ST KILDA might be through to the 2008 NAB Cup Grand Final, but coach Ross Lyon says the side’s focus remains firmly on the season proper.
Lyon said the Saints will continue to manage players with the home-and-away season in mind, rather than concentrate on winning the trophy next weekend.
"There's another competitive game to get through and there will be a strong focus on that, but we've got to keep in the back of our heads – round one," he said, after the thrilling three-point semi-final win over Essendon on Friday night.
"Nobody really remembers pre-season, do they? I'm not going to keep my job winning the NAB Cup.
"Our overriding objective is to come into round one fit and healthy.
"I think we've shown that you can strike a balance … our other priority has been to work on how we play and how we want to be perceived.
"We think we've struck a nice equilibrium between managing the players and practicing a game style that we think will stand up."
Lyon admitted he was a little surprised his side will contest the decider, after having three weeks of "luck" against a trio of clubs.
"It certainly wasn't the objective [to make the final]," he said.
"We were keen to see where we were at, and I think we've had a bit of luck. For whatever reason, Richmond had a blow-out. They're clearly a better team than that.
"Geelong could have gone either way and tonight could have gone either way, so you're two kicks away from not sitting here talking to you blokes about playing next week.
"Without being facetious, you do need a bit of luck, and we got a good decision for [David] Armitage tonight. Over the course of the season, it balances out."
While Lyon said the club won't deviate from its pre-determined plan for the home-and-away season, he promised fans a solid spectacle next Saturday night.
"It's an entertainment industry and we'll come and put on a good show," he said.
"We feel we've treated the NAB Cup with respect. I don't think anyone can criticise us for the way we've gone about it.
"Clearly our players are competitive beasts and we'll come and put on a good show next week, because we're two weeks away from round one."
Lyon said the limited amount of time Nick Riewoldt and Luke Ball spent on the ground was part of their "pre-ordained" programs, and the latter is "ahead of schedule" after a managed pre-season program.
He also said injured pair Justin Koschitzke and Max Hudghton are in "strong contention" to play next weekend.
