Preview Round 19, 2023: St.Kilda v North Melbourne - Marvel Stadium, Sunday 23rd July, 4:40PM AEST

[Cairnsman]

Yep spot on. Someone will say “we have to stay competitive” then we’ll sign Jonas and Tomlinson and the other Crouch and some s**t 30 year old ruck.

To be fair to those at poor clubs like ours who are tasked with building a list capable of sustainable success and winning silverware, it is the hardest task in Australian elite sport.

Lyon will experience exactly the same massive challenges the same as all before him and so I find it hard not to be cynical about how spectacularly his second crack at the Saints could end. The structure above Lyon is a house of cards created with a Captains pick by Basset which was his Hail Mary forced out of desperation to protect himself after his famous letter promising a premiership window.

Sorry stav#4….not how successful Fortune 500 organisations are run.

Good coach…suspect structure

 

[gringo2011]

Dolomites in Italy is the go

Been there in summer but not winter. Tyrols are beautiful too.

 

[gringo2011]

Agree

The problem we have is that Crouch (a lock), Steele, Ross and Bytel all lack explosive leg speed. You could probably play 2 inside mids as long as someone else is capable of a burst from stoppage. Jones is the best we have at but his disposal is so so.

Doubt Pou is the answer as he isn’t quick nor Owens (but he could develop into an elite bull in there - Petracca like?)

Reckon Steele could play forward as his kicking for goal is good but doubt he would like the shift!

You don't need to have speed but it's handy. There are plenty of sides that carry a few plodding inside ball winners who get it to the outside by winning contested ball. Libba is a gun at winning his own ball, so is McRae, so is Smith, so is Bont.

We have guys that can run and spread but aren't elite ball winners so are a bit of a different skillset. Richmond had a strange set up with Cotchin and Edwards a bit like our guys and then really only Prestia as that grunt ball pig.

To me a really gun inside ball winner could change our set ups bit. Hunter Clark seems to be too plodding but a bit better at winning his own ball. We really need him to be an absolute beast inside to cover for his lack of run.

 

[Dard Ball Get]

Letters to The Age today ..........

When silence is golden​

Re Nick Riewoldt’s comments about St Kilda, his old club – “the standards in that joint over the last however long have been sub-par” (Sport, 20/7) – are totally inappropriate for a former captain. Past players should not be harshly critical of the hand that fed them. I wonder how Riewoldt would have felt if past St Kilda players were rightfully critical of him after his ordinary performance as captain in St Kilda’s grand final losses.

- Stephen Rae, former Richmond and St Kilda player, Portland

 

[Sun Ra]

View attachment 1747702

 

[Diehard Saint]

OPINION​

Why there is tension at the top at Moorabbin, as Saints’ season teeters​

Caroline Wilson​

Football columnist for The Age
July 22, 2023 — 5.00am

North Melbourne made some poor decisions during Ben Buckley’s five-year reign as president but parting ways with Carl Dilena at the end of a messy 2019 season stands out as among the most inexplicable.

Appointed as chief executive by Buckley’s predecessor James Brayshaw seven years earlier after then-Geelong CEO Brian Cook was courted but ultimately declined the role, Dilena had been a Kangaroos board member for more than a decade who saw an opportunity and departed his senior partnership at KPMG to move full-time into football.

During his regime, North Melbourne eradicated its hefty long-term debt, which had almost brought the club to its knees, signed a lucrative deal with the Tasmanian Government-owned TT-Line to play home games in Hobart, and won the right to field a foundation AFLW team – appointing the highly regarded Laura Kane to oversee the debutantes. Significantly, too, Dilena invested extra funding into a football department that had been operating lean. During his seven years at the helm and with Brad Scott as coach, North made the finals three times for two top four finishes.

Former North Melbourne CEO Carl Dilena is now at St Kilda.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

Since his exit the Kangaroos have finished 17th once and 18th twice and look headed for their fourth consecutive bottom two season.
Dilena seemingly paid the price for his handling of Scott’s difficult final 18 months. After Scott’s controversial departure early in the 2019 season, club director and Shinboner of the Century Glenn Archer had a major say in a series of key football decisions and the collective view was that Dilena had not been adequately robust. Suffice to say those who oversaw his exit also oversaw the start of a much bigger shambles.

