They've had some injury issues (and now they've lost Fyfe as well) but this really looks like Lyon's St Kilda all over again. This game style of manic pressing and grinding out results by only kicking 12 goals but keeping the opposition to 7 or 8 works for a few seasons, but it's incredibly wearing on the players, physically and mentally. The game plan itself requires the older, stronger bodies as well, so the younger players tend to miss out as Ross continues to rely on the seasoned pros to make it work.
They may still turn it around this year, but top 4 is looking very unlikely now.
In many ways, Ross-ball works for him except at the very top end. The Saints played finals for a few seasons and made 3 grannies (if you count the replay against Collingwood) and Freo have a similar record in recent years, but the style eventually takes its toll. He was only recently signed up to a long term contract too, wasn't he?
