Ross Lyon and St Kilda boss busted in apparerent Brett Ratten mix-up

St Kilda and new coach Ross Lyon appeared to be in a mix-up about the way he was targeted following Brett Ratten’s shock axing.

Action from the Australian Football League match between the Gold Coast Suns and St Kilda Saints, held at Metricon Stadium, Carrara, Gold Coast. Photo of St Kilda coach Ross Lyon.

Ross Lyon says he is up for the fight as he was officially unveiled as St Kilda’s new head coach on Monday.

The club made several surprise admissions during Lyon’s first official press conference following reports he had held several meetings with club officials — including president Andrew Bassat, CEO Simon Lethlean, football director Jason Blake and new general manager of football Geoff Walsh — in recent days.

The 55-year-old has signed a four-year deal.

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Bassat was forced to defend the club’s handling of Brett Ratten’s shock axing and the timeline of events that led to the club turning towards Lyon.

There was an apparent mix-up between Bassat and Lyon during the press conference with the former Fremantle coach saying he had spoken with Bassat on the Thursday night “post the review”.

Bassat said on Friday, October 14, during a press conference confirming Ratten’s sacking that the club had not spoken to Lyon.

Bassat also said on Monday he contacted Lyon “immediately after” the Ratten press conference.

“The decision on our previous coach was made on the Thursday night of our board meeting,” Bassat said.

“The review had been very clear about what direction we needed and we gave Brett a chance to outline his vision. Parting ways with Brett was very painful and we thank him for everything he gave to our club.

Ross Lyon faces the press.

“Our first choice was Ross Lyon and we did run the risk of not getting him. I was in contact with him immediately after our last press conference and I am delighted that we have been able to get our man.”

Lyon later said: “Andrew contacted me after the Thursday night which he spoke to post the review”.

Lyon led St Kilda to grand finals in 2009-10.

He coached St Kilda to 76 wins from 121 games in charge during his first stint with the club.

Lyon also reflected on his ugly departure from the club 10 years ago.

He becomes the first coach to return to the same club he left since the 1980s.

“Once this opportunity opened, I’ve reflected on the special bonds and friendships with past players and staff that I have with former players and staff which I’ve maintained,” he said.

“When I left I got very emotional and I dropped an iron curtain. When I left I spoke about that moment I got very emotional and it sort of unleashed a lot of memories and there were a lot of highs and a lot of lows.”

Ratten steered the Saints to a finals appearance in 2020 but the Saints have missed the top eight in the two seasons since.

Lyon left St Kilda in late 2011 to join Fremantle in a move that took the AFL by surprise.

He coached Fremantle for eight seasons, where he led the Dockers to five preliminary final appearances and the 2013 Grand Final, which they lost to Hawthorn.

Lyon was sacked by the Dockers towards the end of the 2019 season after Fremantle missed finals for four consecutive seasons.

Ross Lyon (left) is St Kilda coach again.

He then moved into media roles across TV and radio but had expressed an interest to return to AFL senior coaching at some stage.

He was linked with the vacant coaching job at Essendon but chose not to go through the interview process.

St Kilda confirmed Lyon’s appointment in a letter to members on Monday.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to announce that Ross Lyon has been appointed as the Senior Coach of our men’s AFL program,” Bassat said in the statement to members.

“With more than 35 years’ experience in the AFL as a player, coach, analyst and commentator, Ross is one of the most widely respected senior coaches in the competition and brings a breadth of experience to the role.

“We have spent the last 10 days talking extensively to Ross. He has presented to our Board and met multiple times with myself, Simon Lethlean and Geoff Walsh to share his vision for the future of our program.

Lyon coached Fremantle after his first stint at the Saints. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“Ross emerged from our review as the primary target and it became clear in our discussions that he had the vision and characteristics that we need in our Senior Coach.

“Ross’ unwavering pursuit of on-field excellence and uncompromising standards are exactly what we believe we require to take this club forward.

“Importantly, Ross shares with you a love and passion for our club and he has a deep desire to see it respected and celebrated.

“The last few weeks have been incredibly difficult. As hard as it has been, the Board’s commitment is to drive sustainable success for our deserving and loyal supporters. We are confident that we have made the right decisions in pursuit of this goal.

“We are so thrilled to have Ross back at St Kilda, and I know that our members will be feeling hope and excitement for what is to come.”

St Kilda has the longest premiership drought of any team in the AFL, with their last triumph coming back in 1966.