Ross Lyon’s Vision for St Kilda’s Mid-Season Draft Strategy
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has always been clear about his goals when it comes to the AFL mid-season draft. Ahead of the most recent selection, he gave a straightforward instruction to the club’s recruiter, Simon Dalrymple.
“Max Hall 2,” Lyon said simply. This was not just a name but a reference to one of the Saints’ most successful mid-season recruits in recent years. Max Hall, who joined the club with the No.4 pick two years ago, has become a key player for the team. His consistent performance and dedication have made him an essential part of the squad.
Now, the focus is on Campbell Lake, a 21-year-old player who was selected with the No.7 pick from the VFL club Southport. The Saints hope that Lake can follow in the footsteps of Hall, although it will take time to determine if he can achieve similar success. However, the club recognizes the importance of securing talent through the mid-season draft.
Hall, who made his debut at the start of last season, has played every game since. His contributions have not gone unnoticed. He finished fourth in the club’s best-and-fairest voting and was awarded the best emerging player award. These achievements were enough to secure him a two-year contract extension.
Lyon praised Hall’s work ethic and consistency, describing him as an “absolute pro.” He emphasized that Hall’s ability to perform the fundamentals consistently has made him a vital part of the team.
“He’s been a real, significant cog for us, so … we’d like to find another one,” Lyon said.
However, Lyon also acknowledged the challenges of finding players like Hall. The talent pool for mid-season picks is limited, and the increasing use of analytics and scouting has made it harder to find undervalued players.
“The (talent) pool’s small, the ability to find the arbitrage, the value that people are missing, has got harder and harder because of analytics and scouting teams, so I think the pool, it’s pretty well known,” Lyon explained.
Despite these challenges, Lyon remains optimistic. “But I think, then beauty’s in the eye of the beholder, isn’t it.”
With this mindset, the Saints have now turned their attention to Campbell Lake. A product of the Gold Coast academy, Lake spent three years at Southport before being selected by St Kilda. Dalrymple highlighted Lake’s versatility as a player, noting that he is a powerful small forward who can also play through midfield.
“His ability to chase and tackle is impressive, while he’s also shown signs of being able to hit the scoreboard, so we’re excited to add him to our mix,” Dalrymple said.
Lake’s potential to contribute to the team is evident, and the Saints are hopeful that he can develop into a player similar to Hall. While it may take time to see if Lake can match Hall’s impact, the club is confident in its decision to invest in his future.
The mid-season draft continues to be a crucial tool for clubs looking to strengthen their squads. For St Kilda, it represents an opportunity to find hidden gems and build a competitive team for the future. With Lyon’s guidance and Dalrymple’s scouting expertise, the Saints are determined to continue their success in this area.
