St Kilda CEO Simon Lethlean has told Saints fans what to expect from the club in 2023.
It is an enormous season at Moorabbin in the club’s 150th year with Ross Lyon back as coach and a new coaching staff around him.
The Saints controversially parted ways with Brett Ratten late last year after missing finals in 2022 and 2021, and now the pressure is well and truly on his replacement Lyon to deliver.
Things haven’t started as brightly as they would have hoped with the likes of Max King (shoulder), Jack Billings (fractured leg) and Jack Hayes (foot) sidelined and on the end of a heavy unofficial practice match loss to Melbourne last week.
With all of this in mind, Lethlean was asked what the expectant and frustrated Saints supporters can look forward to this year. Overall, he says the club will be relentless as they chase a first premiership since 1966 and just a second flag in their history.
“On the back of one practice match and some of our better players being unavailable, a new coach, a new game plan and a really new footy program, there’s so many unknowns this time of year to be able to answer that question with any real clarity,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“What our fans do need to know with some of the knowns within the program is that in the first four years of Ross’ tenure back at the club we’re going to be relentless in pursuing having this club contending for a flag.
“We’ll be fitter than we ever have been. There’ll be significant expectations on delivering 100 per cent effort and I think selection will back that up.
“There’ll be greater clarity and education around the game plan, the playing group will know what’s expected of them and their role.
“We’ll give opportunity to youth. You’ve seen (Mattaes) Phillipou run around last week and the importance of giving talented young players a chance.
“The fans can be clear on those things, that they’re the knowns. The effort will be there, the pursuit of the culture of excellence that Ross and his team want, the preparation and the clarity.
“We’re pursuing the ultimate success in Ross’ tenure. Where that lands us after Round 23 this year? I don’t think we’ll know until the season is well under way.
“There’s enough knowns there that the fans can expect of us.”
Lethlean acknowledges the intensity and scrutiny will be centred around the returning Lyon and the Saints, but with a massive year ahead, the outlook is positive.
“Ross has come in in the next iteration of his time at the Saints. He’s brought a big energy, he’s brought a good crew with him, he’s assembled a world-class coaching panel of Corey Enright, Lenny Hayes and Robert Harvey as well as some great development with Jake Batchelor, Brendon Goddard and Damian Carroll,” he added.
“The program looks a lot different. I guess there’s pretty intense demands on everyone within it with a focus on real clarity of roles and game plan and 100 per cent effort.
“There’s certainly a different feel around the footy program and the intensity and demands Ross brings. The other parts of the cub are flourishing too. It’s our 150th year this year and the completion of the rest of the Danny Frawley Centre, a new public gym and pilates studio.
“We’ve got plenty going on and it’s a big year for the club.”
The Saints are next in action against Essendon at RSEA Park on Friday before kicking off their 2023 season proper when they meet Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on March 19.
