St Kilda edging closer to top form - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

St Kilda edging closer to top form

Justin Chadwick 29/05/2011 11:19:00 AM Comments (0)

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon believes his team are still yet to fully regain their mojo from last season despite Saturday's morale-boosting 46-point AFL win over Fremantle at Patersons Stadium.

The Saints were back to their disciplined best in the thumping 15.12 (102) to 7.14 (56) victory, but their new-found zest will be put to the test in Saturday night's grand final re-match against Collingwood at the MCG.

St Kilda will be sweating on the availability of Brendon Goddard (neck), Sean Dempster (concussion), Jason Blake (knee) and Tom Lynch (dislocated finger), while Brett Peake faces a nervous wait after being reported for striking Dylan Roberton.

Lyon said his team must quickly refocus ahead of a crucial match against the Magpies, who thrashed St Kilda by 56 points in last year's grand final replay.

"What we did (against the Dockers) counts for absolutely nothing except you get confidence from actions and we delivered good actions and we'll take some confidence out of that," Lyon said.

"In my view it's another step forward, another small step along the path of improvement and we've still got plenty of improvement.

"Obviously we play the reigning premier and the most dominant team in the competition next week ... and clearly it will give us another measure.

"It was a win full of merit (against the Dockers) but delivered with some youth, some enthusiasm and great leadership from our experienced core and we walk away knowing we've improved a little but we've got a long way to go, so that's where I sit.

"The harsh reality is we're going to play the best team in the competition, as it's them and Geelong as it sits at the minute, so that's the harsh reality."

Goddard and Dempster, who were both taken to hospital after copping heavy knocks to the head during the game, were cleared of any serious damage and flew back with the team on Saturday night.

The duo will be monitored during the week but face a race against time to prove their fitness in time for the Magpies clash.

Lyon tried his best to play down the stature of the upcoming clash with Colllingwood.

"It's pretty hard to build up second versus 14th at the minute to be honest, but if people choose to do that they're entitled to do that," Lyon said.

"... Simply it hasn't got the gloss that it may have had if we were sitting in the top four."

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