We are gawn

[hungry for a premiership]

I know there has been shiploads of discussion on the whole Lyon saga, and I could've presented my views on another thread, but I've decided to spew it all out right here and now, for I have reached the end of my rope. I just need to get this last speil out before I go and say goodbye, partially, to the saints.

In the past week, since Ross up and left, I've run the whole gamut of emotions: from the initial utter shock that he was leaving after saying he was staying, through to outrage and anger at his apparent snake-like betrayal, to sadness that we were 1.) losing a great coach and that 2.) despite our success together and all the wonderful things that st.kilda fc and Ross achieved together, the partnership would ultimately be remembered as a failure and a tragedy, because the business was never finally finished.

Then, I got past all that sadness, and I actually found myself becoming excited. Excited and eager to see where we could go now, who our new coach will be, how the group will respond. I thought of how an ageing Geelong responded to a new coach this year. I thought about Hayes coming back and Roo getting a full pre-season and a dynamite new coach and I started believing again.

I've realised, now, though, that that excitement and confidence in the club was merely an overeaction and an over-positivisation to counteract the sadness caused by the reality that this St.Kilda team has been dealt a stunning, and I believe fatal, blow.

You can put as positive a spin on it as you like, many on here have done a great job of making it seem almost like the best possible thing that could've happened to us, like it's really great for the club, that Lyon was in fact holding us back with his defensive gameplan and conservative selection tendancies, and now that he's gone we can finally thrive... Bollocks.

We are goneskies, fellow saints. This team will not win a premiership. We will go down the ladder, and our current position as one of the more powerful clubs will be lost as we start to truly struggle again both on and off the field. We've just witnessed one of the best 10 year stints in the clubs history, and now it's all over, with lots of success, but no flag to show for it. Now this team is gone, and it's still going to be another couple of years before this team's time comes to an end and the club can start to build a new team to challenge. The party is over, folks. We were going down anyway, but at least we had a strong coach we could back in to guide us through to our next phase of success. Now we are rudderless, heading for rough seas without a captain.

We, as a club, at this point in time, have been completely and utterly cut down. It is simply impossible for this current St.Kilda team to get to the same levels it has previously gotten to, because 1.) there is no chance in buggery that the next coach of St.Kilda will be a better coach than Ross Lyon, so he won't be able to get anymore out of them or get the team playing better than what Ross did, so the way they're coached can only get worse, 2.) the core of the group is past its physical peak, and 3.) the group bears scars of previous failed attempts which quells the burning desire to get back there.

Of course, this is all just my opinion, but I believe it. All this, however, all this, I could take, if I really believed Ross was all to blame for the way he left.

In the past few days, however, it has become clear that there are two sides to this story. Ross didn't just leave without being aggravated. No. The board is not the innocent victim who did everything right and were unfairly betrayed. No. Do you really think Ross Lyon, after 5 years of LOYAL service, would all of a sudden do something absolutely, completely and utterly out of character with everything he's displayed in the past 5 years for no reason at all, or just to be a prick? Of course not, at least, IMHO.

When Ross Lyon says "I was disrespected and offended by the board throughout the year," and Nettlefold says, "I don't know what he's talking about," who do you believe? Who has done more to earn our trust? Who is the more trustworthy character in general? Lyon, lyon and lyon again. Paul Roos says, "Lyon had reason to feel aggrieved at St.Kilda. The situation was untenable." Why would Roos make that up?

How many effing threads were there throughout the year that said, "the board should do the prudent thing and re-sign Lyon now." When we were 1-8, and Lyon said "I'm in for the long haul," we could've signed him up at a reasonable rate, it would have been a show of good faith in him by us to sign him when we were losing, he'd be happy, we'd be happy, and right now we'd all be enjoying a nice, quiet off-season for a change.

And then when word of the Melbourne offer came to light, and many, many people, not just on here, but in the media, said, "why, if you were the St.Kilda board, wouldn't you just sign him up now and end all the speculation and secure the short-medium term future of the club?" But they didn't.

And now they have egg ALL OVER THEIR FACE. And If they didn't sign him because they didn't rate him as a coach and think that they can get a better one or don't think he's right for us, then they should instantly resign or be forcibly removed on the grounds of gross incompetence.

It was the boards solemn duty to resign Ross Lyon beyond 2012. That's pretty much all they had to effing do to ensure the clubs continued strength. As a board, that was their main job. And they cocked it up fantastically. How on earth do they justify the year long delay they had in this area. No excuse is good enough for me.

And now Misson is gone. So we've lost one of the top 2-3 coaches, and one of the top 2-3 fitness gurus.

