AFL 2025: St Kilda hopes injection of experience will boost midfield against Gold Coast Suns
Lyon omitted three young Saints – Hugo Garcia, Angus McLennan and Lance Collard – for the match with Gold Coast on Sunday.
Ball-winner Jack Macrae will also miss the match with a punctured lung he sustained during last week's loss to West Coast.
But the Saints have welcomed back duo Hunter Clark and Zak Jones to counter the Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell inspired Suns.
Lyon says the addition of Clark and Jones offers 'more experience around the ball'.
'We're really thrilled, Hunter Clark has had an abdominal issue pre-Christmas, he's got back (and) is three games in,' he said.
'He's been a really good player for us and as has Zak Jones – his best is very, very good – and it just gives us a little bit more experience around the ball.
'We need to reward those performances and our midfield is an area we haven't been on top of our game. In the end we need to reward performances below.'
Garcia has ridden the highs and lows of the AFL across the past month.
The second-year Saint was issued some strong feedback against Brisbane, won a Rising Star nomination against Fremantle and faced the axe this week.
Lyon says sending Garcia back to the VFL is a chance for him to show a bit of flair.
'The narrative was the clip, my narrative was feedback on action,' he said.
'One week you're coaching, next week you're sacked – it happens to all of us, it's the AFL, the AFL is a high-demand industry.
'He's a young player, second year, lots of footy, sometimes you've got to take some pressure off and let them go back (to the VFL) and express themselves.'
Lyon hinted at more midfield minutes for Mattaes Phillipou last week but he struggled against the fired-up Eagles.
St Kilda will look to implement him in a similar role to opponent Bailey Humphrey this week.
'Phillipou, we probably threw him to the wolves last week a little bit, and we want to give him a little bit through there, maybe a 50-50 split,' he said.
'We brought him in off no games, off a 14-week rehab because he's such a great preparer and he's still running quite well, but that up and down stuff, off the ground, just can be really challenging.
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Courier-Mail
2 hours ago
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Simon Goodwin speaks out on sole reason for ‘shock' sacking
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Premiership coach Simon Goodwin has opened up on his exit from the Melbourne Football Club for the first time since last Tuesday's shock announcement to sack him after nine years at the helm. While the Demons' struggles in season 2025 were well-documented up until his departure, the board's decision to axe the 2021 flag winner took the vast majority of people by surprise. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Goodwin, who is one of just four people to ever lead the Demons to a V/AFL flag, spoke to Fox Footy's AFL 360 eight days on from his departure at Melbourne. 'It was a shock, there's no doubt about that. I was disappointed that they'd come to that decision — but you accept that position,' Goodwin began. 'Do I 100% think that I was the right person to carry this team forward? Yes, because I've done it before ... but that's the decision the board made, and I accept that decision. 'They need a new voice, they want a new voice, and they're going to get one.' Simon Goodwin was sacked with three rounds to go in the season. Picture: David Geraghty When probed by hosts Gerard Whateley and Garry Lyon as to whether there was any other rationale for his sacking beyond the club's 'need' for a new voice, Goodwin responded: 'I had a standard board meeting the week before, and didn't have an inkling at that point. But as I said, I'm sure the board went through a thorough process.' 'That was the (only) reason I got; that they needed a new voice.' The two-time Adelaide premiership player had a decorated career across his 275-game career, and has now spent well over a decade as a coach in the AFL system — making him a prime target for all clubs looking ahead to 2026. Seven's Mitch Cleary revealed on Wednesday evening that GWS have reached out to Goodwin in regards to a role next year. Speaking on any future plans in the industry, Goodwin noted he right now feels open to anything. Goodwin on Giants link & next adventure Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Learn More X Loaded : 14.01% 0:00 00:00 / 00:00 Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. 01:10 SUBSCRIBER ONLY Goodwin on Giants link & next adventure more more Giants this week. AFL: Simon Goodwin responds to rumours that he has spoken to the Greater Western Sydney...... ... more 'I've spent some time up in Sydney, and I'm going to catch up with a whole range of different people,' Goodwin continued. 'I'm open-minded to doing any thing in football. I love the game, I love coaching. I want to get away, have a spell ... (but) coaching's never complete, you want to get better. And I know with the experience and everything that's I've gone through, with some PD (personal development), I'll come back even better.' Melbourne's off-field imperfections before Goodwin's departure are well-documented, leaving the 48-year-old with an extra layer of difficulty when trying to maintain the club's success year-on-year. It includes report last October that some board members and those within the club's corporate circle held concerns over former chief executive Gary Pert and his handling of a player's trade negotiation — as well as separate worries over the management of superstars Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver. GWS head coach Adam Kingsley and Melbourne premiership coach Simon Goodwin. Goodwin agreed when questioned as to whether his tenure while coaching without a CEO led to a level os misalignment at the club. 'I think clearly. Clearly, you need alignment for success. You look around the great sporting organisations around the world in business and sport, alignment is critical. It's critical because it builds trust, and you can make some really great decisions that you need to moving forward,' Goodwin said. 'There's certainly been challenges, and things that all football clubs need to work on — and Melbourne's no different. But if you walk through the doors at training at Casey Fields with those players, the environment's healthy, alive and well ... and that's the biggest part of your program to get right. 'For the next coach, I think it's set-up incredibly well. I'd be incredibly excited by the group that they've got available to them.' Originally published as Simon Goodwin speaks out on sole reason for 'shock' sacking
