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AFL coaches seek inspiration from the past

Sep 27, 2013
Ross Lyon and family leave Perth airport

Ross Lyon and family leave Perth airport

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says he’s less anxious this AFL grand final week than in the lead-up to previous deciders in his time with St Kilda.

Lyon came desperately close to leading St Kilda to a flag, the Saints falling 12 points short of Geelong in the 2009 grand final and drawing with Collingwood in 2010 before losing the replay.

The coach said a lesson from those experiences was not to let a sense of how much is riding on the outcome cause anxiety leading up to the game.

“At the end of the day, it’s the ultimate distraction, which is the outcome,” Lyon told the Nine Network’s AFL Footy Show on Thursday night.

“But it is another game of football.

“On a personal level, I’ve been calmer, less anxious and (had) a real understanding of the week and really encouraged the players to enjoy it.

“As we did then (with the Saints) but it’s probably allowing them to do so more.

“But you need to take your opportunities.

“If I’d ask them to do one thing, it would probably be kick straight.”

Lyon said the way the Dockers were able to stifle Sydney with their defensive pressure early in Saturday night’s preliminary final had not surprised him.

He said the fact that the Dockers were coming off a weekend’s rest, against a tired, injury-hit Swans had helped.

“They were sitting ducks a little bit Sydney,” he said.

“There was pent-up emotion and (we were) just ready to go when that ball was bounced.

“And we can’t underestimate 45,000 Dockers fans there, it was an amazing atmosphere.”

Lyon said the Dockers’ form had been strong for the past six weeks, with a particular lift in the ruck and midfield.

“We understand Hawthorn have been the best home and away team,” he said.

“It’s a massive challenge, but the form we’re in, we think we’re going to be right in it and it’s an exciting time.”

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson expects his team to discuss last year’s AFL grand final defeat on Friday as they prepare to try to go one better against Fremantle on Saturday.

The Hawks suffered an upset 10-point defeat to Sydney in last season’s decider.

Clarkson said on Thursday night that loss hadn’t yet been mentioned in the build-up to Saturday’s game.

“Not as yet. It will probably be discussed at some point tomorrow,” the Hawks coach said.

“But I think our guys are pretty keen, they’re energised and they’re ready for a contest and hopefully it will be a great game of footy.

“We’re ready to go.”

Clarkson reiterated his previous statements that the Hawks felt better prepared than this time last year, when they were fatigued by the battle it took to clinch their top four berth.

“We just ran out of gas and didn’t play our best footy in the last two games of the year,” he said.

“We feel like we’ve been able to prepare ourselves for the finals this year a little bit better, but the proof will be in the pudding.”

Clarkson said he was greatly impressed by the Dockers’ convincing preliminary final win over Sydney, given how much respect Hawthorn held for the Swans.

“We know how hard they are to beat and Fremantle played exceptionally well,” he said.

“We know we’re up for a challenge.

“Always when you play against Ross Lyon-led sides you know it’s going to be a real fierce battle and we’re expecting no different on Saturday afternoon.”

Hawthorn v Fremantle at MCG 2.00pm

Head to Head: Hawks 20 Dockers 7

Last clash: Round 4 2013 – Hawks 18.10 (118) bt Dockers 11.10 (76) at Aurora Stadium

Tab Sportsbet: Hawks $1.60 Dockers $2.40

Sportingbet: Hawks $1.68 Dockers $2.25

It’s the battle of the AFL’s best attacking team versus the competition’s most miserly defence. The Hawks have scored more than any other club this season and averaged 22 points per game more than the Dockers during the home and away season. But Fremantle have clearly the best defensive record and the way they stifled Sydney in their preliminary final on Saturday night has persuaded plenty of observers they are capable of upsetting the Hawks, who have long been premiership favourites. Memories of last year – when Hawthorn were also the season’s best attacking team and grand final favourites, but lost to a Sydney side who had been the competition’s best defensively – play into that thinking. Both clubs are near full strength. The only team change made by either side from the preliminary finals was Hawthorn’s loss of Brendan Whitecross, the sub last weekend, to a serious knee injury. Jonathan Simpkin, best afield for the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL grand final last Sunday, is his replacement. Grand final nerves could play a part for both sides. The Hawks let themselves down with poor kicking in last year’s grand final and were again shaky on that front in their narrow preliminary final win over Geelong. While Hawthorn carry the burden of expectation, the Dockers have to deal with having just two players – Zac Dawson and Danyle Pearce – who have grand final experience.

Key: Both sides are strong everywhere, but on paper the Hawks could have an edge in attack. Hawthorn star forwards Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Cyril Rioli were all quiet in their club’s preliminary final though. The Dockers are unlikely to allow them many easy scoring chances, so they must seize their opportunities.

Tip: Hawks by 15 points

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