Latest news with #BenDixon
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Don't b**** and moan': Great unloads on Saints in scathing verdict
St Kilda have been encouraged to stop throwing stones at others and worry about their own glasshouse in a scathing assessment of the club's antics by Fox Footy's Ben Dixon. Speaking on Wednesday night's episode of First Crack, Dixon, who played 203 games for Hawthorn, backed up Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick's comments after Ross Lyon's 'nepo baby' remark towards the Suns before St Kilda's 19-point loss at Marvel Stadium on Sunday. Lyon's words were targeted at the Gold Coast's academy concessions with recruiters believing as many as four top ten picks in this year's draft could come from the Suns' academy. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. It followed St Kilda president Andrew Bassett using his speech at last year's club Best and Fairest night to complain about academy selections and father-son picks in the draft. Dixon was not a fan of the behaviour from Lyon pre-game, saying it told fans they expected to lose. 'Throwing a hand grenade over the top before a game, if I was a Saints supporter watching, and I'm not a Saints supporter, and he said 'oh chock full of talent yada yada', I'd be thinking he's put the white flag up and we're going to get completely rolled today,' Dixon said. Only 13,486 fans attended the loss to the Suns, the lowest crowd ever for a St Kilda home game at Marvel Stadium, as Saints fans have had little to cheer about in recent times. They have won just one of their last seven matches, and have won four times for the season so far to sit 14th. Dixon admitted that St Kilda are in the midst of a rebuild with the fifth youngest list in the AFL. But the Saints have on average put out the seventh youngest team in the competition this season, and fielded a more experienced side than Gold Coast on Sunday. He stressed than they need to get to work to turn things around quickly with their next five games coming against tough opposition in Melbourne (in Alice Springs), the Western Bulldogs, Collingwood, Fremantle (at Optus Stadium) and Hawthorn. 'They could be sitting at four and 12. Is that where you want to be sitting in a rebuild?' Dixon said. 'If you want to keep throwing hand grenades over at other coaches and clubs about what they're getting, and your not getting, I drive home through Toorak, I don't bitch and moan about he's got a bigger mansion than me and he's inherited that. I just want to get to work and buy my own. 'That's what the Saints have got to do.' Dixon also believes that the complaints coming from St Kilda's hierarchy does not bode well for their pursuits of players from rival clubs. The Saints have put forward a staggering offer of around $1.7 million per season to Carlton's Tom De Koning, and are actively on the hunt for other prized recruits after missing out on the likes of Finn Callaghan and Luke Davies-Uniacke despite reportedly offering the former $17 million over ten years. Dixon suggested that they need to make Moorabbin more appetising, and such comments as their ones targeted at the Suns would not come from the likes of Craig McRae, Sam Mitchell, Damien Hardwick or Chris Fagan, who all coach sides in the top six at present. 'If you're selling a strategy and you're trying to recruit players to your club, it's got to be a destination club and your messaging is so important,' Dixon said. 'You hear 'Fly' talk, you hear 'Mitch', you hear 'Dimma', you hear 'Fages', when they talk, you believe. 'And everyone's watching, potential players and even your current players might watch back. 'Your messaging is so clear in terms of where you want to go as a footy club. 'If potting the opposition before, in terms of what he said (about) the Suns, who haven't played finals yet and yes, they're going to play finals now. 'I just think it's sour grapes. Throw the toys out of the cot and that's just not Ross. 'If that's your strategy, I just don't like it.' St Kilda finished 12th last year with 11 wins after winning 13 games the year prior, the first in Lyon's second stint in charge, before losing an elimination final against the Giants at the MCG. Concerning for Lyon is the Saints poor defensive numbers this season. They have conceded on average 91.3 points per game, and cough up 52.1 points per game from turnovers - the worst they have been in those statistics since finishing 16th in 2018. 'Look at their defence, that used to be Ross' backbone. Seven-year low,' Dixon said. 'In terms of points against and turnover, they're getting punished. 'That used to be his strength. 'Concentrate on your strength.' Their struggles so far this season have also come off the back of a startling drop off for several of their most important players. Bradley Hill (86th to 189th), Rowan Marshall (93rd to 258th), Mason Wood (97th to 202nd), Jack Steele (163rd to 184th) and Darcy Wilson (193rd to 251st) have all gone backwards this year in Champion Data's player ratings. All of that quintet bar Wood finished in the top ten of the club's best and fairest last season. And Dixon believes the poor form of their best players, as well as the off field drama, could contribute to the likes of star half back Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, who has been linked with a move home to South Australia, walking out the door. 