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Lyon's first aim is to find a ruckman
. . . Yesterday, Ross Lyon, his successor at St Kilda, declared upon his confirmation as the club's new coach that recruiting a quality ruckman was one of his first priorities. But that player will not be Peter Everitt. The Saints have advised Hawthorn and Sydney that they have no interest in enticing their former ruckman back to Moorabbin. "I have to sit down with John Beveridge in recruiting," Lyon said. "But I would like to get another ruckman, another 200-plus hit-out ruckman. You would always like to get more numbers to go through the midfield, and forward pressure is an area I would like to add to as well."
The Article (+ Family Image 2) Michael Gleeson/TheAge RealFooty/12Oct06
Lyon tips Silvagni for assistant job ABCSport/12Oct06

Walls: Ross Lyon will win respect
Robert Walls has declared a hardened Ross Lyon will quickly earn respect as St Kilda coach. Walls, a key member of the Saints' coaching sub-committee, believes Lyon is perfectly suited to stepping into a cauldron of high-expectation at Moorabbin. "I'd back him taking on any team -- whatever the situation is," Walls said last night. "He's strong. He's his own person. He will earn respect with the way he goes about things."
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/12Oct06

Swans lose key strategists
The back-to-back AFL grand finalists have lost assistant Ross Lyon to the head coaching job at St Kilda only 48 hours after it was announced fellow Sydney assistant Peter Jonas was off to the Crows next season. The Swans have added ex-Brisbane assistant John Blakey for next year and should still have John Longmire's services but there is no disputing the impact that Lyon and Jonas have made at the 2005 premiers. Lyon has been in charge of the side's midfield brigade which has punched well above its weight during the last three seasons. Jonas is heading back to his hometown of Adelaide on a three-year deal after four seasons under Paul Roos in which he helped construct the best defence in this year's home and away competition.
The Article AAP/TheAge/11Oct06

Visions of Elle haunt Saints' new dawn
When a senior coach recently asked one of his assistants whether he would like to coach St Kilda, the assistant was quick to affirm his interest: "That's like being asked if you'd like to date Elle Macpherson." Ross Lyon's challenge is that while the St Kilda playing list looks as good as Elle, its beauty is no deeper than a Brighton tan and there is a need for significant surgery - not simply cosmetic nip 'n' tuck - if the forthright new coach is to secure the premiership that the board thought Grant Thomas incapable of delivering.
The Article Jake Niall/TheAge RealFooty/12Oct06

Swans offer Longmire new assistant role
Sydney is attempting to retain assistant coach John Longmire by offering him a new "super assistant" role after he was overlooked for the St Kilda senior job in favour of another member of the Sydney panel, Ross Lyon. If he accepts the new position, Longmire would be midfield coach, take charge of the squad between November and March and coach the team in the pre-season competition, allowing senior coach Paul Roos to concentrate on other areas such as the development of young players. Roos spoke to Longmire about the new role yesterday after Lyon's appointment. "We are obviously very keen for him to stay and we believe he would do a great job in that position," he said.
The Article Richard Hinds/TheAge RealFooty/12Oct06

Sensible Saints play it smart
For the first time since Stan Alves was coach, St Kilda has opted for substance over style. In appointing Ross Lyon as senior coach, the Saints did not promise the ride of our lives. Nor did they dare to be different. Given the chance to be bold and brash, they chose sensible and responsible. "We have grown up, I think, and realised what it takes to make good decisions," club president Rod Butterss told The Australian. "It wasn't about selling anything to anyone. It was about picking the most important person to lead our club." Four times in the last eight years, the St Kilda board has faced a choice over who best to coach its club. At the end of 1998, it plumped for Tim Watson, a revered Essendon champion, emerging television personality and complete coaching novice.
The Article Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/12Oct06

Ross Lyon is Saints' new coach
Ross Lyon is St Kilda's new coach. The surprise late candidate for the senior role was announced at a press conference at Moorabbin today. Lyon, 39, an assistant under Paul Roos at Sydney, beat a total of 52 candidates for the job, including favourite John Longmire . . . Lyon described St Kilda as being in the middle of an exciting period, having played in the last three finals series. "The challenge is to bridge the gap (to the pace-setting teams)," he said. Lyon said he would be able to bring to the club systems and structures he had learned in the past three years at Sydney. He said no decisions had yet been made on his support staff, although St Kilda president Rod Butters confirmed that Matt Rendell, an assistant under Thomas, had resigned and had declined to be interviewed for the senior position.
The Article (+ Lyon Family Image) HeraldSun/12Oct06

