St Kilda’s General Manager of Football Simon Lethlean said young ruckman Lewis Pierce’s standout return to senior football would undoubtedly impact the Saints’ list management movements.
“I think he’s been here for six years now, Lewis,” Lethlean said on the Dare Drink it Through Podcast.
“He had a couple of years where he was probably third or fourth ruck at Sandringham, and only playing forward or back just because of the nature of trying to get all your listed players in the best possible team.
“He made the decision with us this year to go to Frankston and ruck there with our ruck coach, who’s the senior VFL coach at Frankston, Adam Skrobalak, and that seems to have worked for him.
“He’s in the top two or three rucks in the VFL for hit-outs to advantage and marks … so that’s certainly made him press for selection when Hickey and Longer were not available.”
READ: Sammy's VFL Review (Round 19)
Lethlean was full of praise for the big man, citing his resilience over a long period of time.
“He got his first chance in (over two) years, had two contested marks, 18 stats, and plenty of hit-outs against a guy who’s a really good player.
“Bellchambers is a well-established senior footballer with big impact, so to perform well against him was a big plus for Lewis, a credit to him for taking his opportunity and having a big go at it, and
“I’m really pleased for
“It’ll be a much different conversation at list management committee this week about Lewis than it would have been if he hadn’t played. Lewis has done himself no disservice by playing a good game against a good ruckman.”
In this week’s episode…
Host Clair White is once again joined by St Kilda General Manager of Football Simon Lethlean to discuss the Nathan Brown bump, the inner workings of the Tribunal, the mood at the Saints, Player Manager visits to RSEA Park, a host of younger Saints including Ben Paton, Hugh Goddard and Darren Minchington, Lewis Pierce’s impact and the implications of his comeback performance, and Dylan Roberton’s return to full training.
Episode guide
0:29 – Nathan Brown & the Tribunal
3:22 – Current mood at St Kilda
5:52 – Player Manager visits to RSEA Park
7:59 – Saints yet to debut
10:34 – Ben Paton debut
11:08 – Hugh Goddard, Darren Minchington
12:14 – Lewis Pierce’s second game
13:48 – Pierce’s future
14:48 – Roberton returns