'The finishes are irrelevant when you're rebuilding but you've got to be developing your players. You've got to bring your players along for the journey,' Dixon said. 'And they're just inconsistent. Not saying they're terrible but your top end talent and your leaders have just dropped a way a little bit. 'They've got to come along for the ride too. 'Getting back to 'Dimma's' point about 'worry about your own backyard', just get to work on the players. 'Get to work on the young players. Get the messaging right because (Nasiah) Wanganeen-Milera hasn't signed with that footy club yet. 'If you're selling the dream to him, why hasn't he signed? What doesn't he believe at that footy club?' Dixon's fellow panellist Leigh Montagna came to the defence of his former club. The two-time All-Australian said that the Saints are 'fighting for their club' when they discuss the way the draft is compromised by academy and father-son selections. 'They want fairness and the opportunity to try and rebuild properly and be a contender,' Montagna said. 'And they're feeling that the northern academies and the advantages they get don't give St Kilda the same opportunity. 'They are trying to galvanise as a club. They are saying we are not going to stand for this anymore. 'They are ruffling feathers. That is their strategy. 'So Ross is on board with that strategy, and we are hearing there might be change with the way the academies (draftees) can be selected going forward.' The third member of the First Crack panel, two-time North Melbourne premiership player David King was not so sure that the Saints' actions were having as strong an impact on the AFL as Montagna believes. 'I think it's contributed, I'm not sure it's the absolute reason,' King said of potential changes to the draft points system.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
‘It's sour grapes' – Dicko whacks Lyon!
AFL: Ben Dixon has taken issue with Ross Lyon's comments regarding the Suns, suggesting the Saints coach has bigger issues to worry about.
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
'It was awesome' – Greene stuns in 250th
AFL: A delighted Toby Greene spoke to Ben Dixon after celebrating his 250th game with a big win over Carlton at Marvel Stadium.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Richmond find their aura as rebuild roars ahead of schedule
The two clubs that won all four AFL premierships between 2017 and 2020 squared off Sunday in a clash that didn't look particularly enticing when the fixture was released last November. Heading into 2025, there were predictions of winless seasons and comparisons with the darkest days of Fitzroy. But the game between Richmond and West Coast boiled down to a last-gasp tackle. It was the kind of tackle that was supposedly given its last rites a fortnight ago, a tackle that saw a goal-bound but moribund fourth gamer ambushed like a cheetah on an impala. These things are a mix of technique, speed, luck and, most crucially, will. Tom Brown had all four in spades, and Richmond had another win. Back in early March, if the Tigers' coach, players and supporters had been offered three wins by Mother's Day, they wouldn't have hesitated in accepting. All they really wanted was to be as competitive as possible, to get some games into their draftees, and to steal four points here or there. They've achieved all of that already. Hell, they achieved that in their first game against Carlton. Throw in an unexpected victory over a not entirely beloved triple-premiership coach now at the Suns, and a hard-fought win over the Eagles, and the Tigers have much to be positive about. After a rapid decline and the occasional greatest hits concert, the club pinned its future on last year's draft. They sold hundreds of tickets to watch the event at Punt Road despite the event's reputation for being a tough watch. But 90 minutes into the telecast, Ben Dixon was on my list, and Richmond had the nucleus of what it hopes will be its next premiership team. The Tigers only selected homegrown kids, and most of them were from the same school competition, but they didn't exactly play it safe. A lot of those picks were risky. One had suffered multiple concussions. One had torn an ACL. One missed three months with a fractured back. Most of them were tall. It's hard to predict what tall kids at that age are going to be like in half a decade's time. They take longer to develop than a Nick Watson or an Isaac Kako. They can be total busts or suddenly improve out of sight. The draftees we've seen so far have all been good, and a few of the better prospects are still in the shed, but the older players have impressed just as much. It would have been easy for a few of them to phone it in, to collect their cheques, and to offer a bit of grudging guidance. Instead they've provided what has been lacking at other rebuilding clubs – premiership experience, physical and verbal protection and what the coach calls 'the footy chip'. In their season opener against the Blues, it was the mid-tier bracket of players, the ones who didn't play in the flags, who got the Tigers across the line. In the win over the Eagles on Mother's Day, it was