A Press Conference Full of Deflection and Reflection
After a heart-wrenching one-point loss to the emotionally charged Adelaide Crows, Ross Lyon’s press conference was expected to be a must-watch event. And he delivered, as always, with his trademark flair and sharp wit.
When questioned about the unusual situation of the St Kilda Saints playing consecutive games at the Adelaide Oval, Lyon took the opportunity to turn the conversation back on the media. He dismissed the question with a light-hearted remark, saying, “Vagaries happen, consistently.” Then, he turned the tables by asking journalists about the Saints’ challenging schedule at the start of the season.
While Lyon’s media performance was entertaining, it’s clear that the real concerns for the coach lie elsewhere. The team is currently sitting in the red, having managed just two wins and four losses from their first six fixtures. Adding to the tension is the injury scare involving Tom de Koning, one of the club’s most expensive and valuable players.
De Koning suffered a lower back injury during a ruck contest in the second quarter. Given his history of back issues, the Saints will undoubtedly conduct scans on Monday to assess the extent of the damage. Despite the injury, De Koning played in sporadic patches, leaving veteran Rowan Marshall to take on much of the rucking responsibilities.
Lyon emphasized the need to look beyond the team’s win-loss record, highlighting their recent improvements. “Our best is very good, but we need more consistency,” he said. “If you take out win-loss, we’ve improved. But do we want more four points? Yeah. So, it’s a work-in-progress.”
He acknowledged the disappointment of not securing a win but stressed that the team isn’t devastated. “We’re hurting because we come here to win. We don’t come here to compete, we come in to win, but we didn’t get it done.”
Lyon also pointed out the inconsistency in a key area where the Saints have been strong throughout the season. “Those guys in our midfield will be hurting, and we know they’re better than that. But stress under load equals growth, right?”
When asked about their current record, Lyon quipped, “What are we, 2-4? Who did we play? Brisbane, they’re handy, they are back-to-back (premiers). Port Adelaide. Interstate, and then Adelaide. Did Adelaide play finals?” His comments reflected both the challenges the team has faced and the high expectations they carry.
With their recent stint in the city of churches now behind them, the Saints have a brief reprieve. They will face two weeks of Melbourne matches against struggling teams, West Coast and Carlton. This period could provide an opportunity for the team to regroup and build momentum heading into the next phase of the season.
