St Kilda use Leigh Matthews in finals lead-up (herald sun)

[SainterK]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/ ... 42,00.html

EIGHT-time premiership player and coach Leigh Matthews has spoken to St Kilda's players about life at finals time.

Matthews addressed the Saints last Thursday night on an invitation from coach Ross Lyon.

It was the first time Lyon has called on a famous football identity to speak to players in his three years at Moorabbin.

"We just thought it was timely and relevant," he said last night.

"I'm not really keen to go into detail, but it was fantastic.

[joffaboy]

Well the bloke knows a bit about winning premierships.

[HarveysDeciple]

Fantastic idea.

Leigh tipped us for the flag at the MVP awards, certainly want that man in our corner.

[perfectionist]

Sometimes when players listen to speakers there can be credibility issues. This may relate to the speaker's own past record, or the speaker's current ability to understand the game and talk sense.

Of all the possible available speakers, only Leigh Matthews rates at the highest level in both of these aspects. Not only does he cut out any of the endless waffle that some commentators prefer, but he talks about what is required to win a flag from vast experience. So, everybody listens.

Great move from Ross. If you want to be the best, learn from the best.

[Enrico_Misso]

Did he give any tips for handling particular players?
Does Neville Bruns still play for Geelong?

[skeptic]

wonder what he said?

[rodgerfox]

Fantastic idea.

Leigh tipped us for the flag at the MVP awards, certainly want that man in our corner.

He didn't really hesitate either, did he.

[markp]

Hopefully down the track all will be revealed and it'll go down in St Kilda folklore as one of the many stepping stones to glory....

No one would know better than Matthews what is required to get the job done.

SOS is worth his weight in gold too I reckon.

[Ice Wolf]

wonder what he said?

Probably said if you make the GF do what ever it takes to ensure Victory even if it means you will never play again, I'm looking at you Baker.

[Stephen Theodore]

One of the TRUE legends of the game. Put AFL on the map (with Vossy) in QLD. Knows a thing or two about grand finals

[markp]

wonder what he said?

Probably said if you make the GF do what ever it takes to ensure Victory even if it means you will never play again, I'm looking at you Baker.

Followed by- *cough* garyablett *cough*

[perfectionist]

wonder what he said?

Probably said if you make the GF do what ever it takes to ensure Victory even if it means you will never play again, I'm looking at you Baker.

Don't think he would have needed to look at Steven Baker, or Kosi or Lenny. Maybe at one or two others, but their effort last Sunday seemed to demonstrate that they all had received the message.

[SaintWodonga]

I think great move to get him down at the club. We certainly don't have that winning culture that Leigh has.

[InkerSaint]

I think great move to get him down at the club. We certainly don't have that winning culture that Leigh has.

That's an odd thing to say... which comes first, the winning culture, or the wins?

And can you have one without the other?

Of course the trophies in the cabinet are the final arbiter... but the 5th longest winning streak in AFL/VFL history doesn't exactly scream "losing culture" to me either.

Not that I disagree with getting Lethal in to talk to the troops either... every little bit helps. Great move.

[aussiejones]

Mathews is an ideal choice . He is a man of few words but they are well worth listening too .

[SaintWodonga]

InkerSaint, I am talking about winning GF's Mathews did 4 as a player & 4 as a coach. Reckon it's not too odd.

[SainterK]

Fantastic idea.

Leigh tipped us for the flag at the MVP awards, certainly want that man in our corner.

He didn't really hesitate either, did he.

Nope, and good on him...

[InkerSaint]

Yes SaintWodonga, and Matthews played in as many losing Grand Finals as St. Kilda in its entire history. He also played in 3 Grand Final losses, 3 Prelim losses, and coached losses in both as well. It seems a bit myopic to suggest that a winning culture is all about flags when it is just as much about winning opportunities to contest a flag.

Or I can take your viewpoint and assume that we don't have a "winning culture" until we actually win a flag.

It seems to me that you're confusing "culture" with "reputation".

[Milton66]

Yes SaintWodonga, and Matthews played in as many losing Grand Finals as St. Kilda in its entire history. He also played in 3 Grand Final losses, 3 Prelim losses, and coached losses in both as well. It seems a bit myopic to suggest that a winning culture is all about flags when it is just as much about winning opportunities to contest a flag.

Or I can take your viewpoint and assume that we don't have a "winning culture" until we actually win a flag.

It seems to me that you're confusing "culture" with "reputation".

Let's just say that he brings a wealth of experience to the table. He has a "winner's" history.

Culture is a different thing altogether. It's about being professional enough to create thos eopportunities.

[InkerSaint]

Of course he does. But the club is not exactly a bunch of lepers crowding around to touch a saint. They've done plenty right this year already.

Getting Matthews in to me demonstrates that a winning culture is already at work.

[SainterK]

Wonder if he well tell them losing is "fustwating"

[35...LEGEND]

Fantastic idea.

Leigh tipped us for the flag at the MVP awards, certainly want that man in our corner.

Maybe he seen something in the Boy's eyes that he's seen before

[Moods]

Wonder if he well tell them losing is "fustwating"

Wonder if we went out looking for waskly wabbits afterwards? Who would ever think he was the toughest bloke to ever have played the game? He looks and acts like a cuddly grandpa these days.

Speaks a lot of sense though, and a great move by the club.

[Ice Wolf]

wonder what he said?

Probably said if you make the GF do what ever it takes to ensure Victory even if it means you will never play again, I'm looking at you Baker.

Don't think he would have needed to look at Steven Baker, or Kosi or Lenny. Maybe at one or two others, but their effort last Sunday seemed to demonstrate that they all had received the message.

That wasn't what I meant, it was a joke about doing what ever it takes and Bakers undeserved reputation of being a bit of a thug.

[saintsRrising]

Matthews addressed the Saints last Thursday night on an invitation from coach Ross Lyon.

.

So Ross "Lucky" Lyon strikes again.

Personally I do not see luck...I see an extremely capable person covering all the bases.