the veterans leading the way. It was Toby Nankervis, a blunt instrument and a bone rattler, exactly the sort of captain a young team needs. It was spearhead Tom Lynch, who has barely been sighted for three years, but who is so important structurally, physically and verbally to the side. And it was Kamdyn McIntosh who ran in straight lines and patrolled his wing with a tradesman's alacrity. And then there is coach Adem Yze, who was on a hiding to nothing last year. As a player, he had a charmed run with injuries. But his team was gutted ahead of his second season in charge. He's renowned for his tactical acumen, but all he could do was coach effort, spirit and pressure. Then he lost one of the competition's most exciting players, a recent best and fairest, and two of the most popular players from the Tigers' golden era. The fact that Yze is not a forceful media personality – certainly not like his predecessor – has worked against him. He was even criticised for not exhibiting sufficient gravitas went announcing the captaincy in February. It was claimed he lacked 'aura'. What the hell do we want from a coach? Yze has to drag his side off the bottom of the ladder, teach a bunch of beanpoles how to play the game, and defend one of his best players in Noah Balta who is now subject to a curfew. Apparently he also has to project himself like Tony Soprano berating his capos. At so many other clubs, the concept of a 'rebuild' is a protean one. From month to month, depending on results and the coach's PR skills, it's either a rebuild, a re-stump, a re-wiring or a total re-do. Richmond haven't had to worry about that. They have been upfront about what they are aiming to do and what we should expect. They've already covered their line, exceeded all expectations and given every indication they're a team for the long haul. This is an extract from Guardian Australia's free weekly AFL email, From the Pocket.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Richmond find their aura as rebuild roars ahead of schedule
Richmond brushes off concerns that it might not win a game in this AFL season with three victories from the Tigers' opening nine matches. Richmond brushes off concerns that it might not win a game in this AFL season with three victories from the Tigers' opening nine matches. Photograph:The two clubs that won all four AFL premierships between 2017 and 2020 squared off Sunday in a clash that didn't look particularly enticing when the fixture was released last November. Heading into 2025, there were predictions of winless seasons and comparisons with the darkest days of Fitzroy. But the game between Richmond and West Coast boiled down to a last-gasp tackle. It was the kind of tackle that was supposedly given its last rites a fortnight ago, a tackle that saw a goal-bound but moribund fourth gamer ambushed like a cheetah on an impala. These things are a mix of technique, speed, luck and, most crucially, will. Tom Brown had all four in spades, and Richmond had another win. Back in early March, if the Tigers' coach, players and supporters had been offered three wins by Mother's Day, they wouldn't have hesitated in accepting. All they really wanted was to be as competitive as possible, to get some games into their draftees, and to steal four points here or there. They've achieved all of that already. Hell, they achieved that in their first game against Carlton. Throw in an unexpected victory over a not entirely beloved triple-premiership coach now at the Suns, and a hard-fought win over the Eagles, and the Tigers have much to be positive about. Advertisement After a rapid decline and the occasional greatest hits concert, the club pinned its future on last year's draft. They sold hundreds of tickets to watch the event at Punt Road despite the event's reputation for being a tough watch. But 90 minutes into the telecast, Ben Dixon was on my list, and Richmond had the nucleus of what it hopes will be its next premiership team. The Tigers only selected homegrown kids, and most of them were from the same school competition, but they didn't exactly play it safe. A lot of those picks were risky. One had suffered multiple concussions. One had torn an ACL. One missed three months with a fractured back. Most of them were tall. It's hard to predict what tall kids at that age are going to be like in half a decade's time. They take longer to develop than a Nick Watson or an Isaac Kako. They can be total busts or suddenly improve out of sight. The draftees we've seen so far have all been good, and a few of the better prospects are still in the shed, but the older players have impressed just as much. It would have been easy for a few of them to phone it in, to collect their cheques, and to offer a bit of grudging guidance. Instead they've provided what has been lacking at other rebuilding clubs – premiership experience, physical and verbal protection and what the coach calls 'the footy chip'. In their season opener against the Blues, it was the mid-tier bracket of players, the ones who didn't play in the flags, who got the Tigers across the line. In the win over the Eagles on Mother's Day, it was the veterans leading the way. It was Toby Nankervis, a blunt instrument and a bone rattler, exactly the sort of captain a young team needs. It