Defiant Ross Lyon says there will be no more scandals

Ross Lyon has defiantly claimed he holds “no fears” that any further harassment claims will be made against him.

Freemantle’s Ross Lyon fronts up to the media in Perth yesterday after the Dockers were confronted with more allegations about their head coach. Picture: Getty Images

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has defiantly claimed he holds “no fears” that any further behavioural or harassment claims will be made against him.

In an extraordinary press conference yesterday to end a dark week, Lyon was flanked by Fremantle president Dale Alcock and chief executive Steve Rosich, who declared the embattled coach had their full support.

With players including Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe watching on, Lyon apologised for the hurt an initial sexual harassment complaint that has created significant pressure on the club has caused.

The claim was settled last December amid reports of a payment up to six-figures but is subject to a confidentiality clause.

A second allegation of misbehaviour this week, which prompted speculation over Lyon’s future, forced Fremantle’s three most senior officials to address the concerns yesterday.

“I understand there is a lot of hurt occurring to our club, our members and partners and the wider AFL (and) in particular my family, the complainant and other people with the allegations being aired,” Lyon said.

“This really saddens me and I’m sorry to see this.”

Alcock also apologised to fans and sponsors for the scrutiny Fremantle is under as a result of the claims levelled against Lyon, though the most recent claim has been withdrawn by the complainant and will not be investigated by the AFL.

It relates to an alleged incident in a bar several years ago. Rosich was alerted to the matter by a man earlier this week and immediately advised the AFL’s integrity unit.

The man has subsequently withdrawn the complaint after several conversations with the Dockers and the league will not investigate.

“Regarding the second complaint that was aired last night, there’s been no complaint lodged and I encourage anyone who has been aggrieved to go through the integrity unit or any official authority where it’s appropriate, as this is fair for all concerned,” Lyon said.

But asked if he had concerns further complainants would come forward, or if he felt the need to come clean about any other matters, Lyon said: “Clearly, I feel I don’t need to.”

Exacerbating a week that began with a 77-point thrashing from Richmond, the Dockers were also forced to deal with an off-field incident involving former Hawthorn premiership player Bradley Hill, who is being investigated for offering a false name to police among other disciplinary breaches.

In a further embarrassment for Fremantle, the Dockers were unaware of Hill’s alleged misdemeanours until alerted by the press on Thursday.

Amid the tsunami of negativity, there was a report former West Coast great and ex-Fremantle senior assistant coach Peter Sumich had been approached by the Dockers to be on standby to replace Lyon.

Alcock and Rosich categorically denied they had given any consideration to replacing Lyon, who led the Dockers to their sole grand final appearance in 2013.

Alcock said that, if anything, Lyon appeared more focused on his role. The Dockers are a win outside the eight in 12th position ahead of a match against St Kilda tonight in Perth.

“We could not ask for greater focus from our coach given this situation,” Alcock said. “Ross has never been more focused than this season with a great young crew we are developing up at Fremantle.”

In a conference short on specifics given the confidentiality clause regarding the initial claim, Lyon repeatedly defended his reputation and coaching record.

“I’ve built a strong reputation over 22 years of coaching in the AFL I’m proud of and I’ll continue to protect it,” he said. “It’s been hard-fought and hard-earned and I stand by my record.”

The 51-year-old, who coached St Kilda to grand final appearances in 2009 and 2010 but left for Fremantle in contentious circumstances at the end of 2011, said he had never contemplated standing down.

“It’s a really difficult situation, but at no stage have I questioned my coaching, my commitment to this club,” he said. “Fremantle has been amazing to me. I think I’ve paid that back in spades and currently it’s as harmonious an environment with our coaching and playing group (as we’ve had) and that’s an indicator of success around the corner for us.”

The Dockers will monitor the situation with Hill, who was pulled aside by police after attempting to cut a queue at a Scarborough bar by jumping a fence. An investigation is under way as to whether he used a false name with police.