His replacement Ben Amarfio resigned after three years. Since Scott, five different senior coaches have mentored the struggling team and the challenge of rebuilding the Kangaroos has been taken up by Sonja Hood, Jen Watt and a still fragile Alastair Clarkson.
Dilena returned to the AFL community late last year when new St Kilda boss Simon Lethlean brought him in as his second-in-command at the Saints. Interestingly, Dilena narrowly missed out on the top administrative job at Essendon, despite some strong industry recommendations and being heavily backed by new coach Scott. President David Barham selected Craig Vozzo instead.

Now Dilena has emerged as an intriguing player in the administrative puzzle spreading from head office to a handful of AFL clubs. Hawthorn is actively seeking a new chief executive to replace Justin Reeves and at least one other club should soon be in a similar position, given Andrew Dillon’s belief that his new executive requires a senior operator with club experience.

Even if Brendon Gale does not leave Richmond to join Dillon at the AFL, there are a number of other CEOs in that queue, while Brian Cook made it clear his time at Carlton would probably be limited to the term of his three-year contract which ends next year.

But the most intriguing remains the current scenario at Moorabbin, where Ross Lyon has brought in his own team and taken over the football operation while voicing increasing frustration with the football situation he inherited.

Now Dilena has emerged as an intriguing player in the administrative puzzle spreading from head office to a handful of AFL clubs. Hawthorn is actively seeking a new chief executive to replace Justin Reeves and at least one other club should soon be in a similar position, given Andrew Dillon’s belief that his new executive requires a senior operator with club experience.

Even if Brendon Gale does not leave Richmond to join Dillon at the AFL, there are a number of other CEOs in that queue, while Brian Cook made it clear his time at Carlton would probably be limited to the term of his three-year contract which ends next year.

But the most intriguing remains the current scenario at Moorabbin, where Ross Lyon has brought in his own team and taken over the football operation while voicing increasing frustration with the football situation he inherited.

There are murmurs of friction between St Kilda coach Ross Lyon and CEO Simon Lethlean, pictured here alongside president Andrew Bassat.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

Despite denials from both men it is clear that the relationship between the new senior coach and his CEO Simon Lethlean is not working as well as it should be. Significantly Lethlean – before being promoted to the top job – ran the football department which was significantly pruned and reshuffled, first by the new incumbent Geoff Walsh and further by Lyon after Walsh quit.

The Lyon-Lethlean situation needs to be resolved and president Andrew Bassat – who flexed his muscle for the first time last year in standing up to the football department over the pursuit of Jordan De Goey and by bringing in Lyon to replace Brett Ratten – must play the pivotal role. The Saints have endured too much pain for too long to leave disharmony between its two key people unattended.

Although Lethlean has been adamant that he has moved on from the football role, Lyon’s preference is for a CEO who allows the football operation to run largely independently. Asked about murmurs of friction between the pair, Lyon told a press conference this week: “There’s been some change and with change, I wouldn’t say there’s unhappiness, but sometimes not everyone’s comfortable with change.

“But from my end and Simon’s end, we’re fine... I haven’t had one raised word with Simon since I’ve been here. That’s the truth.”

Lyon’s frustrations as the Saints have struggled on the field after a bright start to 2023 seems matched by the deficiencies in the list he inherited, and which he has now charged list manager Stephen Silvgani and talent boss Graeme Allan with rebuilding.

Lethlean has played down interest in the Hawthorn job, where he has significant connections, but he has been sounded out for the role.

At a time when the industry is bemoaning the lack of next-generation administrative talent it would be extraordinary if the Hawks had not approached Dilena – who carries a reputation of having a hands-off approach to his senior coach and empowering his staff.

The company line is that Dilena – Ross Lyon’s teammate for two years at Fitzroy – is relishing his return to football and happy in his current role as St Kilda’s COO. But should Lethlean move, Moorabbin has the ideal replacement waiting in the wings.

​

Good article.
I’d be pretty sure she’s on the money - she usually is.
Bye, Lethers…..

 

[Diehard Saint]

To be fair to Lethers, he's had a decent crack at it and no-one would begrudge him if he toddled off to Hawthorn.

On the contrary, many would celebrate.
I was never keen on being forced to take on the AFLs dumped child, with no knowledge of clubland at all.
Dont know much about him except what I’ve read here, but sounds like Dilena would be huge upgrade.

 

[gringo2011]

What era was he? Looks like 1960s. He must be 100 years old by now.

 

[The Cobra]

What era was he? Looks like 1960s. He must be 100 years old by now.