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3 hours ago
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The Boomers went up a notch after halftime, but so did the Gilas. They reduced the deficit to 19 points by edging the quarter 22-21, allowing themselves to dream. Caporn's charges, however, were too big, too strong and too fast and saw out a 24-point win, the Boomers still the team to beat in the tournament. Owen Foxwell led the scoring for Australia with 17 points while skipper Will Magnay was MVP. Australia will next meet the winner of Iran and Taiwan for a place in the final, while in the other semi-final the winner of China-South Korea will meet the victor of New Zealand and Lebanon. In the distant horizon lies the 2027 World Cup in Doha and the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, where the Boomers will list their most powerful line-up. But for now the young Boomers brigade, with an average age of 24, have preserved Australia's unbeaten record since joining the competition in 2017 without much fuss nor bother. Australia have coasted into the semi-finals of the Asian Cup with a 84-60 victory over the Philippines in an incident-free clash devoid of any drama after their spiteful encounter seven years ago. Unlike the much-talked about Thrilla in Manilla where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier went toe-to-toe for 14 rounds in the Philippines, the infamous 'Basketbrawl in Bocaue' in 2018 made headlines around the globe for all the wrong reasons. Four Aussies were ejected as a result of the all-in brawl, while the Gilas were reduced to just three players before two of them fouled out to forfeit the game. But there were no such incidents at the more serene King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Wednesday night, Australia instead comfortably sitting their opposition on the canvas without any controversy. Adam Caporn's men, who beat South Korea, Lebanon and Qatar on their way to the quarter-finals, stuck to their task from the start and finished the first quarter 29-12 in front. Jaylin Galloway and Jack McVeigh were deadly accurate in three-point shooting, but the Pilipinas began the second quarter in bold fashion to reduce the deficit to 12 points at 31-19, forcing a time out from the Australians. Kevin Quiambao provided the ray of hope for the passionate and loud Gilas fans with his shooting from outside the arc, but the Australians maintained control to extend their lead to 20 points (48-28) at halftime. The Boomers went up a notch after halftime, but so did the Gilas. They reduced the deficit to 19 points by edging the quarter 22-21, allowing themselves to dream. Caporn's charges, however, were too big, too strong and too fast and saw out a 24-point win, the Boomers still the team to beat in the tournament. Owen Foxwell led the scoring for Australia with 17 points while skipper Will Magnay was MVP. Australia will next meet the winner of Iran and Taiwan for a place in the final, while in the other semi-final the winner of China-South Korea will meet the victor of New Zealand and Lebanon. In the distant horizon lies the 2027 World Cup in Doha and the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, where the Boomers will list their most powerful line-up. But for now the young Boomers brigade, with an average age of 24, have preserved Australia's unbeaten record since joining the competition in 2017 without much fuss nor bother. Australia have coasted into the semi-finals of the Asian Cup with a 84-60 victory over the Philippines in an incident-free clash devoid of any drama after their spiteful encounter seven years ago. Unlike the much-talked about Thrilla in Manilla where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier went toe-to-toe for 14 rounds in the Philippines, the infamous 'Basketbrawl in Bocaue' in 2018 made headlines around the globe for all the wrong reasons. Four Aussies were ejected as a result of the all-in brawl, while the Gilas were reduced to just three players before two of them fouled out to forfeit the game. But there were no such incidents at the more serene King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Wednesday night, Australia instead comfortably sitting their opposition on the canvas without any controversy. Adam Caporn's men, who beat South Korea, Lebanon and Qatar on their way to the quarter-finals, stuck to their task from the start and finished the first quarter 29-12 in front. Jaylin Galloway and Jack McVeigh were deadly accurate in three-point shooting, but the Pilipinas began the second quarter in bold fashion to reduce the deficit to 12 points at 31-19, forcing a time out from the Australians. Kevin Quiambao provided the ray of hope for the passionate and loud Gilas fans with his shooting from outside the arc, but the Australians maintained control to extend their lead to 20 points (48-28) at halftime. The Boomers went up a notch after halftime, but so did the Gilas. They reduced the deficit to 19 points by edging the quarter 22-21, allowing themselves to dream. Caporn's charges, however, were too big, too strong and too fast and saw out a 24-point win, the Boomers still the team to beat in the tournament. Owen Foxwell led the scoring for Australia with 17 points while skipper Will Magnay was MVP. Australia will next meet the winner of Iran and Taiwan for a place in the final, while in the other semi-final the winner of China-South Korea will meet the victor of New Zealand and Lebanon. In the distant horizon lies the 2027 World Cup in Doha and the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, where the Boomers will list their most powerful line-up. But for now the young Boomers brigade, with an average age of 24, have preserved Australia's unbeaten record since joining the competition in 2017 without much fuss nor bother.
