Lyon Blames Injury Management - No mention of TD
Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 9:01 amLyon blames injury management
02 May 2007 Herald-Sun
Rebecca Williams and Mark Stevens
ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon says the Saints' continuing injury woes stem from bad management, not bad luck.
As the Saints' injury toll grows, Lyon said yesterday the club was reviewing its medical and fitness programs in a bid to halt more than three years of injury woes.
He said the Saints needed to bring their player availability up to the standard of the West Coast Eagles and Sydney, where he was an assistant coach.
"It's beyond bad luck, let's not kid ourselves," Lyon said.
"There are some controllables that aren't being controlled. That's my view.
"There is no doubt some soft tissue (injuries) at critical times has hurt the club at critical times over three years.
"I am not pointing the finger, but we need to get West Coast and Sydney-type player availability.
"It's a key element of success, player availability. That hasn't been in existence here for 2 1/2 years."
The club's board is awaiting details of a review, conducted by Lyon and football manager Ken Sheldon.
President Rod Butterss said there was underlying frustration at the run of injuries.
"They (the football department) are keeping us abreast. They are very diligent and prepared to look under every rock," Butterss said.
"It's a case of, 'OK, we still haven't got it right . . . let's go again. Let's go through a process again for answers'.
"Firstly, you've got to recognise there's a problem. Then you've got to conduct analysis, seek advice, go far and wide and get the best people involved. You won't do it overnight."
Andrew Weller, now in charge of physio and rehabilitation, was at Moorabbin under Thomas's reign.
Lyon recently appointed former Carlton fitness guru Peter Mulkearns to handle strength and conditioning.
The Saints have been cursed by soft-tissue injuries to Nick Riewoldt (hamstring), Justin Koschitzke (adductor/quad), Max Hudghton (quadricep) and Sam Fisher (hamstring).
Butterss said Lyons was frustrated with the injuries.
"To his credit, he's not allowing that frustration to overflow," Butterss said.
Lyon said he believed the players had suffered because of a lack of continuity in their fitness programs.
The Saints replaced Chris Jones as training services manager after the 2005 season with Craig Starcevich.
Starcevich resigned earlier this year and was replaced by Mulkearns.
"There has been no continuity in the type of conditioning, which can leave players vulnerable and a little bit confused," Lyon said.
Lyon used Raphael Clarke, sidelined with a back injury, as an example of the Saints' revised long-term approach to rehabilitation.
"When I first got here, he could only walk because of a back problem," Lyon said.
"But we made a decision that when he comes back, he is going to be back for a long time.
"We have not rushed him. We have taken a long-term view on him."
02 May 2007 Herald-Sun
Rebecca Williams and Mark Stevens
ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon says the Saints' continuing injury woes stem from bad management, not bad luck.
As the Saints' injury toll grows, Lyon said yesterday the club was reviewing its medical and fitness programs in a bid to halt more than three years of injury woes.
He said the Saints needed to bring their player availability up to the standard of the West Coast Eagles and Sydney, where he was an assistant coach.
"It's beyond bad luck, let's not kid ourselves," Lyon said.
"There are some controllables that aren't being controlled. That's my view.
"There is no doubt some soft tissue (injuries) at critical times has hurt the club at critical times over three years.
"I am not pointing the finger, but we need to get West Coast and Sydney-type player availability.
"It's a key element of success, player availability. That hasn't been in existence here for 2 1/2 years."
The club's board is awaiting details of a review, conducted by Lyon and football manager Ken Sheldon.
President Rod Butterss said there was underlying frustration at the run of injuries.
"They (the football department) are keeping us abreast. They are very diligent and prepared to look under every rock," Butterss said.
"It's a case of, 'OK, we still haven't got it right . . . let's go again. Let's go through a process again for answers'.
"Firstly, you've got to recognise there's a problem. Then you've got to conduct analysis, seek advice, go far and wide and get the best people involved. You won't do it overnight."
Andrew Weller, now in charge of physio and rehabilitation, was at Moorabbin under Thomas's reign.
Lyon recently appointed former Carlton fitness guru Peter Mulkearns to handle strength and conditioning.
The Saints have been cursed by soft-tissue injuries to Nick Riewoldt (hamstring), Justin Koschitzke (adductor/quad), Max Hudghton (quadricep) and Sam Fisher (hamstring).
Butterss said Lyons was frustrated with the injuries.
"To his credit, he's not allowing that frustration to overflow," Butterss said.
Lyon said he believed the players had suffered because of a lack of continuity in their fitness programs.
The Saints replaced Chris Jones as training services manager after the 2005 season with Craig Starcevich.
Starcevich resigned earlier this year and was replaced by Mulkearns.
"There has been no continuity in the type of conditioning, which can leave players vulnerable and a little bit confused," Lyon said.
Lyon used Raphael Clarke, sidelined with a back injury, as an example of the Saints' revised long-term approach to rehabilitation.
"When I first got here, he could only walk because of a back problem," Lyon said.
"But we made a decision that when he comes back, he is going to be back for a long time.
"We have not rushed him. We have taken a long-term view on him."