was spearhead Tom Lynch, who has barely been sighted for three years, but who is so important structurally, physically and verbally to the side. And it was Kamdyn McIntosh who ran in straight lines and patrolled his wing with a tradesman's alacrity. Advertisement And then there is coach Adem Yze, who was on a hiding to nothing last year. As a player, he had a charmed run with injuries. But his team was gutted ahead of his second season in charge. He's renowned for his tactical acumen, but all he could do was coach effort, spirit and pressure. Then he lost one of the competition's most exciting players, a recent best and fairest, and two of the most popular players from the Tigers' golden era. The fact that Yze is not a forceful media personality – certainly not like his predecessor – has worked against him. He was even criticised for not exhibiting sufficient gravitas went announcing the captaincy in February. It was claimed he lacked 'aura'. What the hell do we want from a coach? Yze has to drag his side off the bottom of the ladder, teach a bunch of beanpoles how to play the game, and defend one of his best players in Noah Balta who is now subject to a curfew. Apparently he also has to project himself like Tony Soprano berating his capos. At so many other clubs, the concept of a 'rebuild' is a protean one. From month to month, depending on results and the coach's PR skills, it's either a rebuild, a re-stump, a re-wiring or a total re-do. Richmond haven't had to worry about that. They have been upfront about what they are aiming to do and what we should expect. They've already covered their line, exceeded all expectations and given every indication they're a team for the long haul. Crunching the numbers The Magpies have won all four of the nail-biters to extend their winning streak against the Crows to nine matches. Adelaide last beat Collingwood in 2016. From the archives Stephen Silvagni played his first senior game for Carlton 40 years ago this week. Unorthodox, versatile, fiercely competitive and blessed with incredible closing speed, he was a champion footballer in an era replete with them. Advertisement What sticks in the memory, and I hope I don't sound like I'm quibbling here, are those rare days where full forwards managed to get hold of him. Early in 1989, at Moorabbin, with Silvagni hanging off him all afternoon, Tony Lockett played one of the greatest individual games in the history of the sport – finishing with 10.7 from St Kilda's 13 goals, including the winner. Five years later, in a State of Origin clash between Victoria and South Australia, Tony Modra booted five goals on Silvagni in a half, almost all of them set up by Darren Jarman. When he was crowned full back of the century, he looked almost embarrassed to be up on stage. Two players, Matthew Scarlett and Alex Rance, would later emerge as legitimate and belated contenders for that accolade. As good as they were, they weren't playing on Gary Ablett, Wayne Carey, Jason Dunstall or Tony Lockett. And that's just the legends. There was also Matthew Richardson, Paul Salmon, Gary Lyon, Stewart Loewe, Bill Brownless, John Longmire and dozens of others. Silvagni beat them all. With apologies to Scarlett and Rance, they weren't guarding completely open forward lines, swinging forward to kick 10 goals in a game or pulling down marks of the year. They said what? Play was allowed to continue despite the Magpies' forward showing signs of concussion, with audio revealed by Channel 7 forcing AFL football boss, Laura Kane, to back away from claims that the umpires had not seen Schultz lying on the ground. 'The statement we released was incorrect, but we were given the wrong information from the umpires,' Kane said. View from the stands (or the couch) 'WA is an unbelievable to place to be when you're 18, 19, like it's a great party and these Perth boys go back at 22 and all their mates have sort of grown up a bit,' Max Gawn said on Triple M. 'There's so many people that got a trade back to WA and then came back, not mentioning one that could potentially be coming back soon ... let's hope.' Advertisement The Melbourne captain leans into speculation that Fremantle forward/ruck Luke Jackson might be considering a return to the club that he helped win the 2021 premiership. Footy quiz Which club is enjoying the longest current wooden spoon drought? Bonus point for the year that it started. Answers in next week's newsletter, but if you think you know it, hit reply and let me know! Last week's answer: How many finals have Adelaide and Port Adelaide played against each other? One. The Crows thrashed the Power by 83 points in a semi-final in 2005. Congratulations to Jed Gunn, who was first to reply with the right answer. Want more? GWS Giants conquer Geelong's fortress for a fifth time in as many matches with Jesse Hogan continuing his rich vein of form. Advertisement Andrew Dillon defends the AFL's handling of the Willie Rioli case after the Port Adelaide forward was banned for one match for a threatening message to an opponent. But the whole saga could have been handled so much better. Got a story tip? Reply to this email and drop me a line, or email fromthepocket@ Enjoying this newsletter? Have a friend who might? Forward this to them, or tell them how to get it.
