Updated
Ross Lyon has confirmed the Saints have pulled out of their hunt for Lions star Lachie Neale and also endorsed assistant Corey Enright’s links to the vacant Carlton coaching job.
Ross Lyon and Lachie Neale during Round 23 between Fremantle and Collingwood at Optus Stadium on August 25, 2018. Photo: AFL Media
ROSS Lyon has decisively drawn the line in St Kilda’s pursuit of two-time Brisbane Brownlow medalist Lachie Neale.
Free agent Neal has met with several clubs as he weighs his options. Last week Lyon met with their former ward.
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But on Saturday Lyon admitted there would be no reunion with the two-time Brownlow Medal winner and Premiership star at Moorabbin.
“It’s just not possible for us because our young players are out of contract,” Lyon told reporters after St Kilda’s 13.9 (87) to 10.13 (73) win over Port Adelaide.
“Lachy and I spoke and he was brilliant. We didn’t miss the chance because we could have continued.”
“The relationship was strong and it could have been done if we had been able to do it, but we don’t have that ability.
“I didn’t want the center stage to be a noise for Laci, his club and us. We’re clearly out of the game, so it’s a done deal.”
Speaking on radio before the game, Lyon said Saints had decided to prioritize securing the signatures of their young midfield group, which includes youngster Darcy Wilson, who is out of contract, star Nasia Wanganin-Milera, whose two-year contract expires next year, and the much improved Hugo Garcia.
“We are officially withdrawing from the Latchi Neale race,” Lyon said. 3AW ahead of Saturday’s match against Port Adelaide.
“It’s not because we don’t value him and he wouldn’t be incredible, but we’re just not in a position to do that with our young midfielder and what we’re trying to do, take over and sign.”
“So Lachie knows it, Tom Petroro, his manager, knows it.
“He has a lot of fans and that’s great for Lachie and his personal situation: he chooses what’s best.”
Former Fremantle Lyon coach couldn’t resist taking a jab at current Neal coach Chris Fagan when discussing former Docker Neal’s potential departure from the Lions.
“I wasn’t thrilled when Chris met Lachie in Darwin when I was at the Dockers before he signed,” Lyon joked.
It is the latest blow in a long-running war of words between Saints and Fagan over luring players to their clubs.
Lyon also pledged his full support to Saints assistant Corey Enright, who is vying for Carlton’s vacant coaching job.
“We talk openly,” Lyon said of the relationship between him and aide Enright.
“Boris (Enright) said, ‘Frankly, I’m meeting them,’ and I said, ‘Mate, I’ll take you there.’
“So I really support, (we’ve) created a lot of opportunities at Saints that we want to do for all our people and see assistants become senior coaches.”
“If everything goes his way, no one will be more excited (than Lyon), but obviously we have some work to do today.”
Lachie Neil handles a handball during Brisbane’s match against Geelong in Round 10, 2026. Photo: Getty Images
Lyon downplayed talk of a succession plan between himself and Enright, instead emphasizing his own conscious decision to accelerate Enright’s development.
“I’ve brought him to a lot of meetings that don’t necessarily involve assistants, so hopefully that will help his development,” Lyon said.
“In my personal experience, when I happened to get a job in the AFL, I was not prepared for the relationship with the (general manager) football role, the media… so I let him into all the meetings, all the medial (discussions), all the list management, all the planning and shared a lot of my thoughts with him.”
With unlucky striker Max King progressing well from a hamstring injury, Lyon have tempered expectations of the 25-year-old’s imminent return.
“Zero,” Lyon replied when asked about Max King’s chances of playing next week against Geelong.
“He will play in the next few weeks.”