‘Enough is enough’: Combative Lyon ends press conference over contract questions

A combative Ross Lyon cut short his weekly press conference on Wednesday, declaring enough was enough when it came to questioning about the club’s list management and reports of player unrest.

While declaring he was delighted the Saints were in the hunt to retain star playmaker Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Lyon soon grew tired of the questioning about uncontracted players, ending the media opportunity when the focus turned to off-contract midfielder, Marcus Windhager.

The Age’s Money Talks column reported this week that Melbourne, Essendon and North Melbourne were keen on Windhager, whose negotiations with the Saints had slowed since an initial offer.

In a press conference on Wednesday that lasted just shy of six minutes, Lyon had earlier dismissed reports that key defender Callum Wilkie had become disillusioned by the club’s decision to offer multimillion-dollar contracts to rival players Tom De Koning and Leek Aleer – which are above market rates – while also pursuing West Coast young gun Harley Reid.

Lyon had also said on Nine’s Footy Classified (Nine is the owner of this masthead) on Tuesday night there was no substance to a report that the Saints had offered Reid a bombshell 12-year, $25 million deal. He reinforced that statement the morning after.

“I have never spoken to Harley Reid,” Lyon said.

When questioned whether the club’s list management team – led by Graeme Allan and Steve Silvagni – had offered that deal to Reid’s management, Lyon questioned the journalistic rigour behind the assertion.

“I am not sure that was done,” Lyon said.

SEN reported on Monday that Wilkie, skipper Jack Steele, ruckman Rowan Marshall – linked to Geelong – and Windhager could be part of a mass St Kilda exodus at the end of the season. It was also reported on Seven’s Agenda Setters that Wilkie, an All-Australian and contracted until the end of 2027, had become disenchanted with the club over its list management plans.

The Saints have offered De Koning a whopping $1.7 million a year deal, while Aleer is expected to be paid similar to Wilkie, the reigning best and fairest who has played 153 straight games.

Lyon told Footy Classified that Wilkie had called him to deny the story. Lyon maintained on Wednesday Wilkie had no issues.

“You know it’s not true, so nothing to get upset about,” he said.

Lyon then asked journalists whether they had asked Collingwood coach Craig McRae about the potential unrest at his club where several players have yet to agree to contract terms.

“Every club is in the market. I have heard the same noise, do you walk into McRae and ask him the same questions? And what did he say? Ah, you haven’t asked him yet. OK, so after you go and ask him, come back and ask me,” Lyon said.

When pressed on whether he would chat with his players about the reported unrest, Lyon replied: “I talk to my players every day … and they are private conversations.”

He then turned flippant.

“There is disenchantment with me. They said: ‘Ross, you can be a bit lighter, move a bit quicker, have some exciting training drills for us?’”

He said the Saints had been subjected to a “laundry list of half-baked stories”.

“There is not much credibility, to be honest,” he said.

The Saints are awaiting a response from Wanganeen-Milera, who could sign a two-year deal reportedly worth about $2.8 million to remain at Moorabbin. However, he is also weighing up long-term, lucrative offers to return home to South Australia and represent either the Crows or Power.

“To be honest, I feel like I sat on a national show last night that you guys all seemed to enjoy,” Lyon said.

“My position hasn’t changed. I am here to coach against Essendon. In the fullness of time, hopefully, we have really positive announcements. We love the fact we are in a fight for ‘Nas’. We love the fact we have a 22-year-old star of the competition. It’s a great space to be in.”

When attention turned to Windhager, who has been in good form, but is also off contract, Lyon interceded.

“Can I just put an over-arching statement? I am not here to go list management, pre-game, going into a Friday game. That’s not why we call this presser,” he said.

“That’s where you are heading again. I am not really prepared to dive into individuals that are either contracted or are out. I think enough is enough, to be honest. Thanks guys.”

The Saints have won their past three games behind the brilliance of Wanganeen-Milera, but have long been out of finals contention. They have a rare Friday night game, against struggling Essendon, at Marvel Stadium, which Lyon said they wanted more of.

“Of course, it’s exciting. We would like to earn the right to play more … you have to earn it, you have to play better footy, so we are on that journey, ultimately we will get there,” Lyon said earlier in his press conference.

“It’s a real opportunity for us.”

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