brilliant_bally
24 Nov 2007, 15:10
ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon says sentiment and a desire to keep a champion in the game were critical factors in the decision to select full-forward Fraser Gehrig with pick 57 at the NAB AFL Draft.
Despite selecting young ruckman Ben McEvoy with pick 9, hard-nut onballer Jack Steven (42) and Eljay Connors (70), all talk centred on Gehrig.
After retiring from football after round 22, Gehrig had a change of heart last week when he surprised the football world by nominating for the draft.
“I’m more from the Kevin Sheedy school of thought in that we lose our champions pretty quick and if you can keep them involved in the game then do that and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” Lyon said.
“It took a number of discussions. You throw a lot of curve balls in and you have to paint the potential downside but as you get older in life you realise that nothing is black and white and there are a few more grey areas. There is the human side of people who you respect in your club and he’s got game milestones in front of him.
“Whatever happens, if things don’t go exactly as planned, it doesn’t matter.
“He’s been a great player, and he’ll always be considered a great player and he gets a wonderful opportunity. He’s really determined to have a positive contribution.”
After a slow start to the 2007 season the 31-year-old Saint finished the year strongly, averaging four goals a game in the last 10 matches.
Lyon said age, and the fact Gehrig was likely to play only one more season, was not a factor.
“You’re always playing against the balance of the future and the current demands but we’ve done extensive list profiling and benchmarking the last 15 premiers and where we sit with players between 17 to 21, 22 to 26 and then over 28, and we’re spot on with that,” he said.
“We feel as though the club is in really good shape list wise for the next three to four years.
“You don’t have to make yourself a kindergarten.
“You can develop and aim to be successful at the same time. It’s not mutually exclusive.”
Lyon said the Saints were thrilled to add McEvoy, considered the best ruckman in the draft behind No.1 pick Matthew Kreuzer, Steven, who won the Geelong Falcons best and fairest as a bottom age player, and Connors, who is the brother of Richmond’s Daniel.
“Coming into the draft we had those three high on our priority, so we’ve walked away, in simple terms, with the players we wanted to get,” he said.
Lyon said the decision to exercise pick 9 on McEvoy was an easy one.
“It wasn’t about for needs, it was about the best player, and they (St Kilda recruiters John Peake and John Beveridge) felt that at pick 9 he was the best player,” Lyon said.
“I don’t believe in wasting a first round pick on position.”
Steven is rated by Geelong Falcons coach, Garry Hocking, as a “super tough, quick onballer/defender with good skills and who makes the right decisions.”
Eljay Conners
“A quick, skilful midfielder who is the brother of Daniel who plays at Richmond. Had some significant injury concerns that had him off the radar a bit, but we are confident he will overcome them.” –Lyon
Jack Steven
“He’s quick (three seconds for 20 metres and 14.5 beep test) and is one year out of Lorne, is bottom age and won the best and fairest at the Geelong Falcons. A real competitor.” – Lyon
Ben McEvoy
“It wasn’t about for needs, it was about the best player, and they (St Kilda recruiters John Peake and John Beveridge) felt that at pick 9 he was the best player.” –Lyon
Despite selecting young ruckman Ben McEvoy with pick 9, hard-nut onballer Jack Steven (42) and Eljay Connors (70), all talk centred on Gehrig.
After retiring from football after round 22, Gehrig had a change of heart last week when he surprised the football world by nominating for the draft.
“I’m more from the Kevin Sheedy school of thought in that we lose our champions pretty quick and if you can keep them involved in the game then do that and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” Lyon said.
“It took a number of discussions. You throw a lot of curve balls in and you have to paint the potential downside but as you get older in life you realise that nothing is black and white and there are a few more grey areas. There is the human side of people who you respect in your club and he’s got game milestones in front of him.
“Whatever happens, if things don’t go exactly as planned, it doesn’t matter.
“He’s been a great player, and he’ll always be considered a great player and he gets a wonderful opportunity. He’s really determined to have a positive contribution.”
After a slow start to the 2007 season the 31-year-old Saint finished the year strongly, averaging four goals a game in the last 10 matches.
Lyon said age, and the fact Gehrig was likely to play only one more season, was not a factor.
“You’re always playing against the balance of the future and the current demands but we’ve done extensive list profiling and benchmarking the last 15 premiers and where we sit with players between 17 to 21, 22 to 26 and then over 28, and we’re spot on with that,” he said.
“We feel as though the club is in really good shape list wise for the next three to four years.
“You don’t have to make yourself a kindergarten.
“You can develop and aim to be successful at the same time. It’s not mutually exclusive.”
Lyon said the Saints were thrilled to add McEvoy, considered the best ruckman in the draft behind No.1 pick Matthew Kreuzer, Steven, who won the Geelong Falcons best and fairest as a bottom age player, and Connors, who is the brother of Richmond’s Daniel.
“Coming into the draft we had those three high on our priority, so we’ve walked away, in simple terms, with the players we wanted to get,” he said.
Lyon said the decision to exercise pick 9 on McEvoy was an easy one.
“It wasn’t about for needs, it was about the best player, and they (St Kilda recruiters John Peake and John Beveridge) felt that at pick 9 he was the best player,” Lyon said.
“I don’t believe in wasting a first round pick on position.”
Steven is rated by Geelong Falcons coach, Garry Hocking, as a “super tough, quick onballer/defender with good skills and who makes the right decisions.”
Eljay Conners
“A quick, skilful midfielder who is the brother of Daniel who plays at Richmond. Had some significant injury concerns that had him off the radar a bit, but we are confident he will overcome them.” –Lyon
Jack Steven
“He’s quick (three seconds for 20 metres and 14.5 beep test) and is one year out of Lorne, is bottom age and won the best and fairest at the Geelong Falcons. A real competitor.” – Lyon
Ben McEvoy
“It wasn’t about for needs, it was about the best player, and they (St Kilda recruiters John Peake and John Beveridge) felt that at pick 9 he was the best player.” –Lyon