Ross Lyon’s to-the-point statements during last weekend’s post-game press conference may have been construed as forward, but he and the Saints aren’t shying away from it as a strong response against North Melbourne beckons this weekend.
Lyon was unashamedly direct in his assessment of the Saints’ fourth loss in five weeks, highlighting his side’s inability to make the most of their opportunities and would be undeserving of making finals if the team’s current run of form was to continue.
However despite the disappointing patch which has seen several teams around them push towards top-eight contention, Lyon says it isn’t too late for the Saints to earn its place come September.
“We sit sixth on the ladder, so we must have done something right, although if I read the headlines I don’t think we have. But I think I created that, really,” Lyon said at this morning’s press conference.
“I used some emotive language after the game because I was really disappointed in how I got the players to the line and how they played.
“It was a typical review. We have a review every week. Obviously we played what we did well and where we needed to improve… obviously we didn’t do as much well as we would have hoped over the weekend.”
Although offset by the lack of key forward talent through injury, inefficiency inside-50 has become the focal point of discussions surrounding the Saints off the back of Saturday’s match against Gold Coast.
St Kilda registered a 27.1 per cent efficiency rating for the game - well down from the season average of 45 per cent - to record just eight goals, six of which came after half-time.
It’s a “conundrum” Lyon and the Saints are looking to solve with six games of the home-and-away season still to play.
“We’re a conundrum because we’ve moved the ball really well typically all year from one end of the ground to the other, so I don’t think we’re stodgy in that respect,” Lyon said.
“On average we get the ball back in our front half fifth-most in the league, so everyone would like that stat which gives you opportunities to go back in.
“But all year… we’ve been 18th for efficiency of scoring. We can talk about if Max King and Tim Membrey were there, would we score a little bit more? I think marginally.
“It’d be like saying, with respect to Chris Scott if he’s listening, if we put Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron in there, would they score a little bit more? Yes, but how we’re using the ball and where we’re using it from, even those guys would struggle.
“Really, should we have been able to sort it our and problem-solve more effectively than we have as a playing group and a coaching group? I would think yes, so that’s a frustration, but there was probably a tipping point on the weekend.”
Lyon flagged there would be some changes on the horizon heading into Sunday’s match against North Melbourne, with Jack Higgins (knee), Jack Billings (thumb) and Jack Hayes all in the selection frame for Round 19 pending final tests.
Zaine Cordy is unlikely to get up as he remains in concussion protocols, while Max King took part in a running session earlier this week as he looks to beat the clock for a potential return later this season.
The Saints have only used 31 players this season despite the taxing injury toll, the most recent of which being Jack Peris, who made his debut last weekend against the Suns.
Selection aside, this weekend’s game looms as another encounter with many concurrent storylines, particularly surrounding who will coach North Melbourne this weekend.
“They really challenged us last time and there’s a lot of noise around Clarko (Alastair Clarkson) coming back and Brett (Ratten) being there having been the senior coach here, but it all means nothing come game day.”