Ross worked with 5 Premiership coaches
. . . He may not have been front and square before, yet he knows the scene intimately having worked with six coaches at senior level, including five premiership coaches: Robert Walls (at Richmond), David Parkin and Denis Pagan (at Carlton) and Paul Roos (at Sydney), and alongside John Worsfold (at Carlton). There will be a distinct premiership flavour about his support team, too. Carlton champion Stephen Silvagni will be one of his assistants. Despite the fact Lyon described Silvagni as an associate yesterday, they are close friends from their time together at Carlton, and Silvagni has already declared his enthusiasm for a full-time assistant's role.
Ross makes most of late run Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/FoxFooty/12Oct06
Ross makes most of late run Mike Sheahan/TheAustralian/12Oct06

Lyon chasing tall timber for Saints
. . . He said no decisions had yet been made on his support staff although St Kilda president Rod Butters confirmed that Matt Rendell, an assistant under Thomas, had resigned and had declined to be interviewed for the senior position. Lyon said one of his first tasks would be to chase an experienced ruckman. But he refused to confirm whether or not he would try to lure Peter Everitt back to the club. Everitt is currently locked in a trade battle between Hawthorn and Sydney. Lyon played 127 games with Fitzroy and two games with Brisbane before he was forced out of the game through injury in 1995.
The Article AAP/TheAustralian/11Oct06

Lyon OK with Thomas praise
New St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says it was kind of former Saints coach Grant Thomas to offer warm praise of his successor. Lyon, who was appointed coach at Moorabbin on Wednesday in a three-year deal, spoke of Thomas' comments regarding him in that day's edition of the Herald Sun. "Clearly, I read the Herald Sun today and Grant was very gracious in his comments in endorsing me," Lyon said. Thomas had described the former Sydney assistant coach as a "fantastic fit" for the Saints. Lyon added that it wouldn't worry him if he met up with Thomas down the track. "He is part of the history. If that was to eventuate (having a chat with Thomas), I'd have no problem with that," he added.
The Article Matt Burgan/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/11Oct06

Lyon marches in for Saints
New St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says he will be meeting immediately with recruiting manager John Beveridge to assess the Saints' list during trade week. It will be vital for Lyon, 39, to get up to speed as quickly as possible because the trading period ends at 2pm on Friday. Lyon, who was an assistant coach with the Sydney Swans, has signed a three-year contract with the Saints. The club officially announced his appointment during a press conference at its Moorabbin base this afternoon. Lyon said his main challenge was to "bridge the gap" between the Saints and the AFL's top teams. He indicated that securing another ruckman was a priority for St Kilda. "I'm aiming to be successful," Lyon said.
The Article Scott Spits/TheAge RealFooty/11Oct06
Structure, Game Plan and Discipline 'saintsRrising' et al/saintsational.com

New Saints coach hunts for a ruckman
St Kilda have begun the hunt for a new ruckman after confirming the appointment of Sydney assistant Ross Lyon as head coach for the next three seasons. Lyon saw off challenges from favourite and fellow Swans assistant John Longmire, Western Bulldogs assistant Chris Bond and Collingwood assistant Guy McKenna in landing the plum role. He says a strong midfield is a priority for the Saints. "I'd like to get another ruckman, another 200-plus hit-out ruckman," he said. "You're always looking for numbers to go through the midfield and forward pressure is an area I'd like to add to as well." Lyon retired as a player in 1995 after 127 games for Fiztroy and Brisbane, and it was at the first club that he played with sacked Saints coach Grant Thomas.
The Article ABCSport/11Oct06

Lyon gone, Longmire offered higher duties
John Longmire will remain the coach-most-likely within the ranks of AFL assistants following yesterday's appointment of Ross Lyon to St Kilda, with Sydney planning a restructure of its football department to elevate Longmire as official understudy to senior coach Paul Roos. The job - if the Swans and Longmire can come to terms on a new contract - would give Longmire responsibility for running Sydney's pre-season training program, co-ordinating the coaching staff and taking charge of the senior team during next year's Wizard Cup.
The Article Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/12Oct06
Fight for Longmire, farewell to Lyon Richard Hinds/SydneyMorningHerald/12Oct06

Ross Lyon Interview
Q: The Saints have only had four debutants in the past two years. Is there a need for the next wave?
RL: You're always going to have organic growth long-term. You've got Raph Clarke and those kids and Leigh Fisher has come back this year. You need to develop those kids.
Saints' next wave begins (+ Family Image) Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/12Oct06

