AFL 2023: AFL back call to leave Marvel Stadium roof open overnight despite Lyon’s criticism

Despite St Kilda coach Ross Lyon’s concerns over the Marvel Stadium roof being left open overnight before the Saints clash with the Roos, the AFL have stood by their match-day processes.

Lyon expressed his displeasure at the post-game press conference. Picture: Getty Images

The AFL has backed in its match-day process in the wake of a verbal attack from St Kilda coach Ross Lyon.

Lyon lashed the Marvel Stadium roof strategy following the Saints’ narrow victory over North Melbourne on Sunday, accusing the league of treating both teams “with contempt” by leaving the roof open overnight on Saturday night and into Sunday morning.

The AFL’s acting head of football Laura Kane made contact with St Kilda on Monday to reinforce the league’s process, which included closing the roof hours earlier than usual as inclement weather bore down on Melbourne late on Sunday morning.

“Normal procedure is for the stadium roof to be open before and after games, closing on a match day two and a half hours before the first bounce,” AFL and Marvel Stadium spokesman Jay Allen said on Monday.

Ross Lyon wasn’t happy with the state of the Marvel Stadium surface. Picture: Getty Images

“The roof is closed earlier if rain is forecast or if there are concerns of inclement weather.

“At (Sunday’s) St Kilda vs North Melbourne match the roof was closed at just after 11am – 5.5 hours before the game – due to concerns of inclement weather.

“The AFL football department has been in touch with St Kilda (on Monday) to discuss the concerns they raised post-match.”

An unprompted Lyon said after the game that St Kilda had been “disappointed” with the call, which he claimed had resulted in the ball resembling “a cake of soap for both teams”.

“I’m pretty sure if it was Essendon-Bulldogs on Friday night, they wouldn’t have left the (roof) open all night, all morning,” Lyon said on Sunday night.

“This ground is like a car park hard at the best of times and anyone that watched that game, the ability to pick (the ball) up, it was like a cake of soap for both teams, so (we’re) really disappointed.

Lyon expressed his displeasure at the post-game press conference. Picture: Getty Images

Lyon then said on Monday night that he had been “placated” by Kane’s explanation of the scenario, but urged the league to communicate more with clubs.

He refuted the suggestion the comments were a deflection tactic.

“I was a little bit riled … I don’t divert,” he said on Fox Footy.

“(Kane) got on the phone, and she explained the situation. They have a process - it’s imperfect … somehow, they realised the mist is coming in at 11(am) so they shut it.

“They’re trying to improve the process.”

Lyon said clubs “treat every game like a grand final” and encouraged the league to do the same.

“Just keep it shut,” he affirmed.

“We try and mitigate all risk.

“I understand the challenges of the turf. Was I emotive? Yeah. And probably as a boutique club ... you rail at times perhaps against a perceived injustice.

“Just communicate. I don’t like surprises game day.”