St Kilda coach Ross Lyon pleased with Saints’ work-rate in shock round one win over Fremantle Dockers

“There’s no magic here, it’s all about unrelenting action.”

It’s one of the many one-liners Ross Lyon has reeled out throughout his coaching career.

But it was never more appropriate than after he masterminded an undermanned St Kilda to victory over the team that sacked him just a few years ago.

Fremantle’s ability to score had been the biggest question mark hanging over them in their quest for the top four and Lyon ensured they wouldn’t find the answer under his watch.

Criticised for being too defensively-minded, Lyon stubbornly stuck to his guns and strangled the Docker’s ball movement, turning the game into a scrap under the roof of Marvel Stadium.

By the final siren, the Dockers had kicked just seven goals from 65 inside 50s and Lyon’s makeshift forward line of smalls and youngsters had done enough to kick a winning score.

Known as a coach who values work rate and effort over skill, Lyon said he was pleased with their first-up performance.

“We’ve had a big summer of hard work and change ... I couldn’t have asked more for the players in attitude,” Lyon said post-match.

“Just to see the group that works really hard and has bought in get rewarded.

“The 22 that were picked had done every minute of the pre-season, so I knew we were rock-hard fit and our game style is an up-tempo run and work game style. So hopefully that was evident.”

Lyon indicated that he broke down the Dockers gameplan without revealing too much.

“We just knew that had a really strong signature and that’s what good teams have, strong signatures, so we weren’t sure how much it changed over summer but our scouting had told us not too much,” Lyon said.

“We thought we prepared from OK. But in saying that, they went to the end they had 21 entries at the end but I think both defences were probably on top.”

Lyon said it was “surreal” to return to the coaches’ box for the first time since 2019.

“It really is a privilege. I don’t think I’ve sat in that where I felt it was just the job and a lot of pressure whether it be the Saints or in the West, so I’ve come back through choice,” he said.

“I feel fully supported as I was at the Dockers by the way.

“The feedback is I’ve got to get better and I feel like I’m working hard to get better with my coaches and the playing group and the whole club, to be honest.