How a Shane Warne pep talk inspired St Kilda’s finals spot
He’s St Kilda’s biggest fan, but could Shane Warne have inspired the club’s first finals appearance since 2011? The King of Spin reveals the stirring speech he delivered to the success-starved Saints before they entered their Queensland hub.
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Spin king Shane Warne has revealed he delivered a hub pep talk to his beloved Saints who are finals bound for the first time since 2011.
Warne has been following the team from London and has offered his advice for the big match.
“I got on a zoom call when they first went into the bubble and I spoke to the team about touring life and being stuck away from home and everything,’’ Warne said.
“They seemed to like it and I gave them a few little things which I think they’ve implemented.
“I watch every single game over here and any good games I watch twice.
“(Rowan) Marshall, (Jack) Steele, this year there’s a couple of players that have just played unbelievable. (Dan) Butler’s been a great pick up.
“I still think a few of the big players have been a bit down on form. We need them to stand up this week. We need the senior big contracted players to stand up, when the heat is on.”
Warne next heads to Dubai for the IPL, and then hopes to return home after his duties finish on October 17.
St Kilda president Andrew Bassat is a good friend, as is Saints assistant coach Aaron Hamill.
“I think Andrew has done a terrific job at St Kilda behind the scenes and I’m more than happy to help out,’’ Warne said.
Warne said he wants to see a St Kilda premiership in his lifetime.
Born three years after the club won its only flag in 1966, the spin king would love to end the drought in 2020.
“We should have a couple of flags,’’ Warne said.
“Those three or four year periods — 08, 09, 10, 11 — I thought we were the best side in the competition.
“We had a tied grand final, we lost the grand final to Geelong, with the team we had there we should have won a couple of grand finals but unfortunately we weren’t good enough.
“I’m hoping in my lifetime I’ll get to see another one.”
One of Australia’s greatest ever cricketers, Warne has a clear message for the team as it heads into October’s finals series.
“When the pressure is on and it’s fever pitch and it’s intense, just ask yourself this question: What does the team need me to do right now?
“And lastly, effort is a choice.
“They’re my two things to finish on. Good luck to the Saints, do us proud and we’re all right behind you.”
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Originally published as How a Shane Warne pep talk inspired St Kilda’s finals spot