FIND out what’s being said about the club in the major daily newspapers on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Herald Sun
Behind scenes play has impact
By Mike Sheahan
THE name Dave Misson may not mean much to anyone outside the confines of the St Kilda Football Club, yet his defection to Melbourne makes a resounding impact on football's Richter scale. Do not underestimate the importance of a club's elite performance manager in the modern game. Particularly a man who performed a similar function with Sydney in that club's Grand Final years of 2005-06. The Swans, remember, made one change in two months on the way to the 2005 premiership. Misson was recruited to St Kilda by recently departed coach Ross Lyon, who had worked with him at the Swans in '05-06.
Demons snare Saint Misson
By Mark Robinson
MELBOURNE'S new elite performance manager, David Misson, did not quit the embattled Saints because good friend Ross Lyon defected to Fremantle. Misson said yesterday he was looking for a new challenge and Lyon's decision did not prompt him. "Horsy (Lyon) and I had a really close relationship and it was disappointing he was going, but at the same token I was looking at a bit of change myself to be honest," he said. He said he did not consider following Lyon to Perth. "My wife has a pretty good job in Melbourne (principal of Melbourne Girls' Grammar) and my kids would never let me forget it if we moved away from Melbourne," he said. Misson met new Demons coach Mark Neeld for the first time yesterday, along with chief executive Cameron Schwab, and agreed to switch clubs, working in the same role as he had at St Kilda. It's understood the Demons first contacted Misson last week, as Lyon was quitting St Kilda to join the Dockers.
The Age
Connolly out of football department as Dees change tack
By Michael Gleeson
DAYS after appointing a new senior coach, Melbourne has cleaned out its football department, moving football boss Chris Connolly out of the department altogether, and parting ways with two assistant coaches and the fitness adviser. Connolly has moved out of the football offices at AAMI Park and into the club's administration at the MCG across the road, as part of his shift from general manager of football into a commercial role of helping to ''grow the club''. The Demons are hopeful of securing former Adelaide coach Neil Craig in an over-arching director of sport performance role, which would incorporate some elements of a football director as well as being a mentor to rookie coach Mark Neeld. Regardless of Craig's appointment, Josh Mahoney will move from being an assistant coach to become football manager.
The Australian
Lyon departure sparks Saints exodus
By Courtney Walsh
THE shock departure of Ross Lyon to Fremantle has sparked a domino effect at St Kilda, with its fitness guru and another assistant coach departing the club. On the day Lyon, who shocked the AFL with his stunning departure last Thursday, officially began duties with the Dockers, the Saints lost sports scientist Dave Misson to Melbourne. Assistant coach Peter Berbakov had earlier informed the Saints of his desire to return to Sydney. Misson has spent the past four years at St Kilda, which he joined after a six-season stint with the Swans. His ability to maintain the fitness of a core group of senior Swans was seen as pivotal to Sydney claiming its first flag in 72 seasons when denying West Coast in 2005. Melbourne's new senior coach Mark Neeld yesterday said he was delighted to secure Misson, who has also worked with the Australian cricket team. "He has an outstanding track record and is an outstanding person, with a skill set that will add plenty to the Melbourne Football Club," Neeld said.
