A new team, returning forwards and plenty more.

Hear all the latest from Ross Lyon as the Saints begin preparations for Sunday's encounter against North Melbourne.

Roos on the rebound

‘Never underestimate your opponent’ is the simple, but effective message Lyon and the Saints are taking into this week’s match against North Melbourne.

With the Roos looking to make amends off the back of their 90-point defeat to Melbourne last Saturday, Lyon won’t let last week’s result impact the way St Kilda prepares for its upcoming contest.

The Saints have won just three of their past five matches against North Melbourne, recording a 53-point win last season at Marvel Stadium to coincide with Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Ross says…: We expect a fierce response. They’ve got a fierce coach. The fundamental mantra is the last result doesn’t count for the next, otherwise we wouldn’t have a season and the results would be pre-determined. They shouldn’t be any more fired up than us to play our best football. We’ve only won one out of our last three, and admittedly they have been close, but we need to fix our forward-50 efficiency. The edge is on, the fire is in the belly and we’re all chasing the best team in the comp, Geelong.

Return of the King… almost

Big, imposing, powerful, agile… and almost back in the red, white and black.

Max King is inching closer towards his return from injury, making a full comeback to main training this morning as he builds towards a potential Round 9 appearance.

Although the excitement surrounding the key forward’s possible return has rivalled that of Tasmania being granted a license for a 19^th AFL team, Lyon won’t rush King as he passes all the key markers to slot back into the senior line-up.

Ross says..: He’s done work than Membrey did before he came back, so he’s in full-training, full-contact – not that we do a lot – but they’ll manufacture something at the end of this session and on Friday. He’ll get two weeks full training. I’ve touched base with him to see what he’s thinking, and obviously we’ve got the form of the team to consider as well. Jump all the hurdles and get to match committee and discuss, but how exciting for the club.

Delays for Hayes

It’s sadly not all good news on the injury front, with Jack Hayes hitting another obstacle following a hamstring tendon setback.

Hayes had just five senior games to his name before rupturing his ACL in the early stages of last season, but has since grappled with knee, foot and now hamstring issues in his recovery.

The latest injury is likely to sideline Hayes for a minimum of eight weeks.

Ross says…: These things happen unfortunately. I spoke to him this morning and he’s still quite optimistic. He’s had a rough run with ACL and a significant fracture in his foot, and then he’s gone and done this. I try to stay out of rehab, but we’re working to get better.

Tassie incoming

 It’s a historic day for the AFL, and above all, Tasmania.

The competition will again expand in the coming years with the introduction of a 19^th team, with the proud footballing state taking a vital step after many years of lobbying and campaigning for their own side.

While talk about draft picks, player retention and much more have inevitably been floated around in anticipation of Tasmania’s arrival, excitement for a new team is – and should be – the key storyline from today.

Ross says…: (A 19^th team) means excitement. It’s been a long, drawn-out process I suppose, but a considered one. I’m a football traditionalist, and there are traditional football states… so it’s exciting for them. I heard the Tasmanian Premier talking and he was in Western Australia when the Eagles were announced, and it really galvanised that state and brought a real energy to Western Australia and Perth. I’m sure it’ll do the same for Tassie.