Round 7
St Kilda v West Coast
1.10pm, Sunday 26th April 2026
Marvel Stadium
Pre-game thoughts
An Ode to The Great Distractor
There are people within the Saints community who think Ross Lyon is witty and clever.
If being condescending, disrespectful and smarmy is witty then I’ve clearly missed a meeting, when all this time I was under the belief that witty and clever applied to comics like Peter Cook and John Clarke.
I have nothing personal against Lyon, it’s simply his behaviour when the team loses games that drives me mad because I, like many others was taught to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.
He is a recidivist at press conferences and he was at his prickly, sooky best after last week’s loss to the Crows.
I’ve had to listen to (what’s a collective noun for a group of ex-footballers in the media?…a ‘flood’ perhaps?) and their responses to Lyon’s behaviour, aghast at the level of sycophantic, boot licking that they display towards this delicate genius.
When will someone ever challenge this guy’s behaviour? As a senior coach in the AFL, on $1m+ you have a responsibility as the #1 cultural head of the club, to set an example for everyone, exude the club’s values for the players, sponsors, support staff and the fans.
There are current coaches who have had a far tougher time over the past ten years than Lyon but never take out their frustrations in the 5th quarter.
Matthew Nicks, Brad Scott and even dual premiership coach Chris Fagan had a horror first couple of years but never wavered under the media scrutiny.
Regardless of where the Saints are on the ladder, I would much prefer stoicism as opposed to petulance from our head coach.
I said it when he was re-appointed and I’ll say it again. Never ever go back to an ex- girlfriend/boyfriend, especially when they had previously disappeared in the middle of the night.
Finally, if he doesn’t like press conferences, that’s fine. Simply send Corey Enright in given he’s our next coach. Perhaps then we might gain some insight into what actually matters; the players and the game, and not denigrating young journalists.
This week’s special comments are from 71 YO Michael (he looks 50!) a 60 year Saints supporter from Melbourne who sits next to me at Marvel. Michael is an academic and a mad Saints fan. There’s an oxymoron right there.
Dougal Howard and Anthony Caminiti are in this week for Liam Stocker and Hugh Boxshall. Tall ‘ins’ perhaps to stretch the young Eagles.
WCE have brought in Champion, Williams and Maric. Maric and Champion making only their second appearances for the Eagles. Schoenberg, Cripps and Reid have been omitted.
All things considered, Saints by 87 points.
1st Qtr
Very conservative kick/mark game so far. A few basic errors from both sides and both lacking connectivity. Terrific end to end movement from STK and Ryan goals. Saints supporter who looks like Jack Black draped in red, white and black curses the WCE defenders. I’ve nicknamed him ‘Massive’ in honour of The Coodabeen Champions legend. More good movement starting with Wilkie and Flanders goals. Kick from NAS to Higgins perfect and he kicks a brilliant goal on his left and around the corner. Wilkie holding firm as always. Saints by 20 points at the break.
Michael – We dominated general play. Loved the fast connections from defence but missed opportunities.
2nd Qtr
Waterman marks 15m out and misses. Massive all over him like a rash. STK pressure much better than WCE but composure with the ball letting them down. Reid gets free and goals. Baker’s shorts are 3 x too big. STK allowing two WCE players behind the ball and STK lack outlets. Total confusion as the ARC believes Marshall took a mark half an hour ago so it’s brought back and he goals. Incredible play from Silvagni ends up with a Higgins goal. Superb spot up from NAS ends up with a 3rd for Higgins. Red flags going up for WCE as Garcia bursts through the centre and goals. NAS with no tag = disaster for WCE. WCE are holding 2, sometimes 3 behind the ball when it’s in their defence but those guys are having zero impact when STK transition out. Saints by 40 points at the break.
Michael – STK are adapting to a fast style of play and it’s starting to pay dividends. With King back we could finish it off better.
3rd Qtr
WCE Shanahan takes strong mark and goals. Bad turnover from Butler and Yeo goals accompanied by raucous reception from a good sized WCE cheers squad. Eagles lifting. Good transition from STK and a beautiful pass from Carroll to Ryan who goals. Baker kicks a good crumbing goal. Sharman takes a mark from an unintentional NAS pass, goal. Free kick to Ryan who kicks his 3rd. Marshall on top in the ruck. One second NAS is kicking out from goal, next second he’s passing to Hall 30m out, goal. One special player. Good forward pressure and Windhager goals. Good intercept from TDK ends up in a Sharman goal. WCE deflated. Massive puts off Williams having a shot and he kicks a point. Higgins kicks a late one and is mirrored by Waterman just before the siren. Saints by 55.