We're Gawn.

I won't be renewing my membership next year because I don't think the club deserves it. I'll go to a few games and support the players, and will continue to be hungry for a premiership, but now that the window is closed, I'll put footy aside for a bit and get on with my life. I'll watch us fall in the next few years and remember this watershed moment when the board COCKED UP by being weak and indecisive and ended 10 years of sustained success and hard work and set us back another 5 years from becoming the powerhouse club that St.Kilda should and will one day be. There will always be those who will say the board acted appropriately but the plain fact is, if and when our on-field success dissipates in the next few years, and if in fact it goes to absolute crap, cellar-dwellar territory, which it may well, we will all know that St.Kilda, yet again, has no one to blame but itself.

[kos]

typical ship jumper!

i'd imagine that u would be first on the wagon if we start well next season.

piss of you flog! YOU and OTHER NEGATIVE PRICKS AREN"T NEEDED OR

WANTED!!!!!!!!!

[fingers]

Not going to read all that - saw one line about the assistant coaches. As an assistant why would you stay when the head coach goes? You are odds on to not have a job when the new guy comes in. So if you get an offer - you go.

[plugger66]

Love supporters who dont renew their membership because we either are gone or dont deserve it. They are excellent supporters, just want the club want.

Whilst I agree we cant get close to winning the flag next year you dont bye memberships just because we can win it. Well I certainly dont anyway.

[wolfpup]

lol

harden up dude

'the window is a lie'

[Dr Spaceman]

I suppose if Billy Ocean had've sung "When The Going Gets Tough, The Sooks Sook Off" it wouldn't have been such a big hit.

If that's your attitude you won't be missed.

[OneEyedSainter77]

All things considered, good post. Logically, we should not still be so hung up over whether or not Ross betrayed us, and I share your sentiments about the club, I too have that lingering fear that the next few years we will sink back into the murky depths of the bottom of the ladder, although perhaps not straight away...

Although, there was one part of your post I cant agree with and sadly I think everyone will focus on this point of your op because it stands out.

Now, I'm not a member at the moment so technically I'm not allowed to have an opinion - but - what the hell, I'll still say this:

If I was single, or if I was so rich, money was virtually no object, I would have a membership and I would go to every game in Melbourne and nothing, not even this sort of thing would stop me renewing my membership. As it stands, with a family to look after and provide for, I can't justify spending an extra 150 dollars a year to sign up and become a member. For the last five years I was, but unfortunately, last year I couldnt renew it as it was too much, considering I was starting a family with my wife and all the other expenses we have, I couldnt but something so expensive and downright selfish that would be only my pleasure.

So my father paid for and used my membership, as due to a major f*** up by the club at the start of 2010, he didn't have his social club membership anymore, so I let him have mine.

Technically I'm still a member, but as I didn't pay for it and dont go to games, I can't really call myself a member...

So, basically my point is (and I honestly don't give a stuff what any of you pricks to which money is clearly not an object think - my finances are NONE of your business) that were it not for all of the above, I would still be a member because I love this club. Nothing will ever change that...nothing.

[Richter]

A long, thought out post, which can be summed up in one word... SOFT.

Of course the window's going to close at some stage for this group. It's the nature of the way the competition works. No team can continually make finals year after year after year. Therein lies the real reason RL left. Like you, he is not up for the challenge when a much easier is available elsewhere. For some people supporting a team on the decline is too hard. They are called fair weather fans... and you are a prime example.

Because of the unevenness in our list, we are more likely to bottom out rather than quickly rebound, but that is by no means certain. Anyhow, you can watch from the sidelines.

For me, well I plan to buy a second membership next year.

[Thomas]

Post=utter nonsense.

[gringo]

Can you f*** off the FAN forum then?

[MadSaintFan]

p*ss off mate. seeya when we are top 4 again no doubt.

[bigcarl]

He's Gawn. Decided to bail out when the going got tough ... we don't need those types.

[Nikky Rixon]

Look just need skill errors ironed out , more attacking game style get FEVOLA up forward , no reason why we shouldnt be where Geelong are

[Dr Spaceman]

Look just need skill errors ironed out , more attacking game style get FEVOLA up forward , no reason why we shouldnt be where Geelong are

So you think that with what is happening at the club at the moment it would be a good time to bring Fev into the place?

[OneEyedSainter77]

Look just need skill errors ironed out , more attacking game style get FEVOLA up forward , no reason why we shouldnt be where Geelong are

So you think that with what is happening at the club at the moment it would be a good time to bring Fev into the place?

