Now that the shock and outrage concerning Ross Lyon’s defection to Fremantle has cooled, the real questions now turn towards the futures of both clubs hit by the ‘great coaching coup of 2011’.
For St Kilda, the burning question is not whether they should sign former star Robert Harvey as senior coach, but for how long and on what contract.
For Freo, it’s simply “How long till we get the premiership we just paid for?”
Make no mistake, Fremantle did not grab Ross Lyon for his marketing appeal.
Despite Lyon’s comments on Fremantle only having four top-flight players including skipper Matthew Pavlich and man mountain Aaron Sandilands, Fremantle’s list of youngsters looks like the real deal.
And Lyon looks to be the man to bring out the best in them.
The likes of Garrick Ibbotson, Anthony Morabito, Matthew De Boar, Hayden Ballantyne, Nathan Fyfe and mature aged Tendai Mzungu look like future midfield and forward stars, and as always the clubs ruck division, built around Sandilands and young and upcoming Zac Clarke, looks like its greatest strength.
The club’s older players are also at a perfect age to aid these youngsters, with only three (Pavlich, McPhee and Grover) totaling 200-plus games and seven first-choice players (Bradley, Crowley, Johnson, McPharlin, Mundy, Schammer and Sandilands) in the ideal 100 to 200-game window.
If Lyon genuinely doesn’t rate his list, the Fremantle hierarchy do, or else they wouldn’t pay so much for a coach to take this list to that last day in September.
For my mind, Freo’s list is perfectly balanced, and if they manage to settle a deal with Brisbane over 2009 all Australian ruckman/forward Mitch Clarke, and the rumours on their proposed trade for Port Adelaide bad boy/live wire forward Daniel Motlop are true (and barring any more injuries than this year, which seems statistically impossible), Fremantle are perfectly placed to charge to the top four in earnest.
Maybe there’s something in the water over in the west, because an Eagles-esque ‘revival-after-disastrous-year’ looks certain.
Across the country at St Kilda headquarters, the top Saints must be looking for some damage-control.
An aging, seemingly under-committed and distracted list at the beginning of the year, looked on the mend come finals time, but this coaching disaster has set the club – let alone the playing group – back by five years.
Now the rebuild must begin, with fresh blood and excitement, and perhaps an off-season centred around hard work and not controversy.
For the club’s PR department, a coach like Harvey could have a James Hird at Essendon like-effect, uniting fans.
But perhaps more importantly, Harvey, out of love for the club that bore him through 300-plus stellar games, will make the hard calls the club needs.
A clear out of the club’s list, aggressive trading and recruiting are what the club needs – perhaps not what anyone attached wants, but then rebuilding is never a very fan-friendly experience.
Under a familiar face, however, it may be easier for the fans and sponsors to swallow the bitter pill.
Fremantle’s move was cut-throat but brilliant, and will see them emerge as this season’s smokey for the flag.
For St Kilda, Lyon’s defection must be swiftly forgotten, and the real, hard work must now begin – and Harvey is the man to get that done, not because he’s the best coach for football, but the best coach for the Saints.
westcoaster
Guest
Sorry folks, but it's time for a reality check here. When Ross Lyon landed at The Saints he inherited an infinitely better credentialed list than the one he has now been handed at Freo - and what did he do with them? In 5 years he turned what should should have been an all-conquering powerhouse team into a pathetic disjointed losing rabble. And now he's suddenly the Dockers' Messiah!? But to paraphrase Monty Python; 'He's not the Messiah, he's just a very greedy coach'. Lyon's oft-quoted 63% winning record is a bit of a furphy really - with the team he had at his disposal for the past 5 years, it should have been up around the 75-80% mark. Ever since their inception, Freo have accepted an 'honourable loss' as part of their 'winning' culture, mainly because of their choice of coach. From the outset, they needed someone who demonstrated a strength of character, a hard edged no-nonsense coach [surely they could have learned something from West Coast?]. But no, all they have employed so far are 4 unsuccessful wimpy, negative and or 'nice guy' coaches - welcome to number 5.
Kick2Kick
Guest
The difference between WCE and Freo is that WCE has a culture of winning, while Lyon could change that he could not quiet do it with St Kilda.. Freo need to target elite fast runners and forwards both large and small. If they can get those and the ifs and buts of the players can continue to improve and the old farts can stay fit maybe they can become a top four side. In my liking way to many ifs and buts but hey we all said that about WCE making the finals this year...
mcsimmo
Roar Rookie
Fair point there's some dead wood they need to give the chop, as you say Schammer, McPhee, Crowley etc. but what about Barlow, who should be better next season and could be a star, and Fyfe, Broughton and Mundy are already showing signs as elite players, while the likes of Lower, Mzungu, Silvagni and Hill played some good games. Sandy, McPharlin, and Pav are all still top-notch players and are a good veteran presence.
Kick2Kick
Guest
Ummm think your over estimating this squad mate. Lets look at the names you named. (midfield) Garrick Ibbotson, Anthony Morabito, Matthew De Boar, Hayden Ballantyne, Nathan Fyfe and mature aged Tendai Mzungu >> De Boar is a part player (think Dempster but a worse kick), Ibbotson doesnt play midfield and him and Ballantyne, Mzungu will not improve any further along the likes of Mundy, Lower, McPharlin and Sandilands. What you see with them at the moment is what you get. Morabito is coming off a knee recon and wont be his best until at least 2013. Pavlich is old and his best input will be 30-50 goals a season as a full forward. Bradley, Crowley, McPhee, Grover and Schammer have either gone or will be lucky to be on the list as there input is dwindling at best and only Grover will be guaranteed a regular spot in 2012. If they are to become a top four side, the improvement needs to happen with Fyfe, Hill, Suban, Pitt, Broughton, Mayne and Clarke. They need a forward as Mayne is no 1st or 2nd forward target and do not be surprised if they do not get Mitch Clarke as Freo are hard to deal with and they will not touch Motlop.
mcsimmo
Roar Rookie
Good article. There's definitely a lot to like about Freo's list. Not sure if Harvey is the man for St Kilda, would prefer maybe Eade or Alan Richardson. You need someone you can trust to take them through what looms as a difficult few years ahead. Hird had Knights come before him to cop the bad seasons and bottom out.