Michael – Obviously the team has good chemistry and we had some very good patches that quarter. 7 x goals is our best 3rd quarter this year.
4th Qtr
Impressive work by Windhager and Carroll whose laser-like left foot has been impressive. Ends up with Baker who goals after a quiet day. Garcia rewarded with a goal after a superb game. Windhager gets a 50 from a centre bounce free and goals. Junk time but STK need to put a foot on WCE’s throat. Caminiti gets on the end of a beautiful Hunter Clark pass and goals. Phillipou shrugs a tackle and passes to Hall who never misses. Higgins takes an opportunist goal for his 5th. Phillipou nails one effortlessly from 55 and there is a collective breath out from the WCE players who just want to go home. Saints by 101 points.
Michael – Most enjoyable match since the ‘Miracle@Marvel’ last year. Great to see the team invested in fast footy.
A good win but frankly WCE were woeful. I’d give them about 20mins ownership of the game. Can’t say I have any empathy given they have 4 x premiership cups in the cupboard in 40 years unlike our 1 in 153 years.
Most pleasing is the growth of Carroll, Garcia, Wilson and Windy. Hill is having his best season for 3 x years and Silvagni just gets better each week. Fingers crossed we can bring this form against Carlton next week.
ST KILDA 3.4 7.10 14.11 22.11 (143)
WEST COAST 0.3 1.6 5.10 5.12 (42)
GOALS
St Kilda: Higgins 5, Ryan 3, Garcia 2, Hall 2, Phillipou 2, Sharman 2, Windhager 2, Butler, Caminiti, Flanders, Marshall
West Coast: Baker, Reid, Shanahan, Waterman, Yeo
BEST
St Kilda: Wilkie, Wanganeen-Milera, Garcia, Higgins, Marshall
West Coast: Duursma, Lindsay, Reid, Yeo, Kelly
INJURIES
St Kilda: Nil
West Coast: Nil
Crowd: 29,070 at Marvel Stadium
Read more from Ian Wilson HERE
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About Ian Wilson
Former army aircraft mechanic, sales manager, VFA footballer and coach. Now mental health worker and blogger. Lifelong St Kilda FC tragic and father to 2 x girls.
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The most pleasing thing for me was that it was a team effort. St Kilda is no longer relying on just N W-M to win games of football. Also, unlike the betting, I didn’t think pre match that West Coast were easy beats. St Kilda has had trouble in the past when they were hot favourites. West Coast had won 2 matches this year, including an away win against Port Adelaide. Last year, of course, West Coast’s only win for the year was against St Kilda, so St Kilda really had to get up for this one, even if every match is different, as well as changes in playing personnel.
I enjoyed that St Kilda were ruthless in the end, striving to win by that magical 100 point margin.
Great to see them win their 1st game at Marvel Stadium for the year, as it was only their 2nd match at the venue this season. I still want to see TDK get more hit outs to advantage and take more marks. He’s still St Kilda’s best option as their 2nd ruckman, to give Marshall a rest. Good to see Dougal Howard back to his best, as he’s needed as the 3rd tall backman. Personally, I have been impressed with Silvagni from the start of the season. He’s the nearest St Kilda have to replace the role that Josh Battle gave the team, before leaving the club. Flanders and Ryan also make the team better. Ryan mightn’t get the ball much, but more importantly, he kicks goals.
Players who played in the VFL for St Kilda yesterday including Tauru, Macrae and Max King, as well as Stocker, who didn’t play in the VFL, will eventually put pressure on players like Caminiti, Butler, Carroll (you could argue has now passed Stocker) and even Cooper Sharman, to hold their places in St Kilda’s best 23. Hugh Boxhall seems out of favour this season. Better fortune with injuries will also help.
For St Kilda to take the next step, they need more centre clearances against the better teams from centre bounces. As there’s no longer Jack Steele, Macrae is definitely an option. N W-M is great but gets tagged in the midfield. Max Hall needs to be given more time in the midfield, as he is good at clearances.
The reality is St Kilda’s still 3 out of 7 and they have the players to at least finish in the top 10.
100 point victories are hard to come by, especially for St Kilda, as well as only 2 finals appearances after 2010. Let’s hope that changes in 2026, as far as another finals appearance. The focus, as always, will be taking it one week at a time.
Carn The Mighty Saints!