TonyK
CibbuanoNo need to rebuild, says Riewoldt
May 29th 2008 02:44
ST KILDA captain Nick Riewoldt believes the club's list is talented enough to win a premiership, dismissing suggestions the season had become a wasted opportunity and that his club was consistently soft.
But Riewoldt agreed with coach Ross Lyon's assessment of the club's "soft" performance on Sunday against the Brisbane Lions and was confident that the playing group would put in a better performance this weekend.
"Clearly the evidence was there for everyone to see on the weekend that we were soft," Riewoldt said.
"The playing group was totally accepting in what Ross said and it has stung us into action and it has really resonated.
"As a list we have been having some really honest and open and frank discussions about where we are as a playing group, what the opportunities are for us, and the areas we need
to improve in.
"The comments were entirely appropriate and I am sure we will respond to them this weekend."
Riewoldt said the club's toughness shouldn't be questioned and believed that last weekend's disappointing performance against Brisbane was a once-off.
"Over a long period we have forged a strong reputation in that area," he said.
"I would like to think it was an aberration. Our hard and tough play has been hard to question, so hopefully it was a one-off. We are all working really hard. The leaders have been leading (the discussion) and have been leading out on the ground as well."
Riewoldt dismissed suggestion's by club president Greg Westaway on Tuesday that the club needed to overhaul its playing list.
"I don't think we are in a rebuilding phase," Riewoldt said.
"We have got a strong list, and we have got full confidence in the personnel we have got at the club to get the job done."
The 25-year-old also rejected claims that Lyon's game-plan had taken the enjoyment from football for the players.
"When you are not winning it's a lot harder to enjoy it," he said.
"Our record has been win, loss, win, loss, and I think when you are not developing that momentum and you are not playing with that real strong confidence, it doesn't look like you are enjoying it as much.
"But when we have been winning it's been very enjoyable and the club is a great place to be around and we are not being stifled, like a lot of people are reporting."
Riewoldt did no running drills at the club's indoor session at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre yesterday, but said his left knee had pulled up well after his return from injury against Brisbane.
The Saints skipper also said embattled forward Fraser Gehrig, who is currently on the long-term injury list as he continues to struggle with an arthritic condition in both hands, is committed to playing again this season.
"He has fronted up for every session and every meeting and is here today, so he's still 100 per cent committed to the club," Riewoldt said.
But Riewoldt agreed with coach Ross Lyon's assessment of the club's "soft" performance on Sunday against the Brisbane Lions and was confident that the playing group would put in a better performance this weekend.
"Clearly the evidence was there for everyone to see on the weekend that we were soft," Riewoldt said.
"The playing group was totally accepting in what Ross said and it has stung us into action and it has really resonated.
"As a list we have been having some really honest and open and frank discussions about where we are as a playing group, what the opportunities are for us, and the areas we need
to improve in.
"The comments were entirely appropriate and I am sure we will respond to them this weekend."
Riewoldt said the club's toughness shouldn't be questioned and believed that last weekend's disappointing performance against Brisbane was a once-off.
"Over a long period we have forged a strong reputation in that area," he said.
"I would like to think it was an aberration. Our hard and tough play has been hard to question, so hopefully it was a one-off. We are all working really hard. The leaders have been leading (the discussion) and have been leading out on the ground as well."
Riewoldt dismissed suggestion's by club president Greg Westaway on Tuesday that the club needed to overhaul its playing list.
"I don't think we are in a rebuilding phase," Riewoldt said.
"We have got a strong list, and we have got full confidence in the personnel we have got at the club to get the job done."
The 25-year-old also rejected claims that Lyon's game-plan had taken the enjoyment from football for the players.
"When you are not winning it's a lot harder to enjoy it," he said.
"Our record has been win, loss, win, loss, and I think when you are not developing that momentum and you are not playing with that real strong confidence, it doesn't look like you are enjoying it as much.
"But when we have been winning it's been very enjoyable and the club is a great place to be around and we are not being stifled, like a lot of people are reporting."
Riewoldt did no running drills at the club's indoor session at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre yesterday, but said his left knee had pulled up well after his return from injury against Brisbane.
The Saints skipper also said embattled forward Fraser Gehrig, who is currently on the long-term injury list as he continues to struggle with an arthritic condition in both hands, is committed to playing again this season.
"He has fronted up for every session and every meeting and is here today, so he's still 100 per cent committed to the club," Riewoldt said.
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