St Kilda Sensitives

[Jazz_84]

good chance we'll be seeing Nick cry a few times this year.....

ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon has implored the other 16 AFL teams to play with compassion this year and refrain from belittling his players at the centre of a photograph scandal with a teenage girl.

Despite the dispute coming to a head under mediation last week between the two parties, Lyon is well aware the issue could be used as mental intimidation against his captain Nick Riewoldt, Zac Dawson, Nick Dal Santo and Sam Gilbert.

"Gee whiz, it's a brutal competition, isn't it," Lyon said at Melbourne Airport yesterday morning.

"Just because you are on the football field, you don't leave behind the community standard.

"If people are consistently crossing those (standards) it becomes an issue, and that's something the AFL consistently deals with, which is any form of vilification on the agenda."

Lyon said there were previous examples where players on the field had crossed the line but refused to go into detail.

"We (St Kilda) like to play within the rules and the spirit of the game and when we win games of football, we like to think we've played within those rules and the spirit of the game," he said.

"That's the way we will continue, and in my experience, that's the way the other clubs go about it as well."

He asked his players to be cautious as well as conscious of repeat incidents like those Riewoldt experienced last Wednesday evening in South Melbourne near his home, after a member of the public berated him about the photographs.

"There is always people that are going to have a crack at you and try and rile you and upset you," Lyon said.

"That happens day in and day out in AFL football. If you live in the public life it goes with the territory.

"It just doesn't happen in pubs and nightclubs, it happens at 7pm in Clarendon street (South Melbourne) on Wednesday night.

"But it's the ability to smile and walk away and not get involved and understand what you stand for."

Lyon spoke of the relief for the club after a successful resolution between the club and teenager had been resolved.

The girl gave a guarantee she would not publish any more photos involving St Kilda players.

"It's been a battle for everyone really. No one has enjoyed this. All we want is for people to be happy and to move on with their lives and hopefully this gives everyone the opportunity," the coach said.

"At all times there is genuine care and interest of my players.

"We represent 40,000-plus members, so certainly (we have) the ability to resolve issues, as well as making sure everyone is taken care of."

The team, minus an injured Michael Gardiner, flew to New Zealand yesterday morning in the hope of galvanizing the group for the new season.

The injured ruckman remains in Melbourne after he underwent radical surgery to his knee in Perth, where they injected stem cells to the troublesome area. it is not known how long he will need to recuperate.

Lyon added: "The trip (to New Zealand) gives us an opportunity to refine our game play, spend time together and really talk about what we stand for.

"It's also about the extraordinary effort we like to give our fans and have another really strong season."

[BERT]

It was fine for Nick to sledge Lovett about an assault charge a couple of years ago.

Pot Kettle Saints.

[Gyoza]

It was fine for Nick to sledge Lovett about an assault charge a couple of years ago.

Pot Kettle Saints.

Yep. Hope teams and fans absolutely give it to the tools all year.

[Ronny Rotten]

Lyons is living a la la , dream world if he thinks that " cry baby revolt , gilbert & dicky del santo , will escape sledging on & off field this year or next.

They will cop the mother of all sledging from the likes such good natured gentleman such as Hall , Welsh , McVeigh , Brown etc. Lucky for them that moron Baker plays for the Aint's.

I know a lot of supporters are ready to let loose on "Dicky " Nick & "Lil Boy" Del Santo.

I think we have them first up in the nab cup.

[Megan]

Well. He's just gaurenteed that those guys who might've thought twice about it are gonna do it now.

*shakes head*

[robrulz5]

If they can't handle it they shouldn't be out there.

[F-111]

Don't leave Dawson out!

[s'dreams]

Methinks Lyon got this idea from his kid's kindergarten anti-bullying policy.

Trouble is, the way the Saints have handled this (irrespective of the photos etc) - they have lost a lot of respect from other supporters and the wider community ... their club and individual players have to earn back our respect and not take it for granted.

In a phrase - toughen up, suck it in and get on with it.

[Crazyman]

I hope someone can find a way to make a 3d banner for the footy...I can just imagine the slogans now

[little_ripper]

Hope this whole episodes hardens Reiwoldt up.

Easily the best key position player in the game at the moment. give him and a few others in that outfit a harder stance and they might just win the aints second flag.

anyone(even those mugs) but collingwood.

[BenDoolan]

Always thought Reiwoldt was a soft cock

[Gyoza]

Hope this whole episodes hardens Reiwoldt up.