Get ready to rumble, Saints: Richo uses Ali for inspiration

MOORABBIN is a long way from Kinshasa.

As a bruised St Kilda outfit convened in the club's new state-of-the-art auditorium for pre-season in November, coach Alan Richardson turned to the video tape.

Many of the players would've heard of the 1974 'Rumble in the Jungle' staged in Zaire, but for those watching for the first time, this was not just a sporting spectacle.

With two months to stew on a four-win season, Richardson had no choice but to initiate change.

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Change to the playing list. Change to the game plan. Change to players' mentality.

Watching on as Muhammad Ali appeared lost against George Foreman, players were asked to observe Ali's character as his first plan of throwing right hooks had little impact against his bigger opponent.

Shifting his approach mid-fight and employing the 'rope-a-dope' – sitting back and allowing Foreman to fatigue – Ali would turn the tables to claim one of the world's most-renowned boxing bouts.

"It was all about implementing change," Richardson told AFL.com.au on Wednesday as part of a day of exclusive access inside Saints headquarters.

"Too often we continued to do what wasn't working (in 2018) and we need to increase our smarts of the game."

Alan Richardson speaks to his players in the auditorium. Picture: AFL Photos

It laid the foundations for a summer of intensity.

After a heavy block of training prior to Christmas, a large emphasis was placed on how the players spent their three-week break.

Skipper Jarryn Geary challenged his teammates, while other leaders including recruit Dan Hannebery insisted the leave period was one where they could make up ground on the rest of the competition.

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"You can't build belief in anyone unless they feel like they've done the work," Richardson said.

"This has been tough, it's been a tough campaign and we've asked a lot of the boys. Whether it's been physical sessions offsite or running like they've never run before."

"The only thing the players can control when they're on break is their condition. For the boys to come back in such strong shape, the times they ran reflect that, shows to me we have a group that's been motivated by something.

"I think there is a real sense of 'We've got to do something about what happened last year'.

"The leaders really drove that and connected often over the break, without interfering, to make sure their teammates were on the job, sharp and ready to go when they got back."

A large majority of the list returned to personal bests in the 3km time trial which has allowed the new coaching panel to get to work on training match specifics.

The Saints admit their ball use was too quick at times in 2018, with a heavy focus centred on having more balance to their play this pre-season.

Former Carlton coach and Hawthorn assistant Brett Ratten has arrived in charge of offence, and along with Henry Playfair (defence) and Brendon Lade (midfield), is given one day a week to take charge of the group.

Brett Ratten has made a strong impression at the Saints. Picture: AFL Photos

It has allowed Richardson to step back and observe more of this pre-season than any of his previous five at the helm.

"It's probably evolved over time," Richardson said of his delegation.

"When you come in as senior coach, you probably spend more time ensuring the players know exactly what you want.

"I think it's really important that assistant coaches play a big role and they're (players) not getting it from me all the time.

"At this stage your role is really in the design of what you're going to do, sit back, observe, support and focus on the overall synergy of the group."

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Entering a season of intense scrutiny on his position as Saints boss – with two years to run on a contract – Richardson travelled to Columbia University in New York in November.

It was his second overseas leadership course after attending Harvard in late 2015 and opened his eyes to different leadership methods from a number of industries across the globe.

"I thought it was really good timing, we didn't have a good year, so I take responsibility for that," Richardson said.

"It gives you the opportunity to completely and utterly shut out everything else and get away."

Alan Richardson lays down the law at RSEA Park. Picture: AFL Photos

Backed in by management after an extensive review of the football department at the end of 2018, Richardson has beefed up support around him this pre-season.

He has turned to Gary Wyse, an expert in communication from Canberra who spends one day a week critiquing Richardson's messaging to players.

Sourced by director of coaching Danny Sexton, Wyse sat in on Wednesday morning's players meeting before one-on-one time with Richardson in his office.

Another fresh resource is the nous of long-serving administrator Graeme 'Gubby' Allan, who has joined the Saints as a football department consultant.

After off-field stints at North Melbourne, Collingwood, Greater Western Sydney and Brisbane, Allan reunites with Richardson after 30 years.

"He was my footy manager when I played (at Collingwood) so we're really comfortable with each other," Richardson said.

"Because he's been from outside coming in, I've found it really beneficial to listen to his views on what we’re doing.

"We used to laugh as players at Victoria Park when Gubby and Leigh (coach Leigh Matthews) would be walking laps.

"My ex-teammates would wet themselves if they came along because now it's Gubby and I walking laps having a chat about what's going on."