Final ‘hurdle’ removed in Saints’ pursuit of Lyon

[magnifisaint]

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/fin ... 5bqlm.html
Final ‘hurdle’ removed in Saints’ pursuit of Lyon
Jon Pierik
ByJon Pierik
October 23, 2022 — 1.09pm
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.
Back in town: Ross Lyon’s expected appointment as St Kilda coach has the backing of former club stars, including Nick Riewoldt.

Negotiations have also focused on who Lyon’s assistant coaches will be, as well as some key off-field positions. Movement among the current group of assistants is expected, but the recently appointed Lenny Hayes is certain to keep his job.

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.

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 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.

[Saintly66]

Cheers for that cobber

[St.Rob8]

So who is in the "Coach's Club" they refer to?

Plus this is great journalism:

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.

[1971]

I am glad that Ross Lyon has the backing of former player Ross Lyon .

[Rubyjo]

What was the final hurdle ..article didn't say ?

[st sandy]

Yes what was the "final hurdle"

Could be reporting lines?
Who does Ross report to?.
Footy manager Walsh or CEO Simon?
Of course Ross would like todo things his own way - but he must report to someone

[The_Dud]

Maybe they didn’t get a PM!

[magnifisaint]

I am glad that Ross Lyon has the backing of former player Ross Lyon .

Interesting. That's what was written!
Obviously seeking approval from himself.

[The G Train Legacy]

I can't see it only been a three year deal, that's what any rookie Coach gets. I would suspect the sticking point was the AFL's 6 month payout clause for Clubs getting assistance. There is no way Lyon would agree to that, so there may have been negotiations with the AFL. Perhaps the deal was, no more than 3 years without the 6 month Clause? I'm sure Lyon would want some say on his crew as well.

[WellardSaint]

Fox Sports are reporting gossip, saying
Corey Enright's future is unclear...
The reporter also says Ross is 'negotiating on some key off-field positions- Ben Jacobs-Development Coach, Roughead (footy ops assistant), Damian Carroll (head of develop+learning) and Nick Walsh (fitness+conditioning).

Tony says we were super fit in 2022 and credits Walsh with this, sung his praises.

Hope Walsh stays then.
Roughy can leave, I won't miss him.
The rest, I have no knowledge of them at all.
Hope Ross knows what he's doing.
The review might have examined the performance of each those.

I hope Ross doesn't just change guys for the sake of change?
Who does he know in footy who can do those jobs?
He better have done his homework

[The G Train Legacy]

...or Saynta got a petition going and they needed to appease Saynta first. Special access to confidential PMs and a BBQ at Bassat's place.

[WellardSaint]

...or Saynta got a petition going and they needed to appease Saynta first. Special access to confidential PMs and a BBQ at Bassat's place.

Is that necessary?
This is worse than a teenager on Facebook.
Be better

[The G Train Legacy]

Fox Sports are reporting gossip, saying
Corey Enright's future is unclear...
The reporter also says Ross is 'negotiating on some key off-field positions- Ben Jacobs-Development Coach, Roughead (footy ops assistant), Damian Carroll (head of develop+learning) and Nick Walsh (fitness+conditioning).

Tony says we were super fit in 2022 and credits Walsh with this, sung his praises.

Hope Walsh stays then.
Roughy can leave, I won't miss him.
The rest, I have no knowledge of them at all.
Hope Ross knows what he's doing.
The review might have examined the performance of each those.

I hope Ross doesn't just change guys for the sake of change?
Who does he know in footy who can do those jobs?
He better have done his homework

Apparently Corey Enright actually quit Geelong because he disagreed with the change in gameplan, the change that won them the Premiership. Not saying he can't coach, but if true, he got that one wrong.

[The G Train Legacy]

...or Saynta got a petition going and they needed to appease Saynta first. Special access to confidential PMs and a BBQ at Bassat's place.

Is that necessary?
This is worse than a teenager on Facebook.
Be better

It is obviously a joke. I'm assuming you don't believe I was stating it as a fact. Was it necessary? You could say that Saynta's manic dislike of our former and soon to be new Coach inspires satire.

[Teflon]

I’d prefer keep Enright abd Carrol
Roughead who cares
WTF you doing Ross Lyon I do not want you now…(I wanted you yesterday!!!!)

[B.M]

How the hell do we know who and why to keep anyone

Enright might be great, he might be rubbish?

No idea?!

What I would like is role clarity - WTF is some of them doing

Like seriously

What is Rougheads role - it sounds like he’s a bit of everything but actually nothing!

What was Sextons role?

What is Damien Carroll’s role? I know it’s development but what does he actually do?

What is Gubby Allen doing??

Wtf was the soccer bloke, or Billy Slater or Dermott actually doing?

It sounds like people are employed for the sake of it!!!

Here’s a good idea
Carroll Head of Development- Coach Sandringham and head the development program with Assistant coaches - who are also the development/skills coaches!

Jarrod Roughead - a champion forward at a successful club
Coach the forwards (or f*** off)

Corey Enright - a champion defender at a successful club
Coach the defenders

Lenny Hayes - a champion midfielder in a successful team coach the mids

Ross Lyon - a successful coach at two clubs - senior coach

Walsh - Head of Footy
Robbins - Psych - Head of Wellbeing
Brown - Welfare and runner
O Shaughnessy - Data Analyst
Rath - Strategy and Oppo Analyst

List Mgt - Gallagher - needs to be looked at.
Recruiting - Toce - I’d look elsewhere

There needs to be some streamlining and some change

[Rubyjo]

Ross the boss with the ear of past greats who are the DNA of the club and who want and are forcing change will know who doesn't belong and who has to go ...that's going to take time and negotiations.

[saynta]

I am glad that Ross Lyon has the backing of former player Ross Lyon .

yeah saw that.

[Yorkeys]

The Coach is dead,
Long live the Coach.

Meanwhile, the peasants are restless.

[magnifisaint]

[SaintPav]

Ross has porked up a bit.

[Scollop]

The Tweet headline reads "Second Coming"

I think I'm gunna throw up

[saintsRrising]

Apparently Corey Enright actually quit Geelong because he disagreed with the change in gameplan, the change that won them the Premiership. Not saying he can't coach, but if true, he got that one wrong.

I doubt that as the Cats actually became more attacking after we knocked them off. That mid-season change was key to their winning the Premiership this year. So Enright was long gone by then.

[Scollop]

The messiah coming back to save his disciples from their misery...or is he gunna deliver more snake oil and Kool-Aid?

[takeaway]

The Tweet headline reads "Second Coming"

I think I'm gunna throw up

Don't worry, Scolops, soon as Rossy loses a couple you'll be able to dust off your RTB archive box and "go to town".

My advice? Start a new box with a clean slate, ie no hindsight, perception biases or twisted logic. See where that takes you. You could re-label your now empty LLLT box (love Longy Long Time) and name it RTB 2?