The remaining “hurdle” in Ross Lyon’s contract with St Kilda has been eased, paving the way for Lyon to be appointed the Saints’ new coach.
The Saints denied on Sunday that a deal had been finalised, but high-level sources with knowledge of the discussions said the two parties had been working towards a three-year contract.
Terms of the contract were agreed upon last week, but there had been one clause to address, although it did not relate to finances or Lyon’s behaviour. However, that issue was dealt with over the weekend, allowing Lyon to officially be appointed as coach as early as Monday.
Back in town: Ross Lyon’s expected appointment as St Kilda coach has the backing of former club stars, including Nick Riewoldt.Credit:Getty Images
Club powerbrokers and the 12 sponsors who comprise the “coach’s club”, a group of corporate heavyweights who are given special inner-sanctum access to the senior coach, including on game day, are preparing to be informed of the club’s decision.
Lyon, 55, is excited about returning to the senior coaching ranks, having led the Saints between 2007-11, and the Dockers from 2012 until his sacking through the 2019 season. The vacant Carlton job appeared his late last year, but that changed when the Blues’ board later decided Lyon had to complete the interview process with other candidates. Lyon opted not to take part.
He emerged as the Saints’ primary focus when Brett Ratten was sacked on October 13, and met with club president Andrew Bassat and chief executive Simon Lethlean at Bassat’s home four days later. He fronted the Saints’ board directors at Moorabbin two days after that.
In the hot seats: St Kilda chief executive Simon Lethlean (left) and president Andrew Bassat have been active in their pursuit of Ross Lyon.Credit:Getty Images
Lyon led the Saints into grand finals in 2009 and 2010, falling agonisingly short against Geelong in ’09 and in the initial clash against Collingwood in ’10, before the Saints were crunched in the replay. He also guided the Dockers into the 2013 grand final against Hawthorn.
Lyon is known for his demanding ways, both on players and his assistant coaches. However, his time away from coaching has given him time to reflect. The Saints, though, are after a figurehead who can provide a “ruthless” edge, a trait Bassat and Lethlean said was missing under Ratten, although they stressed this had not entirely been Ratten’s fault.
Geoff Walsh, a long-time club administrator, particularly at North Melbourne and Collingwood, was recently appointed the head of football, to add a no-nonsense dimension. He has also been involved in the Lyon pursuit.
The Saints have not won a flag since their lone success in 1966 – the competition’s longest drought.
A former Fitzroy player, Lyon’s coaching bedrock was his defensive philosophy, and he will tighten the Saints in this area. However, his teams often struggled to kick goals, and the game now demands a more free-flowing offensive system, particularly since the introduction of rule changes to encourage more attacking through the corridor.
Lyon’s expected appointment has the backing of former club stars whom he coached, including Ross Lyon, Brendon Goddard and Leigh Montagna. Jason Blake, another former player, now sits on the board.
“I’m keen. My heart’s been opened up to St Kilda through Andrew [Bassat] and Simon [Lethlean] and their board,” Lyon told Nine News last week.
“I don’t like the narrative around St Kilda. Maybe it’s deserved, but I think sometimes it’s a bit disrespectful. Hopefully, it can get to a point where I’m able to roll up the sleeves and help get in and change that.”
Lyon has worked in the construction industry and in the media, with Triple M and Footy Classified, since he left the Dockers.
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