ST KILDA - ALAN RICHARDSON
Q: What is exciting you about season 2015?
A: What's exciting me is the attitude of our young playing group, in particular the way they have embraced what has been a very challenging conditioning program. Obviously the inclusion of another quality batch of draftees stimulates not only fans but coaches and players alike.
Q: What will Eli Templeton's role be this year?
A: Eli played predominantly as a small/negating forward in his six games last year, and was very impressive. Our plan is for Eli to play much more on the wing in 2015, going really well after what was a very bad broken arm.
Q: Hi there Alan, is there any chance that Ahmed Saad and Paddy McCartin are going to play round 1?
A: Yes. Depending on their physical preparation, their form and their understanding of their role. There is a chance that our front half will have a significantly different look with those players, plus Membrey, possibly one of the rucks putting their hand up to play forward, Jack Lonie is another that has been impressive as a small, crumbing forward at this early stage.
Q: Hi Alan, will Jack Billings move more into the midfield this year?
A: Yes. Jack has worked very hard on his running capacity and has been impressive at this early stage in his midfield training. Will still be used, not unlike last year, as a forward. But I would hope that he would be able to add about 25% more game time through the midfield.
Q: Which youngsters are most likely to play early in the year?
A: To be honest, all our young players from this year's draft are all going really well. It'll depend on their lead-up in the preparation stage, but certainly our fans have not seen a lot of Blake Acres drafted last year, and my expectation is that he'll play significant footy early on in the year.
Q: Hey Al! I would just like to know what your vision is for the next 4 years. Also how will you utilise Riewoldt? More up the ground and leave the 50 for Membrey and Lee?
A: Our list build strategy should see us challenging at the end of that four-year period. So clearly we need to progress accordingly until that period. We will become more aggressive in the free agency/trade space over that period. Not unlike this year, Roo will play as our higher forward, allowing for the growth of players like Lee, White, Membrey and McCartin.
Q: G'day Alan! What's the best piece of advice you have to a young coach like myself on coaching under 18s?
A: To formulate a simple but stimulating gameplan with clear and accountable non-negotiables/team rules. To be organised at training and remember that your role as a coach at junior level is to ensure that they grow, that they enjoy and that they come back the following year.
Q: Hi Richo! As a proud Saints member I am extremely happy with everything since you have arrived at the Saints on and off the field, I would as thousands of other Saints members/fans would love to see you here for a very, very long time is this something you would take on board? Silly question but just wanted to let you know we are all behind you and the boys! #fortiusquofidelius
A: Thanks for such a positive message. Really enjoying the challenge, proud of the strong decisions/direction our club has taken, and look forward to being here until we win one.
Q: How has Spencer White and Tom Lee put in the pre-season? Obviously they are two important players that we need improvement from, and do you need a runner for the 2015 season as I’m available?
A: Both Tom and Spencer have had good pre-seasons. Tom in particular has finally had some luck with his body and barely missed a session, so I'm really looking forward to seeing how he performs in the NAB Challenge. Spencer still has another level to find with respect to his running capacity, but he also is heading in the right direction. Thanks for the offer, but at this stage we're ok on the runner front!
Q: Hey mate, how is Hugh Goddard going? Any chance of him lining up round 1?
A: Hugh's going very well. He's a very competitive and ambitious young man. It certainly won't be through lack of want or commitment that he won't be there early. He's in a part of the ground where we have a bit of experience (Fisher, Delaney, Dempster, Gilbert etc) so that makes it a little tougher, but long term he has the potential to be a very good player.
Q: How much time is young Paddy spending with Roo and who else is he learning from?
A: He's spending a lot of time with Roo. Roo has just joined in training, so now there is a lot of explicit forward line conversation and education happening. Prior to that, the conversation was around preparation and what's required to be an elite AFL player. He is doing a lot of work with our forward line coach Aaron Hamill.
Q: Hi Richo, is there room in the 22 to play both Longer and Hicks or does that make us to top heavy with Paddy and Roo up forward?
A: Very good question. Time will tell. At this stage comfortable with both boys' ability in the ruck, but clearly need to put their hand up as a forward. Always a challenge to put on pressure in the front half if too tall, but if catching the ball, that's not an issue.
Q: Jason Holmes to make an appearance this season? How are his skills coming along?
A: Jason is a real chance to play initially in the NAB Challenge, as a rookie he needs a long-term injury to be elevated to the primary list for the season proper, but I couldn't be more pleased with his progress. His marking and kicking is certainly coming along, he's definitely heading in the right direction.
