St Kilda’s 3-0 AFL begin is uplifting, surprising and much-lauded, however to teach Ross Lyon it means nothing.
The Saints are half a recreation clear on the prime of the ladder heading into Saturday evening’s conflict with Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium.
For all his group’s enchancment and talent to cowl a rugged harm toll to date, Lyon is paying little heed to the plaudits.
He notes Geelong had been 5-4 a yr in the past earlier than occurring the 16-game run that took them to the premiership.
“My take is there’s a lot of noise and that’s positive – so that’s nice,” Lyon stated.
“We’re writing our own story. It’s positive because of the significant injuries we’ve had … that’s been the difference.
“That’s why it has been recognised, in any other case it is simply three wins.
“Me – how I think about it? – it really means nothing. It’s three.”
Lyon is also impressed by the Suns, who pushed Essendon earlier than final weekend’s massive upset win over the Cats.
“(Matt) Rowell is up and going, Touk Miller has been one of their champions for a long time and their captain (Jarrod) Witts leads them really well.
“Lachie Weller had a BOG … (Jack) Lukosius, he is a precocious expertise, is not he. (Ben) King’s again – so numerous threats.
“Our best, we’ll be in the game. It’s going to be an exciting Saturday night game – if anyone had said start of the year, St Kilda-Gold Coast?
“They’re excessive, high-end expertise. If you allow them to roll, they’re going to come up with you. It’s not simply tokenism. They’re up and about.”
The question for the Saints is how long they can keep enduring their brutal run with injuries before their players start returning, or it cracks them.
Jimmy Webster is the latest victim with a fractured cheekbone, while in-form utility Mason Wood was named despite the shoulder injury he suffered in the win over Essendon.
Typical of Lyon’s coaching, they will meet the Suns’ talent with honest, get-your-hands-dirty toil.
“I do not assume we’re going on the market to blow ’em away. We’re going out to work exhausting and compete,” he stated.
“A brand new system, new coaches, now we have some good traction early, however I’m nonetheless discovering rather a lot in regards to the group, they’re nonetheless rising.
“We’ve had challenges, we’ve made the most of what’s been put in front of us, but gee whiz – I’m certainly not ahead of myself.”
HOW THE PREMIERS HAVE STARTED
2018: West Coast – misplaced spherical one, received the subsequent 10
2019: Richmond – 1-2
2020: Richmond – 1-1-1
2021: Melbourne – 9-0
2022: Geelong: 2-1
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
