Judd giving Lyon a headache - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Judd giving Lyon a headache

Roger Vaughan 05/05/2011 06:48:20 PM Comments (0)

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says he has the sniffles this week - maybe the diagnosis should be Chris Judd-itis.

Lyon is again in awe of the Carlton captain ahead of their AFL clash on Monday at Etihad Stadium.

"It's quite simple - my biggest headache is Chris Judd and our biggest challenge is trying to get a win," Lyon said.

"We want to play some good football and improve our football."

As Lyon tries to overcome his mild lurgy, the video review of Carlton's win over Sydney last weekend would not have been the best thing for his health.

"Carlton are flying - Chris Judd, that was one of the best individual halves or quarters of football I've ever seen, 25 contested possessions," Lyon said of Judd's starring performance against the Swans.

"I remember the days when I was a midfield coach at the Swans, playing Judd (at West Coast) in those `05-06 years, he used to get his 12-14 contested balls and we thought 'gee, that's astonishing'.

"But now he's delivering 25, so as an individual playing (in the) midfield, he's amazing.

"We'll try to win the ball and tackle him and work off him at the right time."

The win over Sydney took Carlton to third on the ladder with four wins and a draw, while the Saints only have a win and a draw.

Lyon has seen some encouraging signs from his team over the last two games, but said they must start playing with more consistency.

He wants the grand finalists of the last two years to start playing more like Carlton.

"They're a top-four team, they're virtually grand final talent, grand final systems and they're where we want to be," he said.

"He (Judd) is a special player, but in saying that, why are Carlton much improved? Because they're playing with great endeavour and hardness and system.

"They're a young, hungry group and they'll see us as an opportunity to further grow that momentum.

"Yeah, it's a big challenge - but for us, we understand every game of AFL is a challenge."

Justin Koschitzke (ankle) was named in the squad for Monday's game, but Farren Ray (illness) remains sidelined.

In round seven last year, Carlton split St Kilda open with their pace and hammered them by 61 points.

It proved a turning point in St Kilda's season and they went on to win seven of their next eight matches.

The Saints lost full-back Zac Dawson to suspension, but Lyon indicated they were unlikely to replace him with another key defender.

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