It had already been a year of coaching changes in the AFL, but Ross Lyon’s sudden departure from Fremantle on Tuesday caught must of us off guard.
He joins North Melbourne’s Brad Scott, Carlton’s Brendon Bolton and St Kilda’s Alan Richardson in failing to see out this season.
In some ways, Lyon’s departure makes a lot of sense – but the timing of it raises so many question marks.
To get to the bottom of it, we were joined in studio by Roar AFL expert and editor Stirling Coates on the Game of Codes podcast, as we tried to work out just what’s going on at Freo.
Listen to the discussion:
Lyon, originally an assistant with Richmond, Carlton and Sydney, joined St Kilda in 2007. He led the Saints to consecutive grand finals in 2009 and 2010 and, while he wasn’t able to win the flag, left with the highest winning percentage as a coach in club history.
His departure, however, was incredibly controversial. He sensationally defected to Fremantle after the 2011 season, blindsiding his old club and earning the vitriol of St Kilda supporters forever.
His first your years at the Dockers were superb, but four years of failure saw him shown the door earlier this week.
Visit our Game of Codes hub to catch the full episode and be sure to subscribe and review on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you’re listening.
Davros
Guest
Ross Lyon was a good appointment initially but his coaching style has a shelf life. As a Freo fan absolutely stoked that he's gone - alot going on behind the scenes regarding Lyon that we'll never know.
Larrikin
Roar Rookie
Lyon mumbles when he talks and quotes unsensible lines in speeches even when he was at the saint's yet freo thought it was a great idea to employ him as senior coach, dosent say much for the freo board does it
DingoGray
Roar Guru
If it’s that simple why was he given at 2 year extension during 2018???
PeteB
Roar Rookie
The Carlton members would never have accepted that. We’ve had enough of coaches with low scoring negative game plans that also result in not winning games of footy.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
We will see, these things eventually always come to light
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Port are doing it right now lol
Penster
Roar Guru
I think you're right and the adage "follow the money" - in this case memberships and reduced opportunity for commercial breaks due to low scoring matches - is likely to be a significant factor, although it doesn't explain the CEO going. The "unattractive football" has become a cliche for idiots to parrot, but Freo is the 3rd lowest for "points for" in the comp with only Melbourne and Gold Coast behind but they're 5th stingiest for points kicked against, behind Cats, Pies, Hawks & West Coast, which isn't bad company. Low scoring games was targeted by the AFL as an evil with the kick-in rule and 6-6-6 config designed to increase scoring (and therefore commercial breaks). Epic fail but hey, maybe Ross is a convenient scapegoat!
Nick
Roar Guru
My bad. harmless mistake. Add him to the list. It doesn't bode well for Lyon. Over a third of the coaches in the league have won flags. Not Lyon. People can blame the bounce of the ball all the live long day though.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You might like to read the comments of Reiwoldt, Dal Santo, Goddard...and...Pavlich, Fyfe, Walters, Brad Hill. The players that played under him have a different view of him than all of you who have no idea. Johnno, if Ross was so bad, why are you angry he left? That makes no sense.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
He was never coming to Carlton Pete. You’re the only one pushing that theory.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
The only thing surprising about this sacking is that it didn’t happen sooner.
WCE
Roar Rookie
What doesnt add up ?
Aus in Engerland
Guest
You say that... 'Coaches that win flags tend to be more sought after... Longmire, Hardwick, Simpson, Clarkson, Beveridge, Chris Scott…these are 6 coaches that will permanently sit above the pecking order than Lyon.' :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: You missed Premiership coach Worsfold. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
asd
Guest
the reality is he had 2 good lists to win a premiership and didnt win some coaches dont have a good list to start with
Nick
Roar Guru
That’s only because you subscribe to the theory Lyon is a sought after coach. Coaches that win flags tend to be more sought after than ones who lay waste to the game. Longmire, Hardwick, Simpson, Clarkson, Beveridge, Chris Scott…these are 6 coaches that will permanently sit above the pecking order than Lyon. Coaches who understood that beating the best required more than 68 points in a match, or to pin all hopes and dreams on the naturally inconsistent bounce of a ball. To those who think Lyon is an over-rated coach…this makes perfect sense. He wasn’t winning a flag. So sack him. Unfair on all concerned (including him) to keep him on board.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
It doesn’t add up because he was set for Carlton until Teague started winning too much. Will probably have to settle for Teagues mentor
Michael Boscarin
Guest
Congratulations, on a awesome stint @ f.f.c A golden parachute, $1million should ease the pain. Your, premiership hopes went out the window when Kepler Bradley was injured + unable to return. Brian lake, was the man that shut down your premiership tilt. Obviously going on to win a well deserved, norm smith. @ 81/1 Dead set champion. All the very best Rossy, investment property @ docklands. Should see you out mate. Close 2????casino for you????
dontknowaboutfootball
Guest
Nice of you to say, Paul. I've been missing your own contributions around these parts, by the way. Surely, tarrying with commentariat is more important than work, social life, mental health, etc.
Paul D
Roar Guru
You are one of the few sources of even handed info about Fremantle left on this site. I’m very inclined to agree and believe what you’ve outlined as being as close to the truth as we outsiders are likely to get
13th Man
Roar Rookie
All of those reasons are impacts of poor on field performance. His relations with the WA media was fine when they were winning games during his first four years. In the end footy is all about the results and he was not achieving the success that the club and the fans desire.