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Preseason Updates

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Ice-Wolf

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Herald Sun | Scott Gullan | 08 January 2008 said:
Saints in best shape for years

FINGERS are crossed, toes . . . the whole lot down at St Kilda at the moment because the new year has brought something new - fit players.

The Saints have been haunted by injuries in recent times but 39 out of a possible 45 players took part in a time-trial around Princes Park yesterday morning.
Co-captains Nick Riewoldt and Lenny Hayes were two who didn't take part but that was more precautionary than anything else.
The Saints big men - Justin Koschitzke, Fraser Gehrig, Michael Gardiner and recruit Steven King -- also didn't do the 3km run and instead jogged around a near-by grassed oval.
That was part of a new alternative program which has been devised to ensure they all get to the start of the season in perfect shape.
The trial was won by rookie Robert Eddy who went well under the 10-minute barrier with Jason Blake coming in second.

Veteran Robert Harvey was up the front of the pack, while Brendon Goddard showed his return from a knee reconstruction was on track.
Football manager Matthew Drain said there was a confidence around the club that the players fitness levels were at a new level.
The Saints have lured former Sydney fitness guru Dave Missen to Moorabbin this year and are hopeful his magic touch - he was an integral part of the Swans 2005 premiership success - rubs off.
With fitness levels improving, coach Ross Lyon is looking to some of the old names to provide a spark for his side as the Saints try to reverse their fortunes in 2008.
Lyon has earmarked St Kilda's new-found ruck strength as a key to the club's fortunes.
"Michael Gardiner said before Christmas it's the best he's felt in four years," the second-year coach said.

Link to Story
Click to expand...

Looking good on the injury and fitness front, but only time will tell.
 
Re: HUN: Saints in best shape for years

I'd hate to sound like Nexus Helen here... But unfortunately we have heard these fitness comments before.

It's not that I doubt they are very fit, it's just that I think the players start to believe they are fit and the work rate drops (excluding a few players of course).

Fingers crossed they keep pushing on and really give it a crack in 2008... I would love to eat those words:rolleyes:
 
Re: HUN: Saints in best shape for years

Mods.....could we move this story and things like it into a Pre Season Updates thread?? Might be more useful.


I also read that article. If I do my maths, 6 players did not participate in the time trial. Rooey, Lendog, Kosi, G Train, Micky G and King. I assume then that big Goosey completed the run. Does anyone have any word as to how he was looking?????
 
Re: HUN: Saints in best shape for years

PLEASE le t this be true...
 

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Re: HUN: Saints in best shape for years

It's a good sign. However, a lot can go wrong between now and round one.
 
Re: HUN: Saints in best shape for years

Sir Robert said:
I'd hate to sound like Nexus Helen here... But unfortunately we have heard these fitness comments before.

It's not that I doubt they are very fit, it's just that I think the players start to believe they are fit and the work rate drops (excluding a few players of course).

Fingers crossed they keep pushing on and really give it a crack in 2008... I would love to eat those words:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Did we have David Misson on board before?

No.

Ergo, victorias cum davidis missonis ...

(Forgive the bad Latin)
 
Re: HUN: Saints in best shape for years

Look2Me4Guidance said:
Mods.....could we move this story and things like it into a Pre Season Updates thread?? Might be more useful.


I also read that article. If I do my maths, 6 players did not participate in the time trial. Rooey, Lendog, Kosi, G Train, Micky G and King. I assume then that big Goosey completed the run. Does anyone have any word as to how he was looking?????
Click to expand...

Co-captains Nick Riewoldt and Lenny Hayes were two who didn't take part but that was more precautionary than anything else.
The Saints big men - Justin Koschitzke, Fraser Gehrig, Michael Gardiner and recruit Steven King -- also didn't do the 3km run and instead jogged around a near-by grassed oval.
That was part of a new alternative program which has been devised to ensure they all get to the start of the season in perfect shape.

It appears that he either completed the run or wasn't included because of his foot injury.
 
I doubt Goose will be doing competitive running yet.

Great to see tailored programs. It's important to have group unity, but there's no point flogging the older guys or ones susceptible to injury.

Some astute recruiting, new sponsors, and now some smarts around training. This has to be good even if lady luck hasn't dropped in on Moorabbin lately (she's still down in Greeves Street St Kilda trying it on).
 
Healthy Saints ready to rise
11:04 AM Wed 9 January, 2008 | Back

By Ben Broad

ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon says the 2008 AFL Premiership race is wide open, with all 16 clubs entering this season with a realistic chance of achieving the ultimate prize.
Speaking at Moorabbin on Wednesday before his side took part in a skills session, Lyon said despite Geelong’s dominance of 2007, the upcoming season promised to be among the most competitive in history.

“There’s no cellar-dwellers really anymore,” Lyon said.

“I think there wouldn’t be a team in the competition that’s not looking to make the eight, which I don’t think you could have said the last few years.

“I think it’s going to be a great year of football.”

The Saints narrowly missed the finals last season and, like seven other clubs in 2008, will be doing their utmost to remedy that this year.

But Lyon doesn’t believe that will be as easy as some might think.

