks off in March. Armitage has had two months to settle in at St Kilda after being selected at No.9 in the draft in December last year. The former Mackay Eastern Swans and Brisbane Morningside midfielder says his focus is on working as hard as he can towards gaining a spot in the St Kilda side for their opening match against Brisbane Lions in the pre-season NAB Cup at Cairns on February 28. "Our coach (Ross Lyon) says he'll try to give everyone a go, I may be a chance," he said. "It depends on how we go up there whether I would get another go in the pre-season games."
The Article MackayDailyMercury/06Feb07

Casey City after the Sainters
St Kilda Football Club is on the City of Casey's most wanted list. Casey chief executive officer Mike Tyler has instigated a planning permit that would allow St Kilda a smooth relocation to Casey Fields in Cranbourne. The application is for an administration and training building north of the ground occupied by the Saints' VFL partner, the Casey Scorpions. "We'd love to have St Kilda out here but we know there's only an outside chance," Mr Tyler told the Leader. "But that's better than no chance" . . . "At this stage St Kilda Football Club is proceeding in good faith to reach an agreement with Kingston Council," Mr Tyler said in the memo. "There is still an opening for Casey Fields, although it is not currently being pursued by St Kilda Football Club. Accordingly I submit the planning application for an AFL football club training and administration facility."
The Article LeaderNewspapers/07Feb07

John Beveridge to remain in advisory capacity
Matt Rendell, an assistant coach under Grant Thomas at St Kilda for the past five years, was appointed yesterday by Adelaide as its national recruiting manager. New appointments for similar positions will be made soon at Hawthorn and St Kilda. Gary Buckenara, who held the senior position at Hawthorn until late last year, will recruit for the Hawks from Western Australia. The Saints' veteran recruiting manager, John Beveridge, has stood down, but will act in an advisory capacity.
The Article Greg Denham/TheAustralian/06Feb07
John Beveridge steps down 'Rice Paper' et al saintsational.com

Rendell joins Crows as recruiting manager
Former St Kilda assistant coach Matthew Rendell has been appointed as the national recruiting manager of Adelaide. Rendell, who also served at St Kilda's football operations manager for the past three years, will start his new role with the Crows next week. The veteran of 177 AFL games for Fitzroy and Brisbane replaces Jame Fantasia who has moved to the SANFL as game development manager.
The Article AAP/TheAgeRealFooty/05Feb07
Rendell joins Crows Sportal/05Feb07

ASADA did not leak AFL names
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency has been cleared of leaking names of AFL players involved in drug-testing to the media. An Australian Federal Police investigation found no evidence that any ASADA employee or agent was responsible for an alleged leak of confidential information last year.
The Article AAP/FoxSports/07Feb07

St Kilda Annual General Meeting

Supporter Reports
The highlight was Ross Lyon who spoke for 10-15 minutes and Spoke very well. His consistent theme was "Attention to detail". We can't compete with the facilities of some of the interstate clubs but we can match them with attention to detail. He wants us to be more accountable - more like in 05. Expect more of a one-on-one focus. He singled out Joey Montagna for special praise, along with BJ who has gone to a new level. Roo's hamstring is the first soft tissue injury of the summer - so the fitness program is going well. Mentioned that it is probably the first pre-season that Ball and Xman have done.

Ross Lyon's focus is on Round 1 and will use the pre-season cup to test the youngsters. He Praised many of the new recruits and feels they are progressing well. Hayes and Maguire are way ahead of schedule but are too valuable to rush back, but Hayes should be back fairly early in the season if not Round 1. Contrary to some media reports Raph is up and running well and will play in 07. Gardiner has a minor hernia problem in the other side of his groin and will have an op this week but should be OK for Round 1. They have been practising drills that should help them with ball movement. Ross came across as very thoughtful and very much in control.
More in Thread 'Enrico_Misso' et al saintsational.com

Club's third consecutive $1M profit
. . . The club's annual report showed $270,000 had been paid out in redundancies over the previous 12 months, including payments to sacked coach Grant Thomas. Chief executive Archie Fraser told The Age any redundancies, including those to coaches, executives or other former staff, were included in the $270,000. The club announced its third consecutive profit of more than $1 million. President Rod Butterss said that on the strength of the latest balance sheet the club could now look ahead to finalising the planned redevelopment at Moorabbin and elevate itself "into the top echelon" of clubs with new training facilities . . . "The redevelopment is a key initiative and we're in good shape to move ahead with that," he said. Directors Ray King and Mark Kellett were re-elected unopposed. And former player Austinn Jones, along with current players Andrew Thompson and Max Hudghton, have been made life members of the club.
Injured Gardiner to miss NAB Cup Martin Boulton/TheAgeRealFooty/04Feb0

