ST KILDA, like Melbourne a few weeks ago, is determined to ride out the “maelstrom” and remain on course.

 

On Friday, the Saints and Melbourne shared a charter flight to Alice Springs for Sunday’s game.

Following a 0-5 start, the Demons are flying and sit just outside the top eight. A win over St Kilda will give them a 6-6 record heading into the King’s Birthday showdown against Collingwood.

The Saints have lost their last three games and, after a couple of impressive wins early in the season, are 4-7.

“It just highlights the maelstrom of AFL footy, the storm and the week-to-week cycle,” St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said of Melbourne’s comeback.

“You just have to stay your course and know where you’re headed, otherwise you get derailed.”

When asked how St Kilda’s season was going, Lyon expressed confidence before Friday morning training that his team’s overall strategy was on track.

He was also encouraged by the support of people like club legend Barry Breen.

“We’ve beaten some good teams this season. Lyon said, “We’re inconsistent, and we’re still trying to build our list.”

“Each week, we go to win and improve our football. But we know we have a strategic vision that we’re executing on: getting our salary cap in order, attempting to target free agents, entering the draft, and signing our really good players.

“We want to be the best Saints ever, and that means winning the Premiership.

“It’s an unusual question at a press conference for a weekly game… I get texts all the time from Barry Breen saying, ‘Stay the course, a little rough, keep playing the kids,’ which we are doing.”

Lyon dismissed the controversy surrounding his pre-game “nepo baby” comment about Gold Coast last weekend.

“We’ve moved onto review, we really need to improve our footy,” said the captain.

In terms of young players, St Kilda has dropped Darcy Wilson, and Lyon has turned to second-year blues for the quick utility.

“Sometimes you have to break the glass a little bit, or just break that cycle and free him up,” he told me.

“He puts huge expectations on himself.”

Another Saints speedster, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, is a major re-signing target for the club, though Lyon said he and the half-back were solely focused on Sunday’s match.

“He’s playing some good football. Last week, I asked, “How about 1000 metres gained?” “He said, ‘No worries, coach’,” Lyon said.

“He delivered 920 and said, ‘They missed me on a couple of handballs’. So we’ll try for 1000 metres this week.”

Lyon admitted the Demons would be a difficult opponent.

“Melbourne clearly has their mojo back, don’t they? They’ve really improved their ball use. “That seemed to be their overarching issue for a while,” he said.

Lyon will be coaching the Saints for the first time in Alice Springs, and they will also be playing for the first time in five years.

“It all depends on my mindset – but it shouldn’t matter,” Lyon said about the venue.

“It should be perfect.” Brad Hill claims it’s a large area. We enjoy running, want to put on a good show, and are looking forward to the experience.

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