Lyon Interview 21/4 - Article Adelaide Herald Sun

[Saintsime]

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/spor ... 12,00.html


FIFTEEN kilometres, covered by Mark Webber in just three minutes on a good day, can be a tyranny of distance between AFL clubs. There was St Kilda coach Ross Lyon yesterday, hosting his weekly media scrum with ease, even replying "without being disrespectful" to a question he clearly thought idiotic.

That's what four wins and a percentage of 200.4 can do when you feed the chooks on a sun-bathed Moorabbin Oval.

Even the constant noise from the demolition of a dilapidated stand couldn't take the gloss off a heavenly autumn's day at the home of the Saints.

As Lyon sent us hacks on our way with a heartfelt "thanks, fellas", another media pack hovered around Punt Rd, hoping to be thrown a carcass with enough morsels left on it for some evening copy.

Fifty-year-old Richmond coach Terry Wallace can look no further than the day ahead, while 42-year-old Lyon is looking at Round 6 for a possible Raphael Clarke return, Round 7 for Max Hudghton and Round whenever for centre half-back Matt Maguire.

Lyon faces an embarrassment of riches, particularly with ruckman Ben McEvoy also flying in the VFL.

Maguire, whose career has been virtually put on hold since breaking the tibia and fibula in his left leg in a sickening collision with West Coast's Tyson Stenglein in 2006, is showing good signs in the VFL for Sandringham.

"He's improving weekly," Lyon said. "Am I happy? It's more about he's fit, he's well and he's finding form and getting footy minutes up.

"Since Round 18, 2006, it's been a really long, hard haul. He's had moments where you think he's there and then he's had a significant interruption.

"It's been a really tough battle for him. I'm on record to say I've admired the way he's fought back and physically he's about the best he's been for a long time.

"We're setting him up to succeed but, in saying that, it won't be a walk-up start for him this year."

And Hudghton (calf) and Clarke (hamstring)?

"Max, he's critical. Maybe Round 7, but as a champion full-back of our club we'll sit down with him and decide whether he plays AFL football straight away or in the VFL," Lyon said.

"Raph Clarke will be back this week but the game is so brutal, do you risk him straight away? And Ben McEvoy was best afield in the VFL. I'm actually quite nervous about selection."

I'm sure Wallace would take nervous over feeling bilious any day, although the nature of the caper ensures Lyon will also experience plenty of the latter.

Right now he's getting his men ready to confront Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

"We've played some strong opposition (Sydney, Adelaide), but in saying that I think it's our biggest challenge because they're in really good form having beaten the reigning premier," Lyon said.

"We really rate them and are really excited to be on the big stage on Friday night.

"Both teams will be coming in near full strength. Everyone talks about our (poor) interstate record, but we have won our last three interstate for premiership points."

[saintbrat]

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/spor ... 12,00.html


FIFTEEN kilometres, covered by Mark Webber in just three minutes on a good day, can be a tyranny of distance between AFL clubs. There was St Kilda coach Ross Lyon yesterday, hosting his weekly media scrum with ease, even replying "without being disrespectful" to a question he clearly thought idiotic.

That's what four wins and a percentage of 200.4 can do when you feed the chooks on a sun-bathed Moorabbin Oval.

Even the constant noise from the demolition of a dilapidated stand couldn't take the gloss off a heavenly autumn's day at the home of the Saints.

As Lyon sent us hacks on our way with a heartfelt "thanks, fellas",

audio here

http://podsentral.com/sites/default/fil ... %20raw.MP3 including the ' with respect ' comments when they ask 'inane' questions.