Gardiner suffers hiccup
Scans on Michael Gardiner's groin have revealed a small hernia that may require surgery. The former number one draft pick is expected to be evaluated by a surgeon later in the week to ascertain whether or not the ruckman needs to go under the knife. The St. Kilda football club is treating the news as a mere hiccup in Gardiner's pre-season training program and maintains that the 2005 Grand Final player will be fit and firing for round one of the season proper whether he undergoes surgery or not. A spokesperson from the club confirmed that Gardiner developed soreness in the groin late last week prompting the club to send him for scans. The news comes as a slight setback for the controversial ex-Eagle as he attempts to resurrect his faltering career at Moorabbin following an tumultuous few years in Perth where he was involved in numerous off-field indiscretions.
The Article Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/04Jan0
Saints suffers setback Sportal/04Jan0
(See Gardiner hernia info in AGM Post above)

Come and Meet the Saints
As part of the AFL's annual Community Camp program, the St Kilda Football Club is coming to the Mornington Peninsula from Tuesday, 6th February to Thursday, 8th February. Don't miss the opportunity to attend St Kilda's official function, 'Meet the Saints' night to be held at the Mornington Racecourse, Racecourse Rd, Mornington 3931 on Tuesday, 6th February at 7.00pm. All St Kilda players and coaching staff will be in attendance, so be sure to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime chance to mix with the stars. 1966 premiership player Kevin 'Cowboy' Neale will be MC. Cost is $15.00 per person and children aged 10 and under are admitted for free. Ticket price includes finger food, guest speakers, players' panel and memorabilia auction. Drinks are at bar prices.
The Article saints.com.au/18Jan0

Fitness becomes a matter of computing
. . . St Kilda was developing software of its own in partnership with Athletic Logic, a Sydney based IT company. That software is now complete. The result has been a blessedly injury-free pre-season program for a team previously beset by torn muscles and broken bones. Such has been the Saints' golden run that, when Nick Riewoldt lurched at a low ball at training this week and tore his hamstring, he became the first St Kilda player to sustain a significant soft tissue injury all summer. The only hiccup was yesterday's decision by conditioning coach Craig Starcevich to quit the club to spend more time with his Brisbane-based family but even that news did not come as a shock. Starcevich had not been at Moorabbin since Christmas and the players had already completed the pre-season running program he devised. Since October, physiotherapist Andy Weller has managed the club's elite performance department. The Saints' software is purpose designed to keep more players on the field for more of the season. Last year the Saints' premiership campaign was cruelled by serious injuries to Lenny Hayes, Matt Maguire, Raphael Clarke and Aaron Hamill. Since the start of pre-season training, the club has used the software to tailor and modify the training loads of every player.
The Article Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/03Jan07
Athletic Logic's Software athleticlogic.com

Hip and shoulder to stay
The AFL has declared the hip and shoulder will remain part of football, despite new rules cracking down on heavy tackles and head-high contact. AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson yesterday defended the controversial push-in-the-back rule -- pilloried by AFL coaches Mick Malthouse and Paul Roos -- as nothing more than returning marking contests to a fair go for all players. Despite concerns recent rule changes had overly sanitised the game, Anderson said the AFL laws committee was determined to retain the best aspects of football. "There is nothing wrong with a legitimate bump or a legitimate hip and shoulder. That is here to stay," he said. "I expect players will adapt. They are extremely professional and . . . they understand the rationale." New rules prevent players tackling from front-on while an opponent is over the ball, while players can no longer push with their hands in marking contests or drive players into the ground while pinning their arms.
The Article Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/04Feb07

Seven sees AFL role for Hawk-Eye
AFL footy has moved a step closer to video technology for goal-line decisions, with Channel 7 looking at using Hawk-Eye in broadcasts. Hawk-Eye's success at the Australian Open as a tool for entertainment as well as increased accuracy had Seven seeking to transfer it into this AFL season. But cost constraints - because of the number of cameras required for accuracy in Australian football - means Hawk-Eye will not appear on TV screens this year, but the push for added technology is growing. The AFL said yesterday it had no philosophical objection to the use of technology, but would consider the issue when suitable systems became available. Hawk-Eye technology could assist umpires to decide whether to award a goal or behind, as well as rule on balls marked on or over the goal line.
The Article Jon Ralph/FoxSports/04Feb07

THE ROSS LYON INTERVIEW

Ross Lyon working class man
The dictum about taking the boy out of the 'hood, but not the 'hood out of the boy, sits acceptably with Ross Lyon. That's the way it is. He grew up in nondescript View St, which ran off Gilbert Rd, the secondary thoroughfare behind High St heading north from multicultural and bone-bricked Preston . . . A star junior, he played footy at Reservoir Colts in the now-defunct Preston Junior Football Association, then for Reservoir in the rough 'n tumble Diamond Valley League, before joining Fitzroy in the under-19s . . . Without trying to overstate the uneasy honesty of the northern suburbs, anyone who watched Lyon play 129 games, before injuries caught up with him at just 28, would agree he took a hard edge into the big time . . . LYON started at Moorabbin in what seemingly was a blur. The weeks after Grant Thomas's sacking were a whirlwind of headlines and names such as Mick Malthouse, Mark Williams, John Longmire, Guy McKenna and Chris Bond. Lyon was a late runner and got the bob of the head. Robert Walls, his former coach at Fitzroy, loved him and having an influential figure such as Walls on the selection committee would always be a bonus.
The Article Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/02Feb07
Ross Lyon interview Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/02Feb07
(Same article as above - different page)

