ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon has defended his side in the wake of mounting criticism over the use of sledging tactics.
Club captain Nick Riewoldt was criticised for making personal comments to Essendon’s Andrew Lovett during Friday night’s clash at Telstra Dome, with the remarks broadcast on television via an umpire's microphone.
However, Lyon brushed off suggestions that his side wasn’t playing in the spirit of the game.
“I think our group conducts themselves incredibly well and I haven’t seen too much evidence to the contrary,” Lyon told a Tuesday afternoon press conference at Linen House Oval.
“Both clubs have spoken and the player, Andrew Lovett, isn’t concerned and has moved on.
“So I’ve got no need to speak to anybody.”
The second-year coach said he was largely unconcerned by the issue, and said comments by ex-Brisbane Lions’ skipper Michael Voss – who suggested said off-field issues were no-go zone on-field – weren’t occupying his thoughts.
“I haven’t heard his direct comments so I’m reluctant to talk about it until I hear or read about it myself, but everyone’s entitled to their opinion and that’s the beauty of the game,” Lyon said.
“Michael Voss was a good captain, as was Tony Shaw, but I think they’d have distinct views (on sledging).
“But as I’ve said, let’s leave it to the system. I’m not the moral gatekeeper of AFL footy.”
The Saints have now switched their focus to a Saturday night clash with Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, a side they’ve beaten only once since 2000.
Lyon said the Power were a better side than their 1-4 record might suggest.
“No doubt they’ve played some really strong teams and lost, obviously Geelong and Sydney are going to be up there this year and they had a unique last quarter against the Brisbane Lions,” he said.
“They’re last year’s grand finalists and it’s very difficult to win at Subiaco at any time and to go over there and win is very good, so to get on the board, they’ll be feeling good.
“Mark Williams knows his group and knows the competition. And you don’t have to do much wrong to end up 0-4 in this competition and you only have to wait a couple of quarters and blink and the ledger, win-loss, doesn’t look good.”
While Port’s winning ratio isn’t so promising in 2008, the Saints hold a 3-2 record, with the opportunity to advance to 4-2 well and truly on the cards.
But Lyon sees the game more of a test about where the Saints are at, particularly in enemy territory.
“They’re up and going, but we feel it’s a really good challenge for us to challenge ourselves against one of last year’s grand finalists,” he said.
“In a sense it’s a benchmark game for us to go interstate and compete and put on a good challenge and try and get the points.”
As they have so often done in recent years, injuries have again reared their ugly head at Moorabbin, with Lyon admitting gun small forward Adam Schneider will be given another week off, despite being close to selection last week.
“He was close (last week) but he won’t play this week, originally we thought he would, but there’s been a slight hiccup and he’s been delayed a week,” Lyon said.
“When you’ve got a hamstring program and objectives to meet along the way, until you can jump the hurdle that’s in front of you, you can’t progress to the next one.
“So he’s just stalled at one hurdle and apparently he got over that yesterday.
“And we’re confident that by next week he’ll tick all those boxes and we’ll be ramping up his running, the speed and volume, so he can play AFL footy again. He’s really important for us – he was clearly playing good football.”
While the Saints have also lost Sam Gilbert and Steven King through injury, Lyon confirmed that forward Fraser Gehrig was in the mix to return as was Steven Baker – after missing seven matches through suspension.
