lyon wants us to hit the ground running

[bigcarl]

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/ ... 22,00.html

Saints ready for Lyon share of NAB Cup
26 January 2008 Herald Sun
Jon Ralph

ST KILDA'S determination to hit the home-and-away season at full pace will see veterans Robert Harvey and Fraser Gehrig play its Round 1 NAB Cup clash against Richmond.

While St Kilda has taken a cautious approach to its stars and given them tailored regimens, the club is intent on being in peak form for Round 1.

That means Harvey, Gehrig, veteran full-back Max Hudghton and new ruckman Steven King are likely to be unleashed if fully fit.

Harvey is in excellent shape after an early hiccup when he tore his calf in the first session of pre-season, and Gehrig has completed most sessions since reversing his decision to retire.

Coach Ross Lyon wants to get plenty of football into his stars and says he will not hold them back if they are fit.

Football manager Matthew Drain said yesterday there was no point fit players missing the opening NAB Cup game.

"Our thinking is very much, if they are available, we are keen to play them, and early as well," Drain said.

"We don't have a program where we are saying, 'Let's play this guy in Round 3 or 4, or only in Round 1 and 4 of the practice game series'. It just boils down to availability."

In Lyon's first year as coach in 2007, St Kilda started sluggishly and was 4-7 at the halfway mark as the players struggled to acclimatise to his new game plan.

"Clearly we want to be right for Round 1. We are not looking to build into the season, we are looking to hit the season running," Drain said.

"There is a fine line between sustaining the whole season, but also hitting Round 1 at a peak which is sustainable. Harvey is in full training and there is no thought at the moment to pull him back. But if he has a slight injury we won't play him or others."

Justin Koschitzke is less likely to play against the Tigers and will return further into the practice-match series.

Luke Ball, who had post-season groin surgery, will not be rushed.

He was also slowed by foot soreness before Christmas, but is back doing running sets and light skill work.

Matt Maguire, who has had complications after a broken leg, is unlikely to appear in the pre-season games.

While Maguire is training, the Saints rushed him back last year and saw him break down with serious injury.

"He is back running and everything is all fine, but realistically we will have to see if he gets some practice games before Round 1," Drain said.

"He might say he wants to play earlier, but we will be taking a conservative approach."

[asiu]

good

here we go

[i_luv_nick_riewoldt]

Luke Ball, who had post-season groin surgery, will not be rushed.

He was also slowed by foot soreness before Christmas, but is back doing running sets and light skill work.

Matt Maguire, who has had complications after a broken leg, is unlikely to appear in the pre-season games.

While Maguire is training, the Saints rushed him back last year and saw him break down with serious injury.

"He is back running and everything is all fine, but realistically we will have to see if he gets some practice games before Round 1," Drain said.

"He might say he wants to play earlier, but we will be taking a conservative approach."

This is a concern that luke is having foot problems. Although it seems that they are monitoring both goose and bally which is good and aware of any injuries scares.

[TimeToShineFellas]

"Our thinking is very much, if they are available, we are keen to play them, and early as well," Drain said.

"We don't have a program where we are saying, 'Let's play this guy in Round 3 or 4, or only in Round 1 and 4 of the practice game series'. It just boils down to availability."

In Lyon's first year as coach in 2007, St Kilda started sluggishly and was 4-7 at the halfway mark as the players struggled to acclimatise to his new game plan.

"Clearly we want to be right for Round 1. We are not looking to build into the season, we are looking to hit the season running," Drain said.

"There is a fine line between sustaining the whole season, but also hitting Round 1 at a peak which is sustainable.

Well that quote will annoy the "experts" on here who don't want us to take the pre-season too seriously!

[magnifisaint]

Where does it say that the Saints will take the praccy game seriously.

Only said that they will play the players if they are fit.

[evertonfc]

Where does it say that the Saints will take the praccy game seriously.

Only said that they will play the players if they are fit.

Welcome to the world of the media.

[st_Trav_ofWA]

"Our thinking is very much, if they are available, we are keen to play them, and early as well," Drain said.

"We don't have a program where we are saying, 'Let's play this guy in Round 3 or 4, or only in Round 1 and 4 of the practice game series'. It just boils down to availability."

In Lyon's first year as coach in 2007, St Kilda started sluggishly and was 4-7 at the halfway mark as the players struggled to acclimatise to his new game plan.

"Clearly we want to be right for Round 1. We are not looking to build into the season, we are looking to hit the season running," Drain said.