Vids at training sessions banned
. . . Lyon has decided to put an end to fans filming training sessions. While fans were still welcome to take photos of their favourite players, the club's Moorabbin training facilities are now a no-go zone for video cameras. Ken Sheldon said the ban was introduced to protect the players.
Nick Riewoldt's hamstring blow Gareth Trickey/HeraldSun/01Feb07

St Kilda's fitness no issue
The resignation of Craig Starcevich will not affect St Kilda's fitness program, according to football manager Ken Sheldon. The Saints yesterday issued a statement saying they had accepted Starcevich's resignation for personal reasons, following persistent rumours he had not been seen at Moorabbin since Christmas. Sheldon said St Kilda had tried since November to sort out Starcevich's personal problems with his family based in Brisbane. "The fitness program that Craig was managing as elite performance manager was set in stone and we've adhered to that to the letter," Sheldon said. "Guys like Ball, Goddard, Gehrig, Dal Santo, Montagna, Riewoldt, Milne, Harvey . . . all these guys have been training the house down and looking exceptionally fit. So we're very pleased with the fitness levels of our players."
The Article Michael Stevens/HeraldSun/03Feb07

Starcevich quits Saints
After being rocked by the sacking of coach Grant Thomas last season, St Kilda is now searching for a replacement for fitness coach Craig Starcevich. The club confirmed Starcevich failed to return from Brisbane after the Christmas break and had resigned for "personal family" reasons. Football manager Ken Sheldon said Starcevich, part of Collingwood's 1990 premiership team and former fitness coach at the Brisbane Lions, was "very good at his craft" and the program he had structured meant the players' season preparation would not be interrupted. "The players are extremely fit . . . so it's on with business," Sheldon said
The Article Mark Boulton/TheAgeRealFooty/03Feb07

Ross Lyon admits Saints aren't perfect

. . . his football philosophy? "When we've got it attack; when they've got it defend . . ."

New St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has for the first time outlined the deficiencies his club must overcome to be a 2007 premiership contender. In an exclusive interview, his first since being appointed in October, Lyon said his list was "not perfect" but was "self-directed and dedicated". Although excited by ideal pre-seasons from injury-prone players such as Justin Koschitzke, Xavier Clarke and Luke Ball, Lyon identified several areas that needed improvement. They centred on finding more goalkicking forwards, defensive talls and greater run and pace in the midfield. But he admitted he was thrilled with the application of new big men Michael Gardiner and Matthew Clarke, and the recoveries of Lenny Hayes and Matt Maguire, who both suffered serious leg injuries in 2006. "It's not the perfect list," Lyon said. "We had three guys who kicked 20-plus goals last year and you need five."
The Article Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/02Feb07

We'll play just like you! - Lyon to Roos
Sending a "spy" to watch opposition training is hardly revolutionary, and new St Kilda coach Ross Lyon would have expected to see a visitor or two in the stands watching him put his team through the drills. "It's funny - we sent George Stone down to watch them train and Georgie saw some of the drills," Swans coach Paul Roos said yesterday. "Rossy rang and left a message on my phone saying: 'Come on, you don't have to send anyone down. You know exactly how we're going to play . . . we're going to play just like you'." If there are similarities between the Saints and Swans in 2007, it should not be a surprise. For three seasons Lyon was a deputy to Roos. He saw closely how the system was run, and how - with successive grand final appearances - it worked. What is important in Sydney is not how the Saints look and play but how the Swans can adjust to the most significant changes they made since Roos took over in 2003.
Swans' big challenge is to replace key coaches Michael Cowley/TheAgeRealFooty/02Feb07

Saints get good news on Riewoldt hammy
St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt could still miss the start of the AFL pre-season competition, although his hamstring injury has been diagnosed as a minor one. Scans showed Riewoldt suffered a low-level strain of his left hamstring at training on Wednesday when he was running for the ball. Riewoldt looked as though he had been shot as he grasped his left leg after the mishap and he left the field immediately for treatment. Riewoldt will now undergo a rehabilitation program. "It's a good result for us, Nick is pleased, as is everyone else," Saints football manager Ken Sheldon said of the test result. The club described the injury as "a lower end of a grade-one strain", which is a minor hamstring problem. But Sheldon was unsure how long Riewoldt would be out of action, saying "that varies, depending on the individual".
The Article AAP/TheAge/01Feb07

Robert Harvey Minor Injury
. . . Sheldon refuted reports Robert Harvey injured a calf muscle at training on Monday. He said Harvey, 35, was 100 per cent and was undergoing a lower workload as part of his regular training schedule. "What we do is load and unload these players on a consistent basis," Sheldon said. "It's just a normal procedure that we're going through. Robert didn't do too much on Monday. He did a lot of skills work on Wednesday and is doing similar tomorrow."
Sore Nick Reiwoldt's routine to change Gareth Trickey/HeraldSun/02Feb07

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