AFL 2023: Ross Lyon says his relationship with CEO Simon Lethlean is ‘fine’

Ross Lyon says ‘not everyone is comfortable with change’ after he brought in a new off-field regime at St Kilda following reports of a growing rift with CEO Simon Lethlean.

Ross Lyon, Senior Coach of the Saints.

Ross Lyon has denied there is a growing rift within St Kilda but he admits the change he has brought to the club in his second stint as coach may have made some staff uncomfortable.

Lyon categorised his relationship with chief executive Simon Lethlean as “fine” after media reports this week suggested the pair weren’t as tight as they should be.

Upon his return as senior coach at Moorabbin, Lyon upended much of the football department and he admitted his “new regime” could have left some inside the club uneasy.

The Saints started brilliantly by winning their first four games this year but have gone 5-8 since, with their spot in the top eight under jeopardy heading into the final weeks of the season.

“Clearly when I’ve been transitioning into the club, there has been a new regime in football,” Lyon said.

“Things are done differently and there are changes, teams are disbanded.

“There has been some change and with change, I wouldn’t say there is unhappiness but sometimes not everyone is comfortable with change.

“From my end and Simon’s end, we are fine. We have common friends and people professionally we have worked with.”

St Kilda CEO Simon Lethlean with coach Ross Lyon. Picture: Michael Klein

When asked if his relationship with Lethlean was strong enough, Lyon said “I think so”.

Figures within St Kilda were surprised at reports of a rift between the pair.

“I haven’t had one raised word with Simon since I have been here so that is the truth, or Simon with me to be truthful,” Lyon said.

The Saints coach forecast a raft of changes this week after a disappointing defeat on the Gold Coast last weekend.

He said goalkicker Jack Higgins (knee) would come back in to face lowly North Melbourne on Sunday, while Jack Billings (thumb) would come back in if he could prove his fitness.

Tall Jack Hayes is under consideration after foot and hamstring issues kept him sidelined for the entire season so far, as Lyon searches for more scoreboard impact. The Saints have kicked exactly eight goals in three of their past four matches.

“We are a conundrum, we move the ball really well typically all year from one end of the ground to the other, so I don’t think we are stodgy from that respect,” he said.

Originally published as AFL 2023: Ross Lyon says his relationship with CEO Simon Lethlean is ‘fine’