Daily Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Simon Goodwin speaks out on sole reason for ‘shock' sacking
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Premiership coach Simon Goodwin has opened up on his exit from the Melbourne Football Club for the first time since last Tuesday's shock announcement to sack him after nine years at the helm. While the Demons' struggles in season 2025 were well-documented up until his departure, the board's decision to axe the 2021 flag winner took the vast majority of people by surprise. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Goodwin, who is one of just four people to ever lead the Demons to a V/AFL flag, spoke to Fox Footy's AFL 360 eight days on from his departure at Melbourne. 'It was a shock, there's no doubt about that. I was disappointed that they'd come to that decision — but you accept that position,' Goodwin began. 'Do I 100% think that I was the right person to carry this team forward? Yes, because I've done it before ... but that's the decision the board made, and I accept that decision. 'They need a new voice, they want a new voice, and they're going to get one.' Simon Goodwin was sacked with three rounds to go in the season. Picture: David Geraghty When probed by hosts Gerard Whateley and Garry Lyon as to whether there was any other rationale for his sacking beyond the club's 'need' for a new voice, Goodwin responded: 'I had a standard board meeting the week before, and didn't have an inkling at that point. But as I said, I'm sure the board went through a thorough process.' 'That was the (only) reason I got; that they needed a new voice.' The two-time Adelaide premiership player had a decorated career across his 275-game career, and has now spent well over a decade as a coach in the AFL system — making him a prime target for all clubs looking ahead to 2026. Seven's Mitch Cleary revealed on Wednesday evening that GWS have reached out to Goodwin in regards to a role next year. Speaking on any future plans in the industry, Goodwin noted he right now feels open to anything. 'I've spent some time up in Sydney, and I'm going to catch up with a whole range of different people,' Goodwin continued. 'I'm open-minded to doing any thing in football. I love the game, I love coaching. I want to get away, have a spell ... (but) coaching's never complete, you want to get better. And I know with the experience and everything that's I've gone through, with some PD (personal development), I'll come back even better.' Melbourne's off-field imperfections before Goodwin's departure are well-documented, leaving the 48-year-old with an extra layer of difficulty when trying to maintain the club's success year-on-year. It includes report last October that some board members and those within the club's corporate circle held concerns over former chief executive Gary Pert and his handling of a player's trade negotiation — as well as separate worries over the management of superstars Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver. GWS head coach Adam Kingsley and Melbourne premiership coach Simon Goodwin. Goodwin agreed when questioned as to whether his tenure while coaching without a CEO led to a level os misalignment at the club. 'I think clearly. Clearly, you need alignment for success. You look around the great sporting organisations around the world in business and sport, alignment is critical. It's critical because it builds trust, and you can make some really great decisions that you need to moving forward,' Goodwin said. 'There's certainly been challenges, and things that all football clubs need to work on — and Melbourne's no different. But if you walk through the doors at training at Casey Fields with those players, the environment's healthy, alive and well ... and that's the biggest part of your program to get right. 'For the next coach, I think it's set-up incredibly well. I'd be incredibly excited by the group that they've got available to them.' Originally published as Simon Goodwin speaks out on sole reason for 'shock' sacking