"There is a fine line between sustaining the whole season, but also hitting Round 1 at a peak which is sustainable.

Well that quote will annoy the "experts" on here who don't want us to take the pre-season too seriously!

um the coach has said he wants to play all the players to get them ready for round one where does that say hes gunna take it serious ? its still just a hitout leading up to the real deal hes just saying that if they are fit they wont be rested

[mad saint guy]

These are the only things that should be taken seriously from the article. (And also note that every quote in the article was from Matthew Drain, not Lyon as the title would suggest).

"Our thinking is very much, if they are available, we are keen to play them, and early as well,"

"We don't have a program where we are saying, 'Let's play this guy in Round 3 or 4, or only in Round 1 and 4 of the practice game series'. It just boils down to availability."

"Clearly we want to be right for Round 1. We are not looking to build into the season, we are looking to hit the season running,"

"There is a fine line between sustaining the whole season, but also hitting Round 1 at a peak which is sustainable. Harvey is in full training and there is no thought at the moment to pull him back. But if he has a slight injury we won't play him or others."

(On Maguire) "He is back running and everything is all fine, but realistically we will have to see if he gets some practice games before Round 1,"

"He might say he wants to play earlier, but we will be taking a conservative approach."

All that article states is that we will try to get a couple of games into every fit player in the pre season and that Ball and Maguire are struggling (which we all knew anyway).

[asiu]

"Clearly we want to be right for Round 1. We are not looking to build into the season, we are looking to hit the season running,"

thats the bit i like

[Solar]

did I miss something but why have all the media proclaimed that kosi is struggling to be fit for the preseason games? From memory only ball had post season surgery and harvs/joey/goose hurt themselves during the preseason.

[st_Trav_ofWA]

did I miss something but why have all the media proclaimed that kosi is struggling to be fit for the preseason games? From memory only ball had post season surgery and harvs/joey/goose hurt themselves during the preseason.

lazy jornos assuming kosi is injured as he is most years at this time

[aussiejones]

Keep em guessing I say

[sainter#4]

if it happens great idea
get all the fit players at there peak for round one and take it from there

[bigcarl]

"Clearly we want to be right for Round 1. We are not looking to build into the season, we are looking to hit the season running,"

thats the bit i like

me too. drain is just repeating what the coach has told him

[markp]

"Clearly we want to be right for Round 1. We are not looking to build into the season, we are looking to hit the season running,"

thats the bit i like

me too. drain is just repeating what the coach has told him

Yep, sure beats regretting those early losses like we did last year....

[Teflon]

did I miss something but why have all the media proclaimed that kosi is struggling to be fit for the preseason games? From memory only ball had post season surgery and harvs/joey/goose hurt themselves during the preseason.

Im wondering the same - whats the mystry Kosi ilness all of a sudden?\

As for Ball.....ya just wonder if well ever get him right sometimes...

[Otiman]

Makes me wonder, would it stifle a young players career to refuse to give them NAB cup games to "see what it's like"?

[hAyES]

Good and bad I suppose. If we really want to make a push for the GF this year we need to finish top 4 at the very least, and if possible top 2 to avoid going interstate at all.

I like the thinking of Ross because since 2004 we haven't had a good first half to the season.

[Huzzad]

Love the attitude. Speaking of injuries, anyone know if Gardi will be ready by pre-season?

[saintsRrising]

"Our thinking is very much, if they are available, we are keen to play them, and early as well," Drain said.

"We don't have a program where we are saying, 'Let's play this guy in Round 3 or 4, or only in Round 1 and 4 of the practice game series'. It just boils down to availability."

In Lyon's first year as coach in 2007, St Kilda started sluggishly and was 4-7 at the halfway mark as the players struggled to acclimatise to his new game plan.

"Clearly we want to be right for Round 1. We are not looking to build into the season, we are looking to hit the season running," Drain said.

"There is a fine line between sustaining the whole season, but also hitting Round 1 at a peak which is sustainable.

Well that quote will annoy the "experts" on here who don't want us to take the pre-season too seriously!

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/ ... 22,00.html

Saints to rest players before season
05 February 2008 Herald Sun
Jackie Epstein

ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon will sacrifice a full tilt at the NAB Cup to have his side peaking for Round 1.


Lyon said nine of his best 25 players would not be included in Friday week's pre-season opener against Richmond at Telstra Dome.

etc etc