Lyon straight to work at St Kilda
New St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says he will be meeting immediately with recruiting manager John Beveridge to assess the Saints' list during trade week. Lyon, 39, who was an assistant coach with the Sydney Swans, has signed a three-year contract with the Saints. The club officially announced his appointment during a press conference at its Moorabbin base this afternoon. Lyon said his main challenge was to "bridge the gap" between the Saints and the AFL's top teams. He indicated that securing another ruckman was a priority for St Kilda.
The Article TheAge/SydneyMorningHerald/11Oct06

Lyon is Saints' new coach
. . . "I know what I want to implement and it's going to take time but I'm confident we'll be successful" . . . Lyon's overall experience, strong character and team emphasis won him the nod, even though he is quietly-spoken and does not have the profile of early favourite Longmire - the former head of the AFL Players' Association and the 1990 Coleman Medalist and Kangaroos' premiership player . . . He played under some of the game's most respected coaches including Robert Walls, David Parkin and Robert Shaw, although his career was plagued by injuries.
The Article Paul Gough/Sportal/saints.com.au/11Oct06
SEN interview of Ross Lyon as St Kilda Coach: summary of 'saintsRrising' saintsational.com
Lyon lands Saints job AAP/WASundayTimes/11Oct06

Lyon surveys the road ahead
. . . "I've always been, within myself, confident that every time I've needed an opportunity it has presented and it's been no different on this case." Asked if there was any truth in the perception of him as a 'hard-nosed' coach, Lyon responded: "Is it really? That's lovely," Lyon said. "Again, I think we all mellow . . . but as you evolve you become more experienced and skilled in man management and a wonderful piece of the Sydney Football Club - and I don't want to talk about them too much - but has been the empowerment of the players and so we'll be going down that path." On the issue of St Kilda's prospects for next year, Lyon said he was "aiming to be successful" rather than promising a top four spot in 2007. "The expectation is to get a really solid pre-season behind us and under the belt, because if you don't do that, it doesn't matter what talent you've got on your list, you don't go anywhere," Lyon said.
The Article Matt Burgan/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/11Oct06

Ross Lyon is Saints new coach
Lyon, the surprise late candidate for the senior role, was announced at a press conference at Moorabbin today. He has signed a three-year contract. Lyon, 39, an assistant under Paul Roos at Sydney, beat a total of 52 candidates for the job, including favourite John Longmire. He succeeds Grant Thomas, who was controversially sacked just days after the Saints were dumped out in the opening week of the finals by Melbourne. Lyon said that one of his first tasks at St Kilda would be to reunite the playing group, many of whom had enjoyed very close personal relationships with Thomas.
The Article HeraldSun/11Oct06

The wraps are for Lyon . . . post his 'leaked' appoint
It is interesting the 'vibe' that is being spoken about Lyon post 'news' of his getting the job. The consensus seems to be that yes that he was a 'sleeper' . . . but that in hindsight that he is an excellent candidate. Not a bad word from anyone and only positives, including from GT (examples included in post) . . . and not just lip service either but genuine praise and knowing nods. The saints Board and Coaching Panel have done what they said . . . to go through a process to look at every possible candidate to secure the best available coach. Since Lyon almost had an assistant job with us last year he was obviously known to the Saints as a candidate . . . so this and GT's own words should quell that Lyon is just a Wall's selection of a mate.
The Post 'saintsRrising' saintsational.com
Lyon leaps to front as Saints' pick for coach Michael Gleeson and Jake Niall/TheAge/WestAustralian/11Oct06

Lyon for Saints job
Sydney Swans assistant coach Ross Lyon is reported to have been chosen as St Kilda's new senior coach. The Saints' coaching sub-committee is believed to have approved Lyon's appointment over Western Bulldogs assistant coach Chris Bond, Collingwood assistant Guy McKenna and another of the Swans, John Longmire, and it is expected that the club will announce the decision on Wednesday. Longmire was the early favourite to replace Grant Thomas who was sacked by the St Kilda board after the club failed to make an impact in the finals, but Lyon's experience has seen him win the role. It has been reported that Thomas is pleased with his chosen replacement. The two know each other from when they played together in 1985 - Thomas's last year and Lyon's first year at Fitzroy. Lyon, 39, has a low profile but is a highly experienced coach. He joined the Swans in 2004 as their midfield coach under Paul Roos. He had previously worked as an assistant and reserves coach under premiership coaches Robert Walls, Denis Pagan, David Parkin, and John Worsfold. He also played 127 games and kicked 112 goals between 1985 and 1994 at Fitzroy.
The Article Naomi Levin/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/11Oct06
Saints like Ross the boss Sportal/11Oct06

