Saints want more MCG matches

ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon has called on the AFL to schedule more games at the MCG for his side next year.

The Saints only play one home and away match at the home of football this year – the round 22 clash against Melbourne.

Sitting two games clear in top spot, Lyon said the Saints would like to have more preparation at the ground where they will be playing finals.

“Clearly we would love to play at the MCG and being in Victoria it is the home of football. Big games are going to be played there and in a perfect world we’d loved to have been on there,” he said

“They’re doing the draw now (for next season) and I hope they schedule some games at the MCG next year. We’ve applied for some training sessions there.”

This week’s game against the Sydney Swans at the SCG will be only the fifth time the Saints have played away from Docklands this season. Lyon said his side should be able to adapt to the different circumstances.

“It is a smaller ground and if you turn the ball over in certain parts of the ground you can get scored against quickly,” he said.

“It’s still going to be about the basics and getting hold of the footy and moving it quickly. They are a strong defensive team and we know that. We are going to have to work hard to break the shackles.”

Lyon was an assistant at the Swans for three years and said he knew the side well enough not to take them lightly.

“They’ve performed really strongly for a long period of time. I used to know them intimately, it’s been a long time now. What I do know is that they can see themselves still potentially making the finals,” he said.

“They are the messages coming out which is a fantastic message for our group. Ryan O’Keefe’s article spoke about they are up for the challenge so it really puts us on red alert going up to their home venue.”

Lyon is coaching against his former boss and teammate Paul Roos this week and said he appreciated the encouragement he had received from his good friend in his formative years as St Kilda coach.

“I’m not sure he’ll wish me luck (this weekend). He’s been really supportive, obviously we played together for a long time and we’re great mates.  In a professional sense he’s been a great support,” he said.

“Without the opportunity at the Sydney Swans I wouldn’t be standing here today. I’m forever grateful for that but we’re really determined to go up and play some great footy on Saturday night for obvious reasons.”