The Early Bird

[Kildonan]

Most of us St Kilda fans were shocked when Grant Thomas was sacked.

Whether we like what eventuated or not, none of us can argue that the decision put us in a position to have the first choice of available coaching candidates.

Our much maligned president actually cited in his reasoning for the Thomas sacking that this year there would likely be several clubs turning over coaches and seeking replacements.

Giving us a new coach did put us a step backwards before we started going forwards again - by having the first new coach it has really put us in an advanced position over those clubs now turning over coaches.

Some interesting points re: selection of a coach

 

[Jesbo]

agreed, slightly off the topic and even though it hasnt been the best year, can any one else see improvements in the team now with Lyon instead of Grant. There is much more strategy in our games now. Thomas relied on the tallent alone and often got outcoached. Lyon has got the guys doing more disiplinned things such as about 10 players standing on the 50m line. When u see Gram or S Fish get the ball down back you can see every1 running into position and you can tell most are all set plays... I couldn't see this with Grant they mave have been there but not as obvious. Lyon is handling himself real well with the media so far aswell i had thought.

 

[Persevering Saint]

GT himself, in his Age column, stated that Lyon's tactical nous won us a game a few weeks ago. Robert Walls in an article today said (and I think he's right) that many of our players were "downhill skiers" - quick to charge up the ground on the run for a goal, but slow to run back if there was a turnover and more accountable football was needed. The accountability factor has become much greater. I have to admit, this surprises me, because Thomas was always so big on building leadership, and you'd think accountability and leadership would go together. I think the other real benefit we've had is a more serious use of rookies. This has added serious depth to our team - when Clinton Jones can't seem to break back into the team, you know that there is impressive depth. I suspect we wouldn't even have seen Jones play this year under GT.

Having said all that, who knows? If GT had been coaching this year, the boys might not have got spooked for a month, and we'd be 10-6. I still think GT would have been doing a great job, just with different strengths and weaknesses.