Unfortunately I can remember - Jeans era - sort of clever half forward but not quick - had bad knees which in those days meant it was pretty much all over.

 

[Dard Ball Get]

Horrible kicking style. Literally everything wrong mechanically.

Read “he wanted to follow his friend Ian Stewart to Richmond” lol, became an umpire lol, tunes pianos lol.

 

[Bertha]

Good article.
I’d be pretty sure she’s on the money - she usually is.
Bye, Lethers…..

At least we have a backup in Dilner?

 

[Diehard Saint]

At least we have a backup in Dilner?

By all accounts, a highly capable and very good one.

 

[The Cobra]

On the contrary, many would celebrate.
I was never keen on being forced to take on the AFLs dumped child, with no knowledge of clubland at all.
Dont know much about him except what I’ve read here, but sounds like Dilena would be huge upgrade.

By the looks of it we certainly wouldn’t be going backwards with Dilena & yes may well be a nice upgrade as he is well qualified, experienced and now familiar with the Club’s strengths & weaknesses. No tears if Lethers decides to move on as we have a ready made replacement.

Too be honest I would be more worried if Dilena left as it gives Lethers more bargaining power!

 

[Tommy Wigs]

21C and sunny here today on Sunshine Coast. So even. a loss or bad win it will still be glorious here.

You *******+ {%#^} ***

 

[Tommy Wigs]

OPINION​

Why there is tension at the top at Moorabbin, as Saints’ season teeters​

Caroline Wilson​

Football columnist for The Age
July 22, 2023 — 5.00am

North Melbourne made some poor decisions during Ben Buckley’s five-year reign as president but parting ways with Carl Dilena at the end of a messy 2019 season stands out as among the most inexplicable.

Appointed as chief executive by Buckley’s predecessor James Brayshaw seven years earlier after then-Geelong CEO Brian Cook was courted but ultimately declined the role, Dilena had been a Kangaroos board member for more than a decade who saw an opportunity and departed his senior partnership at KPMG to move full-time into football.

During his regime, North Melbourne eradicated its hefty long-term debt, which had almost brought the club to its knees, signed a lucrative deal with the Tasmanian Government-owned TT-Line to play home games in Hobart, and won the right to field a foundation AFLW team – appointing the highly regarded Laura Kane to oversee the debutantes. Significantly, too, Dilena invested extra funding into a football department that had been operating lean. During his seven years at the helm and with Brad Scott as coach, North made the finals three times for two top four finishes.

Former North Melbourne CEO Carl Dilena is now at St Kilda.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

Since his exit the Kangaroos have finished 17th once and 18th twice and look headed for their fourth consecutive bottom two season.
Dilena seemingly paid the price for his handling of Scott’s difficult final 18 months. After Scott’s controversial departure early in the 2019 season, club director and Shinboner of the Century Glenn Archer had a major say in a series of key football decisions and the collective view was that Dilena had not been adequately robust. Suffice to say those who oversaw his exit also oversaw the start of a much bigger shambles.

His replacement Ben Amarfio resigned after three years. Since Scott, five different senior coaches have mentored the struggling team and the challenge of rebuilding the Kangaroos has been taken up by Sonja Hood, Jen Watt and a still fragile Alastair Clarkson.
Dilena returned to the AFL community late last year when new St Kilda boss Simon Lethlean brought him in as his second-in-command at the Saints. Interestingly, Dilena narrowly missed out on the top administrative job at Essendon, despite some strong industry recommendations and being heavily backed by new coach Scott. President David Barham selected Craig Vozzo instead.

Now Dilena has emerged as an intriguing player in the administrative puzzle spreading from head office to a handful of AFL clubs. Hawthorn is actively seeking a new chief executive to replace Justin Reeves and at least one other club should soon be in a similar position, given Andrew Dillon’s belief that his new executive requires a senior operator with club experience.

Even if Brendon Gale does not leave Richmond to join Dillon at the AFL, there are a number of other CEOs in that queue, while Brian Cook made it clear his time at Carlton would probably be limited to the term of his three-year contract which ends next year.

But the most intriguing remains the current scenario at Moorabbin, where Ross Lyon has brought in his own team and taken over the football operation while voicing increasing frustration with the football situation he inherited.

