Despite the cold weather in Melbourne today, Ross Lyon said the Saints boys are warming up to the challenge of a second trip to Perth in only a few weeks to face Fremantle in Round 12 this weekend.
“We feel like we are improving and it is just another challenge along the way that we can throw everything at before the (mid season) break.”
“Subiaco hasn’t been too bad of a venue for us recently as we’ve won three out of our last four matches there. If you want to be a good side, you need to win interstate, so it’s just another challenge for us.”
As the surprise package of 2010 so far, Fremantle are sitting just behind St Kilda at fourth on the AFL ladder and will want to cement their place at the top at the half way mark in the season.
“Certainly they’ve been consistent in their form, they are a much improved side and it’s going to be incredibly difficult going over to Subiaco and trying to bang four points.”
Sticking with the successful tall set-up of the last few weeks, Lyon does not envisage any major changes to the team who will fly to Perth on Friday, except for the possible return of Zac Dawson who was out of Round 11 with an ankle sprain.
“I think two tall forwards and a couple of ruckman has been a good model for us and I can’t see us diverging from that too much.”
“Zac Dawson should train tonight and later in the week, and we’ll go from there.”
This weekend’s game will mark a significant milestone for one of the Saints best small forwards, Stephen Milne, who will run onto the ground for his 200th AFL game; all of which have been played at the Saints.
Speaking of Milne, Lyon said; “It’s a pretty special effort to play 200 games, especially as a small forward. He certainly sits up with some of the best small forwards ever in the game.”
“I think the thing about him is the way he is getting his goals. He is leading, crumbing and applying pressure - a real team player. He is a great leader of our forward line and has stood up when we’ve needed him.”
“He’s got a wonderful family, wife and kids, and it is fantastic that they will be over there for the day.”
Ex-Fremantle player, Brett Peake, has had a few games in the VFL in his first season at the Club, but Lyon feels he is becoming more accustomed to the way the Saints play footy and is finding his place within the side.
“We mostly use (Peake) through the midfield, but we know he can kick some goals as a forward. He is certainly starting to come to grips with what we want within the team structure.”
“I think he is improving almost on a weekly basis, and since we’ve already played Fremantle this year I don’t see this game being any different for him.”
But Lyon did not shy away from the fact that to win this game he is going to require full effort from all the players in the side.
“Winning this game is going to take 22 contributors; it’s not going to be about (Lenny) Hayes or (Brendon) Goddard, it’s going to be about the 22 players taking the field who all need to carry their weight.”
“When you go interstate you can’t have any passengers.”
Stay tuned to Saints TV on Friday for an exclusive interview with Stephen Milne before he plays his 200th AFL game this weekend.