“Clearly Richmond have already signalled their intent with their aspirations, and Carlton with [Chris] Judd and Stevens back [from injury], Essendon are looking to play finals, [too].

“I don’t think there’s anyone thinking, ‘Geez we’re easy-beats’ … so it’s going to be a fantastic year of footy and the possibility for everyone at this stage of the year is a premiership and [playing] finals.

“We want to make sure we’re doing the hard work to give ourselves the best possible chance to compete against those teams.”

St Kilda endured a horror run of injuries early in 2007 but things are looking up in the new year.

Close to 40 players were training at Moorabbin on Wednesday, while Matt McGuire (foot) jogged laps and appears to be recovering from stress fractures in his foot.

After completing what was a turbulent first year off the field at the club, Lyon believes things are settling down at the Saints – and there is a positive vibe around the place.

“I walked into a club in interesting circumstances but we’ve worked through all that,” he said.

“It’s a united club, we’ve got some wonderful sponsorships on board … and we’ve got a real stability and the players have formed a real relationship with myself and the coaching panel, which takes time.

“Some things do take time. So we are settled and it does feel energetic and vibrant.”
Click to expand...

There's your answer on Goose.

I'm really looking forward to this season. Obviously every team is flying at this time of year but we do seem to have a bigger amount of players in full training than usual and with a far better set up off the field and a good finish to 2007 there's no reason why we shouldn't be confident.
 
sainter said:
There's your answer on Goose.

I'm really looking forward to this season. Obviously every team is flying at this time of year but we do seem to have a bigger amount of players in full training than usual and with a far better set up off the field and a good finish to 2007 there's no reason why we shouldn't be confident.
Click to expand...

Well by all reports, it sounds like the players have improved their fitness level, compared to this time last year. That's a huge positive.
 
ChrisFooty said:
Well by all reports, it sounds like the players have improved their fitness level, compared to this time last year. That's a huge positive.
Click to expand...
humph,

they should have been fit last year!

no excuses.:thumbsd:

what was there excuse last fyear for not being fit enough?:mad:
 
sammm said:
humph,

they should have been fit last year!

no excuses.:thumbsd:

what was there excuse last fyear for not being fit enough?:mad:
Click to expand...
Maybe our brand new fitness and conditioning coach quitting before the start of the season. You only need to look at our soft tissue injury rate to realise we were a pig's breakfast when it came to that side of the game.
 

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sammm said:
humph,

they should have been fit last year!

no excuses.:thumbsd:

what was there excuse last fyear for not being fit enough?:mad:
Click to expand...

All top level Footballers in this sport are fit, well Carlton let go one who wasn't.

Its a matter of peaking, recovery, muscle development, managing of injuries and individual programs. ETC ETC


Our players were not at their Peak level of fitness last year thats for sure, but it isn't as simple as 10 laps around the oval anymore either
 
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,23076480%5E20322,00.html


Maguire ready to go for 2008
20 January 2008 Sunday Herald Sun
Jackie Epstein



MATT Maguire is confident his 2008 comeback will be better than last year's version.

It can only be a good sign he is running laps and completing an intense cross-training program only two months after treatment for stress fractures in his left foot.
He returned from a broken leg to play 10 games, but by November was struck down again.
"Last year I was 100 per cent, but there are some things that you just couldn't quite see," Maguire said.
"It's a different injury. A broken leg is a lot different to having a broken foot.
"I'm taking it very slowly, but bones just heal over time.
"With the pin being in it, you can really go as hard as you want, but with this foot break it's more of a loading issue through the leg, just to make sure that you're not putting too much weight through it when you shouldn't be."
Maguire has been working with the Saints' new doctor, Tim Barber, who came across from the Victorian Institute of Sport.
Recently Maguire cut a lonely figure in the rehab group with the list healthier than it has been in years.
The defender, who hopes to become more versatile by playing on talls and smalls, is aiming to be fit for Round 1.
"NAB Cup . . , well you never know," Maguire said.
"I haven't put a return date on. It's about going through the process and making sure that every box is ticked for me.
"It's not about getting out there as quickly as possible because we tried that last year. But I am definitely looking to get a lot of games under my belt this year."
The return of Fraser Gehrig has lifted the group, and Maguire said he was shocked when the full-forward came out of retirement.
"That week I picked up the paper every morning and just had a little giggle to myself that Fraser's coming back," he said.
"Somehow he just puts a smile on your face."
Maguire said there was a great opportunity for success under second-year coach Ross Lyon.
"Definitely his message is getting through," he said.
"It's a very good game plan and one that we think will be very productive for us this year."
---------
Please goosey have a good 2008:cool:
 

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How's Luke Van Rheehan going? Could he step into the senior side and go alright if guys like Gardy/King/Kosi continue having no luck injury-wise?
 
macca69 said:
How's Luke Van Rheehan going? Could he step into the senior side and go alright if guys like Gardy/King/Kosi continue having no luck injury-wise?
Click to expand...

No idea about his pre-season. I think it's unlikely he could push for senior selection this year. Needs to get into the best more often at Casey. I'm not too sure, but i think a lot of his 2007 games were with the Casey reserves. Seems quite a long way off. Hopefully he proves me wrong.
 

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