Veteran journalist exposes Ross Lyon’s damning coaching flaw

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has come under heavy fire with a veteran journalist highlight the flaw that spells disaster for his side.

Ross Lyon is under fire over his coaching style. Pic: Michael Klein

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has come under heavy fire with a veteran journalist highlighting the flaw that spells disaster for his side.

The Saints fell to Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on Saturday to make it five losses over their past six matches.

Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

While they got the edge over Collingwood in round two, their only other wins have come against Richmond and North Melbourne … the two teams placed last on the ladder.

With only three wins to their name, the Saints have fallen to 14th on the ladder after finishing the 2023 season in sixth with a 13-10 record.

The 17-point loss against the Dockers flattered the Saints as they were completely outplayed in front of their home fans with criticism coming in thick and fast for Lyon following the defeat.

Veteran journalist Rohan Connolly didn’t hold back any punches as he called out Lyon and his coaching style that spells disaster for the Saints.

“This needs to be said, I’ve got nothing against Ross but you simply can’t win a flag without being able to score and his teams consistantly don’t,” Connolly wrote on X.

“He’s had 13 completed seasons as a coach, in that time just once have his teams ranked any higher than seventh for points scored while nine times his teams have been ranked top six for fewest points conceded.”

Lyon’s coaching style isn’t getting it done. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Connolly pointed out that of the past 24 Grand Final winners, only twice has a team ranked lower than sixth for points scored reigned supreme.

“You have to be able to score at least respectively to be in the ball game and Lyon’s sides still don’t,” he wrote.

“Last year St Kilda (number 1 for fewest points against) was a dismal 15th for points scored. Even this season they’re ok defensively (sixth) but points scored? A lowly 14th.

“You can’t return this sort of discrepancy between attack and defence over that long a period and be believed when you say you really value attacking football and scoring.

“He doesn’t. And the numbers simply don’t stack up. He has to change.”

Hawthorn great Ben Dixon took aim at Lyon following the round 10 loss and questioned the coach’s ability to implement his message to the team.

“They’re not getting ambushed, but good coaches don’t tell, they teach - and that’s where I’m finding it hard for the players that they’ve got,” Dixon said.

The Saints are in serious strife in 2024. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

“He can coach, but if you can’t teach the players to do it on the field themselves … they would be the questions I’m asking, do the players actually understand what they’re executing on the field?”

“It’s a bit of a talent issue as well, and he knows that - he just identified that in his press conference,” Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson added.

Johnson also added that the style of play adopted by the Saints most of 2024 simply isn’t sustainable to win most games.

“Saints fans need to ask some questions around some scoring … you can’t be going on in this competition scoring 60 points per game” Johnson said.

The Saints will take on Melbourne next week and could fall to 3-8 on a season they entered full of hope following a finals run last year.

Lyon coached St Kilda to Grand Final defeats in 2009 and 2010, came up short in 2013 at Fremantle and returned to the Saints when Brett Ratten was sacked at the end of the 2022 season.

Originally published as Veteran journalist exposes Ross Lyon’s damning coaching flaw