Now Dilena has emerged as an intriguing player in the administrative puzzle spreading from head office to a handful of AFL clubs. Hawthorn is actively seeking a new chief executive to replace Justin Reeves and at least one other club should soon be in a similar position, given Andrew Dillon’s belief that his new executive requires a senior operator with club experience.

Even if Brendon Gale does not leave Richmond to join Dillon at the AFL, there are a number of other CEOs in that queue, while Brian Cook made it clear his time at Carlton would probably be limited to the term of his three-year contract which ends next year.

But the most intriguing remains the current scenario at Moorabbin, where Ross Lyon has brought in his own team and taken over the football operation while voicing increasing frustration with the football situation he inherited.

There are murmurs of friction between St Kilda coach Ross Lyon and CEO Simon Lethlean, pictured here alongside president Andrew Bassat.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

Despite denials from both men it is clear that the relationship between the new senior coach and his CEO Simon Lethlean is not working as well as it should be. Significantly Lethlean – before being promoted to the top job – ran the football department which was significantly pruned and reshuffled, first by the new incumbent Geoff Walsh and further by Lyon after Walsh quit.

The Lyon-Lethlean situation needs to be resolved and president Andrew Bassat – who flexed his muscle for the first time last year in standing up to the football department over the pursuit of Jordan De Goey and by bringing in Lyon to replace Brett Ratten – must play the pivotal role. The Saints have endured too much pain for too long to leave disharmony between its two key people unattended.

Although Lethlean has been adamant that he has moved on from the football role, Lyon’s preference is for a CEO who allows the football operation to run largely independently. Asked about murmurs of friction between the pair, Lyon told a press conference this week: “There’s been some change and with change, I wouldn’t say there’s unhappiness, but sometimes not everyone’s comfortable with change.

“But from my end and Simon’s end, we’re fine... I haven’t had one raised word with Simon since I’ve been here. That’s the truth.”

Lyon’s frustrations as the Saints have struggled on the field after a bright start to 2023 seems matched by the deficiencies in the list he inherited, and which he has now charged list manager Stephen Silvgani and talent boss Graeme Allan with rebuilding.

Lethlean has played down interest in the Hawthorn job, where he has significant connections, but he has been sounded out for the role.

At a time when the industry is bemoaning the lack of next-generation administrative talent it would be extraordinary if the Hawks had not approached Dilena – who carries a reputation of having a hands-off approach to his senior coach and empowering his staff.

The company line is that Dilena – Ross Lyon’s teammate for two years at Fitzroy – is relishing his return to football and happy in his current role as St Kilda’s COO. But should Lethlean move, Moorabbin has the ideal replacement waiting in the wings.

​

Wait - Bassatt pulled the plug on JDG? Or just challenged decision making? First we have heard of this?

 

[Tommy Wigs]

Total Flanker alright

 

[Tommy Wigs]

Horrible kicking style. Literally everything wrong mechanically.

Read “he wanted to follow his friend Ian Stewart to Richmond” lol, became an umpire lol, tunes pianos lol.

Tunes pianos? That’s a euphemism for what exactly?

 

[Joffaboy]

Wait - Bassatt pulled the plug on JDG? Or just challenged decision making? First we have heard of this?

No, told Lethlean to do a cost benefit analysis before coming back to the board.
Once he did they approved the trade.

On SM-S908E using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

Wait - Bassatt pulled the plug on JDG? Or just challenged decision making? First we have heard of this?

I think he told the football department to do due diligence from memory

 

[Sun Ra]

Tunes pianos? That’s a euphemism for what exactly?

He actually for real is a piano tuner.

 

[Tommy Wigs]

He actually for real is a piano tuner.

It was a joke

 

[EddieMurphy]

Carlton doing to WCE what we should have, but couldn't because "the Eagles players didn't let us"...

 

[Tommy Wigs]

Any word on why Jack Hayes is not playing for Sandy tomorrow? Hopefully just resting before punching the suitcase out of Sicily next week.

 

[Diehard Saint]

Carlton doing to WCE what we should have, but couldn't because "the Eagles players didn't let us"...

Eagles are a shocking side and worse away from home.

Our game against them was the perfect storm - a team struggling to get back to earlier form against a team thrashed from pillar to post in the media after a record- breaking thrashing, playing back at home.

Was never going to end well.

 

[EddieMurphy]

Any word on why Jack Hayes is not playing for Sandy tomorrow? Hopefully just resting before punching the suitcase out of Sicily next week.

General soreness I heard.