St Kilda Assistant Coach, Stephen Silvagni, faced the media today ahead of Friday night’s Round 11 match against Richmond at Etihad Stadium.
After the Saints finished off Round 10 against Adelaide in strong form, Silvagni and the coaching department are pleased to see signs that the Saints are getting settled back into playing Saints Footy for the 2010 season.
Speaking this morning, Silvagni said; “Our form has been up and down over the last three to four weeks, but it would be nice to be on 8 (wins) and 3 (losses) at the half way mark.
“There are some really good signs that we’ve taken out of the Adelaide game that our form is starting to turn around a bit.”
After clinching their first win of the season against Port Adelaide last weekend, Richmond will certainly be coming into Friday night on a high note, something that Silvagni admits the Saints will need to be conscious of.
“It’s a big Friday night game against Richmond and we can’t take anything for granted so we’re going to have to bring our best effort. “
“The Tigers have been in reasonable form over the last three to four weeks and have been really competitive, so a win wasn’t far away. Obviously their performance against Port Adelaide was fantastic for their Club.”
“I think everyone is aware these days that every team is capable of winning, and it was shown on the weekend.
With Dustin Martin nominated for the NAB Rising Star after Round 10, there are a number of other young Richmond players that have been developing their game since the start of this season, and will be ready to show the Saints what they can do.
“Richmond are an emerging side, a lot of young players have come into the team and now have six, seven or eight games under their belt. They also have a number of second and third year players who have been going well for them.”
“Our players know they are going to have to bring their best effort to be able to beat Richmond on Friday night.”
Spraining his ankle during Saturday night’s game against Adelaide, St Kilda defender Zac Dawson is in doubt to play.
Silvagni said of Dawson; “He will have to be able to train tomorrow to get up for Friday night’s game and at the minute he is unlikely. He has strained his ankle, so it is really just about waiting for the swelling to go down.”
Without Zac in the side, Silvagni, who looks after the Saints defence, will need to look to his other players to help manage the recent form of Jack Riewoldt, who has kicked 29 goals for the Tigers so far this season.
“(Jack Riewoldt) is in really good form. He is a strong body player with a strong mark, and after being around for a few seasons now he has the body to compete against the key position back men.
“He’s a really dangerous player and will obviously be one of the major focuses for our defence, to make sure we restrict his possessions as much as possible.”
As a Richmond home game on Friday night, only 16 Game Members will be permitted access to Etihad Stadium. If you have questions regarding your membership entitlements call 1300 GO SAINTS, or to purchase a ticket for the match please click here.