If nothing else, it would be a perfect fit atm.

Yeah, nah. Stay well away sainters!

[IluvHarvey]

See ya!

Thanks for riding the band wagon......I hope you have enjoyed your trip..... next stop "Hungry for a premiership's" house. Please make sure you don't leave any belonging on the wagon. Thanks for riding with us and we will no doubt pick you back up when we start being a force again.
For all those with a bit of mongrel about you please enjoy the rest of the ride.

[R. Harvey 3 votes!]

typical ship jumper!

i'd imagine that u would be first on the wagon if we start well next season.

piss of you flog! YOU and OTHER NEGATIVE PRICKS AREN"T NEEDED OR

WANTED!!!!!!!!!

+1

[Wrote for Luck]

don't fall into the trap of overly focussing on our stars and the fact they're aging. that was part of Lyon's problem. Too heavily reliant on the big names.

examples; Rooy goes down and jeeze what a battle we had a for a few weeks
Lennny goes down; gosh pretty sh*t half of the year and no finals muster

I always felt our game plan was a little reliant on a proven pattern and bigger name players. just too much pressure on 'em (especially Roo)

other guys were your role players. we need to shift away from this where everyone is equal and everyone has same role.

more opportunity for the players now I say - and it's players that win you a grand final. maybe more opportunity would have seen Ball get us over the line 2009

Lyon is totally replaceable. even if he wanted nothing to do with exhausting the negotiation table.

take a look at Lyon. how has he aged! reckon he was stressed man and wanted to get out of Vic.

onwards and upwards

[Batnoe]

Its funny how these so called fans want to jump ship. I see it first hand just trying to run a supporter group in Brisbane when the Saints are playing well. Have had 4 people since the end of the season leave the group, i assume they werent real fans anyway and no big loss but there are too many bandwagon supporters out there!!

A real supporter stays, watches the re build, get the joy of the occasional win and stars being born... If that is what we are going to go through, bring it on!! Im ready, im disappointed we dont have a flag to show for it, but its not going to stop me barracking and watching every single game

[Saints43]

I won't be renewing my membership next year because ... the window is closed, I'll put footy aside for a bit and get on with my life.

Hope to see you soon, glory hunter.

[SainterK]

"Hungry for a premiership"

Ross?

[Vazelos]

If we are gone and you are a true supporter this is when you do renew your membership.

The relation with our club should not be reliant on a particular player, coach or board, they are just custodians of their positions at this particular place in time.

My relationship with St Kilda is a personal thing between me and the club which started when I was 8 years old in the late 70s.

I loved Lockett more than the club almost and was devastated when he left but I recovered. I have emotional scars from 97, 09 & 10 as well as 91, 04 qnd 05 where I believed we were good enough but I survived.

This club is like your children, its unconditional.

I am a social club member but this year due to huge commitments and I admit heartbreak over the last 2 seasons I only went to a 5 games, the lowest in 20 years but i am firm in the knowledge my money has helped the club.

If you want us to be strong again then stay strong, not renewing your membership is a way to hurt the club and unfortunately you will be a band wagon supporter if you jump on at a later date.

[Stillwaiting]

I won't be renewing my membership next year because ... the window is closed, I'll put footy aside for a bit and get on with my life.

Hope to see you soon, glory hunter.

So what happens next year when the new coach comes on board, hopfully with a more attractive game plan and we start winning, will you jump back on. I hope not

[SaintPav]

I know there has been shiploads of discussion on the whole Lyon saga, and I could've presented my views on another thread, but I've decided to spew it all out right here and now, for I have reached the end of my rope. I just need to get this last speil out before I go and say goodbye, partially, to the saints.

In the past week, since Ross up and left, I've run the whole gamut of emotions: from the initial utter shock that he was leaving after saying he was staying, through to outrage and anger at his apparent snake-like betrayal, to sadness that we were 1.) losing a great coach and that 2.) despite our success together and all the wonderful things that st.kilda fc and Ross achieved together, the partnership would ultimately be remembered as a failure and a tragedy, because the business was never finally finished.

Then, I got past all that sadness, and I actually found myself becoming excited. Excited and eager to see where we could go now, who our new coach will be, how the group will respond. I thought of how an ageing Geelong responded to a new coach this year. I thought about Hayes coming back and Roo getting a full pre-season and a dynamite new coach and I started believing again.

I've realised, now, though, that that excitement and confidence in the club was merely an overeaction and an over-positivisation to counteract the sadness caused by the reality that this St.Kilda team has been dealt a stunning, and I believe fatal, blow.

