Ross Lyon will again meet with St Kilda officials as he closes in on an extraordinary coaching return to the AFL club he dramatically walked out on 11 years ago.
The 55-year-old has become St Kilda’s preferred coaching candidate after the Saints last Friday sacked Brett Ratten, less than 100 days after giving him a two-year contract extension.
Lyon met with with Saints president Andrew Bassat and chief executive Simon Lethlean for four hours on Monday.
The parties will sit down again this week to further discuss the unlikely reunion.
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Lyon coached St Kilda to grand finals in 2009 and 2010 before his bombshell defection to Fremantle at the end of 2011.
Ross Lyon (Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
In one of the biggest AFL stories this century, the Dockers abruptly dumped Mark Harvey as coach before 24 hours later naming Lyon as their new leader.
Lyon led the Fremantle to the club’s first and only grand final appearance in 2013 but was sacked in late-2019, having missed the finals in four consecutive seasons.
He has since held media roles and spent time focusing on business interests.
If Lyon does return to St Kilda, he would be the first coach since David Parkin in 1991 following a six-year break from Carlton to have a second full-time stint in charge of an AFL club.
Dejected St Kilda players walk from the ground. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
James Hird was forced to sit out the 2014 season as a result of Essendon’s supplements saga but never actually quit the Bombers.
Lyon said on Monday it was a “delicate time” and claimed he was still weighing up if he wanted to coach again after three years out of the system.
“It’s a big step isn’t it … we just had initial discussions,” Lyon told the Seven Network, adding he had an interest in the role “otherwise I wouldn’t come and meet”.
A number of retired St Kilda heroes, including Brendon Goddard and Stephen Milne, have come out in support of Lyon returning to Moorabbin.
Since Lyon led St Kilda to four-straight finals appearances between 2008 and 2011, the Saints have made the top-eight just once – a fifth-place finish in 2020.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Absolutely Charlie. Arrogance without substance. He reminds me of the players and administration of a club in Western Sydney
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Yeah exactly mate I think they will lose half a dozen first twenty two players next year if they hire Ross
Birdman
Roar Rookie
The Saints players better learn how to understand 'Ross-speak'. A jargon-riddled, mostly incoherent babble. Good luck.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Fair enough. So many competing dynamics
ScottD
Roar Guru
Yes, it can't be argued that signing to that new deal was smart in hindsight
ScottD
Roar Guru
Yep, but too soft on the playing group is my observation
ScottD
Roar Guru
Doesn't the head of the footy department have responsibility for recruitment? I seem to remember recruitment of Hogan was Peter Bells baby not Ross's
ScottD
Roar Guru
That's just silly. Ross left St Kilda because they were dithering about offering him a new contract and Freo walked in the door with a great one. Who wouldn't leave an employer who didn't see his worth for one that did? You would have done exactly the same thing.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Yeah that’s exactly the issue Lyon has shown his allergic to going through a process where other candidates can put their best foot forward
George Apps
Roar Rookie
I think if St Kilda does it the right way from the start with Ross Lyon, and there's no guarantee of that happening from what we've seen so far, there could be a revival on the way. Collingwood showed us what was possible this year.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Great stuff. My favourite meat is Lamb. Roast, casserole, cold, loin chops, Yiros (only Adelaide and Melbourne Greeks know how to do it). Israelis and Greeks are the best cookers of it. ----- But l don't eat meat that often. My absolute fave protein is King George Whiting ofc.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Look forward to the 21st Dec & celebrating nature & all it has to offer. A fresh ki.l is on the cards post haste a pig & fresh beverages await :stoked:
Snowman
Roar Rookie
Great move saints,top 4 next year
ScottyJ
Roar Rookie
Nostradamus... :happy:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Hence the roast!!! I hadn’t connected roast meat with Yule before. I knew about the connection between Yule season and Odin. The fruits of the hunt. Smart guys coming up with fermented vegetables to eat with their roasted meats. ——- I love that Odin and Freija are the origins of Wednesday (Odin, Wodin, Wodin’s day) and Friday: the contraction of Freija Tag.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
What has Tassie done to deserve that. No way. Victoria needs to respect Heartland states.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Celebration of the Yule holiday :stoked:
theirishman
Roar Rookie
No joking matter, dude. I'd just about switch clubs!
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I tried hard not make the joke.
Clear as mud
Guest
Timmy Watson? Had he even been an assistant? Or was it Hafeyism mark 2, been coached by Sheeds, therefore must be able to coach?