Captain Callum Wilkie has backed manager Ross Lyon as the Saints consider a move for Lions star Lachie Neale.
Dan Butler, Callum Wilkie, Ross Lyon, Jack Sinclair and Mason Wood during the 2026 St Kilda team photo day at RSEA Park. Photo: AFL Photos
ROSS Lyon has been backed to turn on the charm and reunite with two-time Brownlow medalist Lachie Neale in St Kilda.
In the latest twist to Neil’s playing future, it has been revealed that Lyon will soon face the Brisbane superstar.
The former Lions captain is an unrestricted free agent after this season and speculation is swirling about what he will do.
His marriage publicly ended last summer and their children are now in Perth, further complicating his playing future.
Neil played under Lyon at Fremantle before moving to the Lions, where the star player is a two-time premiership player.
While Saints star Nasia Wanganin-Milera will reportedly be brought in to take part in Neil’s charm offensive, the stunning move comes as news to co-captain Callum Wilkie.
“Ross really has that aura – I know that first hand over the last four years,” Wilkie said Wednesday.
“He’s also quite funny and can convince a lot of people.
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“I didn’t have an invitation (to meet Neil) – no one involved me in anything.
“Maybe Nas will persuade him.”
Wilkie was speaking at Saints Members’ Day, where a crowd of fans watched training at RSEA Park ahead of Sunday’s farewell match against Essendon.
Max King was a welcome sight as the injured key forward trained in a fluorescent jersey before returning to the squad.
He has not played an AFL game since 2024 and Wilkie said King’s performance, despite repeated failures, had been first class.
“It’s great that he’s back in full training. Nobody is more eager to get out and play football than Max,” Wilkie said of his good friend.
“He is an important part of this football club. He’ll be a tremendous player for us when he comes back.”
Max King in the rooms before the Round 18 match between St Kilda and Sydney at Marvel Stadium on July 13, 2025. Photo: AFL Photos
“I’ve never seen a person with a better attitude towards rehab to go through what he went through.”
Injuries continue to plague the Saints. Fellow captain Jack Sinclair is out for several weeks with a calf problem and Tom De Koning is nursing broken ribs.
Rowan Marshall has a shoulder injury but is likely to be available for the Bombers.
Wilkie also had a few blows before the bye, including Max’s brother Ben kneeing the Saints defender in the back when they played Gold Coast in Darwin.
“I’m usually pretty good at not getting into fights. Dougal (Howard) and Jack Silvani actually gave me the ‘moz’ earlier this week – they said I’d never get hit,” Wilkie said of his fellow defenders.
“Oddly enough, Ben King’s knee went through.”
St Kilda are in 13th place with a 6-9 record. His success will be aided by not having to play outside Victoria.
“The wins and losses probably aren’t what we’d like, but we’re playing a lot better and more consistent than we were last year,” Wilkie said.
“We’ve got eight big weeks ahead of us… we obviously won’t be traveling anymore, so this is a great opportunity.
“We need to get to work, we need to get better. “From the feedback, we’re just missing a few things in games and it’s costing us a lot.”