‘Emotional’ Ross Lyon returns for a second stint as St Kilda’s coach, 11 years after leaving the controversial AFL club to join Fremantle. The Saints confirmed Lyon’s unusual return in a media statement on Monday under the headline “He’s Back”.
Club president Andrew Bassat told members of the Saints that he began talking to Lyon the day after former coach Brett Ratten was sacked.
Simon Lesleen, CEO of Lyon, Bassat and St Kilda, before a packed media conference at the Saints’ Moorabbin headquarters, attended by the club’s players, staff and new football manager Jeff Walsh.
The 55-year-old came within a point of the 2010 grand final draw against Collingwood after coaching them to within one point of their second premiership when they suffered a 56-point loss in the ensuing replay. He said he had left things unfinished at the club.
“When this opportunity presented itself, I reflected on the special bond and friendship I had with past players and staff members that I had maintained from 2007 until I left. [in 2011]’ said Lyon.
“When I announced how I felt about St Kilda at the board meeting, I got very emotional and it unlocked a lot of memories, ups and downs. It really proved that
On 14 October, Bassat and Lesleen held a press conference explaining that St Kilda had ruthlessly sacked Lyon’s predecessor, Brett Ratten, the night before. That happened less than 100 days after the club handed Ratten a contract extension.
“We have had extensive discussions with Ross over the last 10 days. He shared his vision for the future,” Basat said.
Lyon will officially start on November 1st, the same day Walsh will join the club. In a letter to members, Bassat said Lyon was appointed to develop a winning culture at the Saints.
“Ross’ unwavering pursuit of excellence on and off the field is exactly what we believe is needed to move this club forward,” Basat said. Although his reputation as a club speaks for itself, Ross has a clear passion for St Kilda and is determined to bring much-needed success to the club and its people.
“Ross aligns with our vision and his experience within the industry, particularly as someone with deep knowledge of St Kilda, should give our members a high level of confidence moving forward. is.”
Lyon are keen to build St Kilda’s credibility after being eliminated in the Grand Final twice during their last five-year tenure. The Saints are in the midst of the longest Premier League drought in the competition, dating back only to his VFL banner in 1966.
St Kilda’s treatment of Ratten has been labeled ‘disgraceful’ and ‘disrespectful’ by former A-League coach great Ernie Merrick, who spent most of the 2022 season as the club’s part-time coaching mentor.
Ratten’s dismissal was the result of a review of the football department in which Merrick continued to work in favor of the then-coach. Lyon said he was sacked as Fremantle coach in 2019.
Back in St Kilda, Lyon became his second full-time coach with the AFL club after a six-year hiatus from Carlton since David Parkin in 1991.
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