Garry Lyon: From Melbourne Football Club star to high-profile media performer

THANKS to a stellar career at Melbourne Football Club and high-profile media roles, Garry Lyon has been a household name for almost 30 years. PICTURE GALLERY

Garry Lyon after he was announced as coach of the Australian International Rules team in 2001.

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A STELLAR career at Melbourne Football Club followed by high-profile media roles means that Garry Lyon has been a household name for almost 30 years.

Lyon, now 48, began his career with the Demons in 1986 after being recruited from Kyabram. The Devonport-born forward played 226 games and kicked 426 goals in the red and blue, making him one of the club’s all-time greats.

He was appointed captain in 1991 and played until 1999, often with severe back pain in the latter stages of his career. In 1990 and 1994, Lyon won the Keith “Bluey” Truscott Medal for the best-and fairest player at the club.

He is also a three-time all-Australian player and played for Victoria 10 times.

Lyon has often resisted calls to join the AFL club coaching ranks, instead coaching juniors and the International Rules teams.

Lyon’s media career began soon after his playing days, signing first for radio 3AW.

Garry Lyon is congratulated by his coach John Northey after scoring the winning goal in the 1988 Elimination Final.

Jim Stynes, Garry Lyon, Steven Stretch and Peter Rohde celebrate a win in 1989. Picture: Norm Oorloff

Garry Lyon with then-fiance Melissa Snow in 1991.

The Big V: Stephen Silvagni, Garry Lyon, Gary Ablett, David Neitz and Jim Stynes during a clash against South Australia in 1995. Picture: Brett Faulkner

Garry Lyon bursts through a Shannon Grant tackle in 1998.

Melbourne's Russell Robertson, Garry Lyon and Jeff Farmer sing the club song after a 1998 Semi-Final win.

Garry Lyon contests with Mick Martyn for the ball.

Garry Lyon reads to his children Josh, Ben and Thomas.

Footballer Garry Lyon with his children doing lap of honour in 1999.

Garry Lyon strikes a pose in 1999.

Garry Lyon wears an ice pack.

Garry Lyon and Billy Brownless.

The Footy Show’s Billy Brownless, Sam Newman, Garry Lyon and James Brayshaw in 2014.

Garry Lyon filming Bulger MD for The Footy Show.

Garry Lyon dives for a mark ion the 1998 preliminary final.

His TV profile really took off as the host with the Sunday Footy Show and in 2006 moved to the flagship Thursday night Footy Show with James Brayshaw after long-time compere Eddie Maguire left to become network chief executive.

Along the way, he and Billy Brownless have appeared regularly together as part of the Footy Show ensemble. They took part in many stunts and appearances for more than 10 years.

Lyon has worked at SEN, is the co-host of Footy Classified on Channel 9, a Triple M commentator and is a columnist at The Age.

Footy Show veteran Sam Newman and Lyon walked the Kokoda Track together in 2013.

Lyon married Melissa Snow, originally from Inverloch, in 1993, and who is the mother of their three boys.

They split in 2006 but reports of reconciliations apparently failed.

With Felice Arena, Lyon wrote a series of eight successful children’s novels, based on fictional character Specky Magee.

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