St Kilda has emerged as the surprise packets of the AFL over the opening three rounds of the season, topping the table in a perfect start for the new era under Ross Lyon.
While the Saints have set the standard in everything from ball movement to uncontested marks, Lyon’s best work has come re-righting the intangibles at the club, most notably its culture, according to Essendon great Matthew Lloyd.
Lloyd says Lyon inherited a drinking culture among the club’s players when he was appointed coach last year.
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“The impact that David Misson and Ross Lyon have made on this playing group [has been huge],” Lloyd told Nine’s Footy Classified.
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“Culturally, there was a drinking culture at St Kilda, you’d go out and if you decided you didn’t want to drink, you’d be heckled for that even though you’re a professional footballer.
“So changing that mindset at St Kilda to go ‘You know what, you can go out and not drink because you want to be the best AFL footballer you can be,’ and I think that has changed to the point where more players don’t drink than drink, which has never been the case.
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“They enjoyed a good time, they didn’t know what elite standards were and if you tried to go away from that and be the ultimate professional, you got heckled and put down for that.
“Ross has changed that aspect and it’s standing out now.”
St Kilda celebrated their 150th anniversary with a thrilling 18-point victory over Essendon on the weekend to secure top spot on the AFL ladder.
The last time the club started a season 3-0 was a grand final year, also under Lyon.
Lyon’s on-field approach has been crucial but a much deeper element has set the club up for success this season, Caroline Wilson added.
“He’s trusting them, a touch of the Chris Scotts, he gives them Mondays off so from Saturday night they won’t turn up at Moorabbin until tomorrow (Tuesday),” Wilson added.
“He’s given them the extra time, but he’s given them the trust.”
St Kilda travel to the Gold Coast in a quest to keep their unbeaten record alive on Saturday night.
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