Life Long Saint wrote:
Lyon coached us to a 20-2 home and away season where both losses were by less than a kick ......
His legacy reflects an overriding theme of poor development and lack of opportunity provided to youngsters throughout his tenure. The board and the CEO were not responsible for team selection. That was ultimately Lyon's choices. I see this weakness in his coaching as a lack of creating depth in the team and a weakness which may underline some of the reasons we lost on the big stage.
These are some questions I'd love for someone to pose to Lyon and Misson and the coaching assistants;
1. Some niggles and some injuries starting creeping into the line-up in late 2009. The fact that Lyon and his crew rested players in round 19 means that they acknowledged that modern day AFL players do it tough - they need a freshen up leading in to September action. With a grueling running game required to set up the right zones, and the taxing nature and commitment to his defensive gameplan, in addition to a schedule of current day travel interstate, why did Lyon need to get 18 wins in a row before he realised that there'd be a price to pay at some point?
2. Why oh why would you not plan for finals after 15 or 16 wins? Wouldn't you think if top 2 is sown up by round 16, that it is time for the senior coach to CHANGE something and try some youngsters and see WHO is willing to put their hand up? Wouldn't you think it would be important to try and manage your list and simultaneously challenge the group and be able to ensure that there is some depth if there are injuries or poor form at the pointy end of the year? Wouldn't this also send a message to the playing list and just make them not take their spot for granted?
3. You mentioned we won 20 and lost 2 in home and away. Where did these losses come? They came at the WRONG END didn't they!! The pointy end of the season is not the right time to be losing momentum. If as coach you come to the realisation that some of your players will definitely need a freshen up leading in to September action, then wouldn't it make sense to start planning to rotate some blokes in the middle of the year? Does a coach have any control as to the teams momentum?? Damn right he does!! Wouldn't it be quite difficult to get continuity and momentum if you're resting/changing
more than a third of the team at the pointy end?
Yes - Lyon coached well. Yes, he did an overall good job, but ultimately he has to take responsibility for Saints line-up falling short. The best team of the finals series usually wins the GF, and many times it's not the team who wins the most games in Home and Away rounds. The buck stops with the senior coach.