You can put as positive a spin on it as you like, many on here have done a great job of making it seem almost like the best possible thing that could've happened to us, like it's really great for the club, that Lyon was in fact holding us back with his defensive gameplan and conservative selection tendancies, and now that he's gone we can finally thrive... Bollocks.

We are goneskies, fellow saints. This team will not win a premiership. We will go down the ladder, and our current position as one of the more powerful clubs will be lost as we start to truly struggle again both on and off the field. We've just witnessed one of the best 10 year stints in the clubs history, and now it's all over, with lots of success, but no flag to show for it. Now this team is gone, and it's still going to be another couple of years before this team's time comes to an end and the club can start to build a new team to challenge. The party is over, folks. We were going down anyway, but at least we had a strong coach we could back in to guide us through to our next phase of success. Now we are rudderless, heading for rough seas without a captain.

We, as a club, at this point in time, have been completely and utterly cut down. It is simply impossible for this current St.Kilda team to get to the same levels it has previously gotten to, because 1.) there is no chance in buggery that the next coach of St.Kilda will be a better coach than Ross Lyon, so he won't be able to get anymore out of them or get the team playing better than what Ross did, so the way they're coached can only get worse, 2.) the core of the group is past its physical peak, and 3.) the group bears scars of previous failed attempts which quells the burning desire to get back there.

Of course, this is all just my opinion, but I believe it. All this, however, all this, I could take, if I really believed Ross was all to blame for the way he left.

In the past few days, however, it has become clear that there are two sides to this story. Ross didn't just leave without being aggravated. No. The board is not the innocent victim who did everything right and were unfairly betrayed. No. Do you really think Ross Lyon, after 5 years of LOYAL service, would all of a sudden do something absolutely, completely and utterly out of character with everything he's displayed in the past 5 years for no reason at all, or just to be a prick? Of course not, at least, IMHO.

When Ross Lyon says "I was disrespected and offended by the board throughout the year," and Nettlefold says, "I don't know what he's talking about," who do you believe? Who has done more to earn our trust? Who is the more trustworthy character in general? Lyon, lyon and lyon again. Paul Roos says, "Lyon had reason to feel aggrieved at St.Kilda. The situation was untenable." Why would Roos make that up?

How many effing threads were there throughout the year that said, "the board should do the prudent thing and re-sign Lyon now." When we were 1-8, and Lyon said "I'm in for the long haul," we could've signed him up at a reasonable rate, it would have been a show of good faith in him by us to sign him when we were losing, he'd be happy, we'd be happy, and right now we'd all be enjoying a nice, quiet off-season for a change.

And then when word of the Melbourne offer came to light, and many, many people, not just on here, but in the media, said, "why, if you were the St.Kilda board, wouldn't you just sign him up now and end all the speculation and secure the short-medium term future of the club?" But they didn't.

And now they have egg ALL OVER THEIR FACE. And If they didn't sign him because they didn't rate him as a coach and think that they can get a better one or don't think he's right for us, then they should instantly resign or be forcibly removed on the grounds of gross incompetence.

It was the boards solemn duty to resign Ross Lyon beyond 2012. That's pretty much all they had to effing do to ensure the clubs continued strength. As a board, that was their main job. And they cocked it up fantastically. How on earth do they justify the year long delay they had in this area. No excuse is good enough for me.

And now Misson is gone. So we've lost one of the top 2-3 coaches, and one of the top 2-3 fitness gurus.

We're Gawn.

I won't be renewing my membership next year because I don't think the club deserves it. I'll go to a few games and support the players, and will continue to be hungry for a premiership, but now that the window is closed, I'll put footy aside for a bit and get on with my life. I'll watch us fall in the next few years and remember this watershed moment when the board COCKED UP by being weak and indecisive and ended 10 years of sustained success and hard work and set us back another 5 years from becoming the powerhouse club that St.Kilda should and will one day be. There will always be those who will say the board acted appropriately but the plain fact is, if and when our on-field success dissipates in the next few years, and if in fact it goes to absolute crap, cellar-dwellar territory, which it may well, we will all know that St.Kilda, yet again, has no one to blame but itself.

I printed this off and used it as toilet paper when taking my crap.

[mullet]

Hungry read the article from Inside football posted on another thread. It may make you feel a bit better about things. I can understand how you feel and lets be truthful there will be a lot more feeling the same way.

So instead of abusing you I will ask you to reconsider your decision. I cant give you any great reasons to stick fat, and I dont know any secrets, but we need all the support we can muster.

BTW I have been dealing with saints stuff for 50 years, and have felt like walking so many times, but they need me, and they need you too.