AFL legend Tim Watson says he is “surprised” the St Kilda hierarchy wasn’t made aware of Ross Lyon’s controversial training comment, and the fact the veteran coach offered to quit if his players wished him to, until just before it was made public on Monday.
It comes as Lyon’s former player Michael Walters joined current Saints star Brad Hill in defending the coach following Monday’s revelation.
On Seven’s Agenda Setters on Monday night, veteran journalist Caroline Wilson reported Lyon’s remark upset a number of the club’s Indigenous players and he later told them he would stand down from the job if that’s what they wanted.
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During a training session early this season, Lyon reportedly said, “I love the brother boy connection, but we all have to remember we are part of a bigger team here”, as three Indigenous players were side by side while taking part in a drill.
The comment was heard by several players and veteran Indigenous star Hill later called Lyon to explain why the remark could be taken as racist.
Ross Lyon speaks to players including Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera. Getty
Lyon reportedly then organised a team meeting for the Monday – which was meant to be a day off – at which he “became emotional” and explained he hadn’t meant it in a racist way, and offered to quit if that’s what the players wanted.
On SEN radio on Tuesday, Saints CEO Carl Dilena revealed he had no idea about the incident, and Lyon’s offer to quit the job, until shortly before the story aired on Monday night.
“It shows that he’s running a pretty safe environment with our First Nations boys where they were comfortable to raise it with him, discuss it and sort it out harmoniously,” he said.
“They sorted it out between themselves like any mishap.”
But former Essendon captain Watson wondered why the club’s boss would not be kept in the loop from the get-go.
“He understood the seriousness of it,” Watson said of Lyon.
“It is something you have to address, if a group of your players are upset by words you have chosen you do have to address it.
Ross Lyon speaks to media. Nine
“I’m a little bit surprised, though, that the CEO of the club didn’t know about this. I am surprised about that.
“Because I think when you have a discussion like this within your football club, and you’ve got your coach saying ‘if we can’t resolve this I’m willing to walk away’ – whatever words that he chose – I think it’s something then that the club needs to have known about at the highest level.”
Lyon was door-stopped by several journalists when he arrived at Saints HQ on Tuesday.
“Culture is really important, and behaviour is really important,” he said.
“I made an error, unintentionally. I resolved it with my players and I’m thankful for their support.”
Hill on Monday night took to Instagram to defend Lyon following the story airing.
It was a photo of he and teammate Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera with their arms around Lyon, and the caption, “Sorry Caro (Wilson) but we love Ross”.
Brad Hill’s Instagram post about St Kilda coach Ross Lyon. Instagram
Hill also tagged teammates Wanganeen-Milera, Liam Ryan, Liam Henry, Lance Collard, Isaac Keeler, and Marcus Windhager.
Later on Tuesday, former Fremantle star Walters explained his close relationship with Lyon during their time at the Dockers.
“I’m a big advocate for Ross, not only him as a coach, but just him as a person,” Walters said on Triple M’s Xav & Katie.
“And I was there first, and I’ve seen it on numerous occasions, the way tries to delve into the Indigenous culture and tries to learn as much as he can about it.
“I essentially owe my career to Ross.”
Lyon has been a head coach in the AFL for almost 20 years and took the reins of St Kilda in 2023.
They sit 12th on the AFL ladder with three wins to date this season, and next face Carlton on Saturday night.
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