‘Harden up’: AFL legend Matthew Lloyd’s advice for out of form Mattaes Phillipou

AFL great Matthew Lloyd has urged St Kilda young gun to ‘harden up’ after it was revealed the top 10 draft pick was happy to play a second week in the VFL.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 18: Mattaes Phillipou of the Saints attempts to mark during the round 10 AFL match between Euro-Yroke (the St Kilda Saints) and Walyalup (the Fremantle Dockers) at Marvel Stadium, on May 18, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Second-year St Kilda mid-forward Mattaes Phillipou has been urged to “harden up” after Ross Lyon’s claim he was happy to play VFL instead of senior football this weekend.

Phillipou was taken by St Kilda at pick 10 in the 2022 national draft and after a bright start to his debut season he tired and then has had little impact this year.

He was dropped last week but after Lyon brought him back into the midfield he won only four possessions with a goal in 86 minutes match time.

As Lyon conceded his midfield needed to improve to challenge the game’s best onball units he said Paddy Dow had been solid in his debut game for the club.

Unprompted, he revealed he had brought in Phillipou despite him being happy to find form in the VFL for a second straight week.

One of Phillipou’s managers recently hit out at Lyon on social media for “destroying” young forwards then apologised and deleted his X account.

Mattaes Phillipou struggled on Saturday night. Picture: Michael Klein

“Mattaes got an opportunity but didn’t grab it today,” Lyon said post-match.

“A bit frustrated. I know he’s better than what we’re seeing. He was happy to stay in the twos to play midfield again. But we thought we’d give him a midfield opportunity in the seniors because he’s part of the future of the club. Look, he didn’t deliver today, but I’m sure he will in time.”

Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd told Nine on Sunday he was bemused by Phillipou’s decision.

“What do you make of that though, about Phillipou? Do you say to Phillipou, ‘Hey, we want you to play forward, we can’t find a spot for you in the midfield, harden up’?

“Is Phillipou challenging the coaches saying, ‘I want midfield or I’ll play in the VFL’?”

Ross Lyon is sure Mattaes Phillipou will turn it around. Picture: Getty Images

St Kilda is yet to kick more than 15 goals in any game this year and has scores of 67, 67, 64, 53 and then 55 against the Dockers to fall to 3-7.

But Lyon again bristled at suggestions his team lacked mid-forward connection while missing Tim Membrey (managed) and Jack Higgins (suspension, available next week).

He was clear that the club’s midfield was not where it needed to be.

“I don’t think that’s the issue to be honest. What were we, 45 points at half time, we left a bit on the table. That is the least of our worries today. We want to get a bit better (with scoring) but that’s not why we lost the game today.

”There is some stuff to take out of it. But we walk away bitterly disappointed with our second half. We thought we were positive and played the right way in the first half but it just lays bare some of our weaknesses and our midfield, our ability to control the game. There is no secret but it’s going to take some time to turn it around in there, clearly.”