ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon hopes a couple of old names canhelp provide a new impetus for his side as the Saints try to reverse theirfortunes in 2008.

TheSaints, who finished ninth last year and well below the lofty expectations ofmany football observers, will be hoping to launch themselves up the AFL ladder.

Alarge part of St Kilda’s anticipated rise will rest on the shoulders of itsnew-found ruck strength.

Anarea of concern in recent years, largely because of injuries to key big men,the Saints’ ruckmen look to be in good working order heading into the 2008 homeand away season.

Theywere on display on Monday when the Saints tackled a 3.2km time-trial aroundPrinces Park, followed by a brief skills session.

MichaelRix, Justin Koschitzke and Jason Blake are likely to enjoy far more help from afit Michael Gardiner, while former Cat Steven King has also traded in the blueand white for the red, white and black.

Lyonknows the importance of having a formidable on-ball brigade.

“It’san opinion business and everyone has different thoughts on it, but if you lookat the premiers over [recent years] … West Coast, Sydney, Port, Brisbane, theyall had two ruckmen with 200-plus hit-outs,” Lyon said.

“Imean you can get by, but you know if it’s an area that you’re strong in, itdefinitely helps you.

“Fortyper cent of goals are scored from stoppages, so you know if you can be competitivethere, it gives you a chance.”

Lyonexpects far greater output from former Eagle Gardiner, who has been hampered byinjury since joining the Saints.

“MichaelGardiner said before Christmas it’s the best he’s felt in four years,” thesecond-year coach said.

“Hehad the early operation and it’s sort of starting to pay dividends now andlook, there’s a bit of water to flow under the bridge, but we’re reallypositive about his prospects for ’08.”

Lyonsaid King, who showed late in 2007 that he was still capable of playing goodfootball, was “going really well”.

“He’sobviously come off a wonderful year for him and Geelong, but now he’s at StKilda and he feels he has a point to prove,” Lyon continued.

“Physically,last year he got over all of his niggles and played good football and earnedhis spot and that’s what he’s trying to do here and we’re pretty confident thathe’ll have a good year.”

Lyonsaid the Saints – including spearhead Fraser Gehrig – had come back in goodshape, with players’ times and skinfolds down on previous years.

VeteranSaint Robert Harvey continues to be among the best-performed runners on thetrack for the umpteenth year, which came as no surprise to the coach.

“Hewas in the top three or four … it’s really pleasing,” Lyon said.

“He’sgone on, there’s no doubt he’ll have a really good year.”

RookieRobert Eddy was fastest around the circuit.

MattMcGuire, recovering from a stress fracture to a foot, is out of his moon-bootwhile Jayden Attard (knee reconstruction) are the only longer-term injuryconcerns for St Kilda.