Lyon says Saints need bravery to bank more AFL wins

Coach Ross Lyon has urged St Kilda to return to playing the brave football that saw them surprise early AFL ladder leaders before a recent slide.

The Saints take on Sydney on Thursday night at the SCG - where they haven't won since 2009 - hopeful of recapturing some consistency after two losses in their last three games.

Ominously, the match is Lance Franklin's 350th with the Swans superstar seemingly always saving his best for milestone games against St Kilda.

Sitting in fifth after leading back in round five, Lyon said the impressive early form had given them "money in the bank" but that wouldn't last long.

"We've had an enormous amount of injury but we find ourselves in pretty good shape, because we were brave enough to give everything with no guarantee," the coach said on Tuesday.

"We acknowledge two out of our last three weeks hasn't been great but we've got money in the bank.

"We've had a lot of deposits so we're not overly-stretched but we're agitated about getting back to our best version of ourselves and we'll see where that takes us."

Under then coach Brett Ratten, St Kilda were 8-3 coming off the bye last year but then faded dismally, only managing three more wins, and failed to make finals.

Lyon said his take from the outside on 2022 was that the team lost key personnel and then lost confidence and form, while this year was the opposite, with injured stars coming back into the side after missing early rounds.

"Our narrative has been those stars were missing, the same players were missing (in 2022), but we've able to win lots of games," he said.

"History, it doesn't predict ... but what I do know is that we need to get moving, we need to improve and continue to be emotionally brave, get up there and fight the fight."

Luckless midfielder Jack Billings won't be available for selection after suffering a grade two hamstring tear in the final minutes of his last VFL game which will sideline him for four to six weeks.

The 27-year-old already missed the first two months of the season due to a leg fracture.

"I spoke to Jack during the week - he was really close to selection," Lyon said.

"We feel for him as he’s worked his butt off, but hopefully he’s in good shape and comes back quick."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store