Ross Lyon - ball winner to thug

[OldLion]

Lovely article in The Age, with Ross confessing that he got a little 'bitter and twisted' later on in the career and went headhunting, much to his parents' embarrassment.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/drawing-out-straight-lyon/2009/06/05/1243708628115.html

Lyon was a smart utility who became renowned for his hardness. Toughness which, he concedes, sometimes spilled over into unjustified aggression. "I came in a ball-winner and went out a thug," he smiles, ruefully. "I whacked one or two I'm embarrassed about."

Saints fans have really had to change their view on Ross - I had a number bagging him last year about 'trying to change the Saints' culture of attractive footy ' .. so how's a flag sound ?

They are clearly the best structured team - well done Ross.

 

[Roy Fitzlion]

Ross was never a thug but he did lose the plot for a couple of years. He doesn't mention the number of thugs who got him over the years, so he is still well behind in the "hit" rate!

I hope he puts the saints on the map with a couple of flags, he deserves it........let's review in 2012.

 

[Wonaeamirri33]

Maybe Roy, but the biggest potential drawback if St Kilda actually won would be the sheer insufferability of many of their posters on BF

 

[Roy Fitzlion]

Wona....I think I would not begrudge them their time in the sun........43 years is a long time!! But I would be more pleased for Rossy......he really is one of the genuine good guys!!

 

[Fat Pizza]

That was an interesting article. Lyon was very candid in his assessment of his performance as a player. He was always one of my favorite players, but I think he under-achieved at Fitzroy. 127 games for 112 goals in his 10 seasons with the Roys was not a great result for a player of his talent. I'm glad he's having success coaching the Saints & I'm proud he was a Royboy.

 

[Stocka]

I guess Lyon could be a bit enigmatic with his form, but he did also have his injuries worries, didn't he?

I suppose though, he did show potential to be better than he was, such as in 1992-1993, when he shone in a number of big games, as well as in a couple of state games that he was selected in.

 

[Fat Pizza]

I guess Lyon could be a bit enigmatic with his form, but he did also have his injuries worries, didn't he?

I suppose though, he did show potential to be better than he was, such as in 1992-1993, when he shone in a number of big games, as well as in a couple of state games that he was selected in.

I thought injuries were probably to blame & also the fact that he was so ferocious in his attack on the footy & anyone, who got in his way that it would have been impossible for him to keep up that intensity for 100 minutes. From his own admission in this article though, it seems his preparation wasn't always up to scratch. Maybe he'd have been a better player in this more professional era, with training during the day, rotation of players off the bench & more of a focus on recovery after games.

Lyon came through junior squads with the likes of Garry Lyon & Stephen Silvagni & I thought he showed more talent than any of them. He was still a good player, but his senior career didn't live up to that early promise.

 

[Roy Fitzlion]

=Stocka;14767922]I guess Lyon could be a bit enigmatic with his form, but he did also have his injuries worries, didn't he?

Probably one of the first real cases of Osteoitis Pubis....when they had no idea what it was.... t didn't help him. He was a brilliant junior........no one got near him!!

I suppose though, he did show potential to be better than he was, such as in 1992-1993, when he shone in a number of big games, as well as in a couple of state games that he was selected in.

He was a big game player.............laid a beautiful shirtfornt on Ben Allan in the night grand final.......you could hear Ben's bones rattle from the stands!!

 

[kirbycarlisle]

Probably one of the first real cases of Osteoitis Pubis....when they had no idea what it was.... t didn't help him. He was a brilliant junior........no one got near him!!



He was a big game player.............laid a beautiful shirtfornt on Ben Allan in the night grand final.......you could hear Ben's bones rattle from the stands!!

Went over for that match, and was afforded great seats by the club, allowed in the changerooms, and also was given a Bartab to go out out with the boys aftermatch. (Helps to be staying with one of the players ). Vividly remember that night ,Ross had his sights on cleaning up Hudson a few times but it never eventauted.

 

[Roy Fitzlion]

Ross had his sights on cleaning up Hudson a few times but it never eventauted.

He certainly tried!! He may have killed if if he got him.....he was on a mission that night!!

 

[Roger The Sheep]

I thought injuries were probably to blame & also the fact that he was so ferocious in his attack on the footy & anyone, who got in his way that it would have been impossible for him to keep up that intensity for 100 minutes. From his own admission in this article though, it seems his preparation wasn't always up to scratch. Maybe he'd have been a better player in this more professional era, with training during the day, rotation of players off the bench & more of a focus on recovery after games.

Lyon came through junior squads with the likes of Garry Lyon & Stephen Silvagni & I thought he showed more talent than any of them. He was still a good player, but his senior career didn't live up to that early promise.

He was brilliant as a youngster. Early arrivers to Roys games in 1984 were treated to some magical reserves moments courtesy of Lyon, Kenny Hinkley, Kevin Taylor (for half a season) and even Gary Keane. Not to forget Tim Rendell's 13 goals against St. Kilda that day at Waverley.
_________________

Roger.