A few years back when we had Chris Connolly as coach and the Saints had Ross Lyon,Connolly tried to make a rivalry out of contests between the two side.It should have worked,two young teams with a lot in common.The Saints at that time were the better team I think.A much more advanced side.
Now the boot is on the other foot.Is it because of Lyons coaching,or other factors.
My spin is that the Saints players who were there then have aged and are not having the same affect on games as they once had.We on the other hand have developed some new blood who have made impacts.I think we have upgraded a lot more payers than the Saints.
Now regardless of what Scotty Watters says the Saints are in rebuild mode.How long will it take him to get his side up and running properly?
The problem i see with St Kilda is they have not recruited over the years to top up the big men in there rucks and key positions.
Even when Lyon had them he recruited 2 ruckmen that had past it in Stephen King from Geelong and Michael Gardiner from the Eagles and whilst both played some good games they were only short term prospects.
They havent over the years tried to get replacements in for Reiwoldt and Koschitzkie.
Will struggle for many more years especially when Reiwoldt’s time is up.
Is Watters the guy to find those players?Can he be like Lyon has been with the Dockers and find some players.
Lyon certainly inherited the better list at Freo,St Kilda havea pretty poor list i reckon.
Hayes is injured and not getting any younger,DelSantos best is behind him,Reiwoldt is down to his last year or 2 ditto for Milne.Kosi’s not worth anything,he’s either injured or out of form when available.
They do have a few recycled players on there list that were so so at other clubs and a no better than “foot soldiers” at St Kilda.
Sadly for Watters i dont reckon they would give him that long to rebuild his list and it does need rebuilding especially(as i stated earlier) in the big man department.
I am not sure 30,I think Scotty is a very astute judge.He and his panel should know where they can find at least one good ruckman to back up McEvoy.I think he can play.
There are big men around just have to find them I think.
I would be more concerned with the likes of the players you mentioned like Hyes and Co.Most are close to their use by date.Maybe two years left in most, but even now they don’t have the affect they used to have.
Maybe a big clean out and start from scratch for Scotty.
maybe the question is why did they let lyon go? they seem unwilling to fork out cash something they might have to do and get a big name in the coaches box.i think watters will probably be shown the door soon. himself and neeld both must be skating on thin ice.
The Saints played Russian roulette with Lyon and lost for sure.
I think Watters will be given a few more years to get it right.Maybe he will get it right for someone else to come in and take the reins at the right time.