St Kilda endorses Swan Lyon as its new senior coach
St Kilda is understood to have chosen Sydney assistant Ross Lyon to be its next senior coach, with an announcement expected to be made as soon as today . . . Two St Kilda assistant coaches from this season, Matt Rendell and Mick McGuane, have resigned from the club this week in the wake of Grant Thomas' sacking. Jason Cripps and Jason Mifsud are both still at the club awaiting the appointment of the senior coach before learning their fate. Cripps was married on the Whitsundays at the weekend and begins his honeymoon uncertain of whether he will return to a job.
The Article Michael Gleeson and Jake Niall/TheAge RealFooty/11Oct06

Lyon joins a long line of Lions
Chris Johnson might be the only surviving Fitzroy player left when the 2007 AFL season gets underway next year but the legacy of the 'Royboys' continues to grow following the appointment of former player Ross Lyon as St Kilda's new coach on Wednesday. Lyon joins his former teammate and the man under whom he has served as an assistant in the past three years - Sydney's Paul Roos - as former Fitzroy players now in charge of AFL clubs. But the influence of Fitzroy, which has not been part of the competition in its own right since 1996, on the modern-day AFL is far greater than just having two of its members now coaching AFL clubs.
The Article Paul Gough/Sportal/saints.com.au/11Oct06

Riewoldt withdaws from Ireland Tour?
. . . Sheedy said. "I'd like to see Nick Riewoldt go but if he can't go we have to move on to another player and that player is going to have to be reasonably tall because we had Riewoldt playing as a running-ruck . . . "
Voss off to Ireland Sportal/12Oct06
Riewoldt replaced with Fevola AAP/HeraldSun/12Oct06
Roo Injured 'Saint Corin' et al/saintsational.com
Note: From other reports on Radio today it is likely that Nick Riewoldt is in fact not injured and has withdrawn from the IR tour to start training with the Saints squad. Tomorrows press articles should provide more factual details than these flimsy reports. Read the saintsational.com thread above. Ed.

Saints edge closer to new coach
St Kilda is edging closer to its new coach with a second round of interviews completed at the weekend. The Saints sub-committee met the four remaining candidates - John Longmire, Chris Bond, Ross Lyon and Guy McKenna - for a second time but is yet to cut back that list. Despite trade week beginning today, St Kilda president Rod Butterss said the club was in no rush to make a decision. "We have progressed nicely," Butterss said. "We've had a round of second interviews and we are progressing very nicely. We are still going through our deliberations of the entire group and it is a bit early to say when we'll be ready (to make an appointment)."
The Article Scott Gullan/HeraldSun/09Oct06
St Kilda Coaching Candidates
Before and after their interviews at Moorabbin (FoxFooty)

Grant Thomas happy with Ross Lyon as St Kilda Coach
Ross Lyon has emerged as the white-hot favourite to coach St Kilda next year, a move backed by sacked coach Grant Thomas. St Kilda president Rod Butterss offered a firm "no comment" when asked yesterday afternoon whether Lyon was to take the reins. But it is understood Lyon, an assistant coach at Sydney, will be named today or tomorrow. As of late last night the other candidates - Bulldogs assistant coach Chris Bond, Swans assistant coach John Longmire and Collingwood's Guy McKenna, had not heard from the club. If Lyon is to win the St Kilda job as expected, no one will be happier than the man he replaces. Thomas last night said the Saints would be in expert hands under Lyon's control, and that he would feel both pleased and vindicated. The former coach confirmed he had tried to lure Lyon from Sydney to Moorabbin a year ago. He made a two-hour pitch to Lyon at his Brighton home soon after the season, finally offering him a senior role.
Ross Lyon favourite for Saints' job Mike Sheahan and Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/11Oct06

Lyon exits Swans to take reins at Saints
Sydney assistant coach Ross Lyon is today expected to be announced as the new senior coach of St Kilda, replacing the recently sacked Grant Thomas. Lyon is believed to have got the nod last night ahead of Western Bulldogs assistant coach Chris Bond after the Saints' coaching sub-committee and board were split in their choice of Thomas's successor . . . Lyon has had a long apprenticeship since retiring as a player because of a knee injury in 1995. He played 127 games for Fitzroy and less than a handful for Brisbane. He was an assistant coach at Richmond for four years before moving to Carlton for three years.
The Article Greg Denham/TheAustralian/11Oct06
Swan Lyon set for Saints Greg Denham/TheAustralian/11Oct06
Swan Lyon set for St Kilda TownsvilleBulletin/11Oct06
It's Saint Ross SydneyMorningHerald/11Oct06

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