After this morning’s NAB AFL Rookie Draft, St Kilda Senior Coach Ross Lyon has spoken to saints.com.au about the four players selected by the Club.

Continuing the overall strategy from the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, Lyon and the St Kilda recruiting department focused on midfielders, who they hope will add further speed and skill to the current group of players.

“First pick was Tom Curren (number 24) from the Dandenog Stingrays, who we had also looked at for the National Draft” Lyon said. “He’s 178cms, has strong endurance and makes really good decisions.”

“I just spoke to him then over the phone and he’s very excited. He lives down near the new Linen House Centre at Frankston as well, so that is going to be really handy for him when we start to train there early next year.“

On second round selection, Warrick Andreoli from South Fremantle, Lyon said; “We watched him in the Championships, he is a winger with smart use of the ball.”

“Why wasn’t he drafted in the Nation Draft? He probably needs to work a bit on his speed and endurance, but at 6 foot he’ll continue the theme of another skilled midfielder for us.”

On the selection of Rob Eddy at pick number 57, who was delisted by the Club at the end of the 2010 season, Lyon explained “Certainly at the time it was a really tough decision to de-list Robert, but we wanted to open up some spots on our list.”

“His great strength is to run and work. We really know what Robert is capable of and we’ve outlined to him strongly what he needs to improve on, which includes skills and decision making.”

“He competes really well and his defence is good, but if he can work on his offence he has a bit to offer us. He certainly helps contribute to the team dynamics and spirit around the place.”

A product of the Club’s NSW Scholarship Program, Jackson Ferguson was selected in round four as the Club’s final pick off 72.

According to Lyon; “Jackson Ferguson has been on the NSW Rookie program. He came down and trained with us last year and really impressed us with his athleticism.”

“I’ve had a little bit to do with him since he’s been here, he’s a really determined and level headed kid. He’s tall, athletic and plays in defence so it is exciting to have him with the group.”