St Kilda are top of the table after three rounds, with new coach Ross Lyon’s defensive “mantra” getting the plaudits for their unbeaten start.
Fox Footy’s Nathan Buckley admits he’s been impressed with the style Lyon has implemented after tipping the Saints to finish “bottom four”.
“I had them bottom four. I thought they had so many holes they’d struggle to fill but they’ve got young guys that have come up and stepped up to play important roles, which is a mantra of Ross Lyon,” he said On the Couch.
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“He just gets players to play roles for the team and lift their standards above what you think they’re capable of.”
Statistics show the Saints are currently ranked first in ball movement, first in boundary use from defensive 50, third in uncontested marks and seventh in kick forward percentage.
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In contrast to the last-placed Geelong, the Saints are ranked 17th in kick long percentage – compared to the Cats at first.
Buckley said Lyon’s decision to turn away from the corridor and cling to the boundary was working for his line up missing a number of stars including Max King and Tim Membrey up forward.
“St Kilda have been number one at going wide and it just means you can defend the turnover and they’re 18th going through the middle,” he said.
“Any corridor turnover, you’re open to be attacked upon and scored back on. St Kilda just will not give the opposition the opportunity to do that.
“Under Ross Lyon, they’re defending really well but their ball use they’re happy to go-forward but if it doesn’t connect, at least they’re happy to defend that position.
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“Their defensive profile has been awesome. They’re still the best team on turnovers in the first three rounds but they’re adding this offensive element to their ball movement.”
Former Saint Nick Dal Santo was also full of praise for what Lyon has brought to the club, after their dismal end to season 2022.
“The easy answer (for the form) is a new coach and a tweak to their game style and it’s been spoken a lot about, the team defence and structure about that team defence,” he said on AFL Tonight.
“But also the way they are now moving the football, which is completely different to what we’ve seen in previous years and a bit more flow and to go forward.
“These players are buying into the game plan and they are investing everything into their performances for the first three weeks and it’s been exceptional.
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“Brad Hill and the way he’s playing his football at the moment, he’s always been a running beast and he’s just one example of many about his defensive pressure and his willingness to chase and tackle when it’s his turn.
“And I just think when it all comes together and they’re all playing with intensity and passion and the game looks fun, they’re getting some really good results as it currently stands.”
