AFL world divided after fan footage captures Ross Lyon in 'brutal' act
AFL commentator Kate McCarthy believes Ross Lyon should have directed a spray at a more senior player than Hugo Garcia after footage emerged of the St Kilda coach barking at the 16-gamer before subbing him out on Saturday night. Lyon is facing renewed scrutiny after the Saints' 45-point loss to Brisbane at Marvel Stadium.
Lyon didn't hold back when talking to the players at quarter-time after the Lions racked up a whopping 24 inside-50s to six in the opening term. He then pulled the trigger early and took 19-year-old Garcia out of the game in the second quarter - a lot earlier than what we normally see.
Fan footage has since emerged of Lyon giving Garcia and Ryan Byrnes an almighty spray on the St Kilda bench, paying particular attention to Garcia. Speaking in his press conference after the game, Lyon was unapologetic for taking Garcia out so early.
"Sometimes you have to stop talking about it and sometimes you just go 'bang'," he said. "I pulled the sub, tried to get something done."
Lyon denied 'spraying' his players, but said: "I was animated ... (the most) since I've been back at the club. AFL teams don't do this under pressure. I just coach action ... you can't read minds. We're talking top of the pops (Brisbane). Did I think coming here it was going to be a picnic? I wouldn't have thought so."
Ross gives a shit and certainly hates losing. This is a long journey but this is the most animated he's been since he came back to Moorabbin. pic.twitter.com/keDrNH2ovK
— Saints TV (@saintstvpod) April 26, 2025
Discussing the incident on the bench with Garcia on Sunday, former AFLW player-turned-analyst McCarthy suggested Garcia was on a hiding to nothing. McCarthy said Lyon should have directed his spray at a more senior player, and would be better off playing Garcia in the VFL rather than giving him limited minutes in the AFL.
After journalist Josh Gabelich said on 'The Round So Far' that it was "brutal" treatment of a 19-year-old, McCarthy responded: "Cleary he's trying to make a point and set a standard, but Hugo Garcia is in his 16th game of (AFL) football. He had 23 minutes of game time across one-and-a-half quarters.
"He's pointed the finger at Hugo Garcia for not playing the 'stay forward' mid. But in the first quarter, Lachie Neale's direct opponent was Jack Steele - the captain of the club - and he allowed Neale to waltz into an open goal and kick the first goal of the game.
"For me, if you're sending a message, it's a player like that you send a message through, not a 16-gamer who's still learning the ropes. If you don't want to play him or give him the opportunity to learn from his mistakes, don't play him. Let him learn in the VFL, and then when he's ready to play that role in the AFL, play him there.
"For me, roasting a player on the bench before quarter-time and subbing him out in the second quarter is not going to help a player learn. It's going to send them the other way. I don't really know what Hugo Garcia is going to get out of that for the next few weeks."
"If you're sending a message, it's a player like that that you send a message to, not a 16-gamer.'- Kate McCarthy on Ross Lyon's take on Hugo GarciaWatch Now: https://t.co/rUgyFSxRdP pic.twitter.com/bwwRvK0krU
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) April 27, 2025
However not everyone agrees. While some believe Lyon was off the mark, others felt he was well within his rights to issue a spray considering the way things are going. Veteran broadcaster Stephen Quartermain countered: "Sometimes tough love is the best love. We can't kiss and cuddle the modern player all the time. I bet you Hugo Garcia has learnt a valuable footy lesson."
no more cuddly Ross .. love the good old spray .. bloody modern sensitive players need a kick
— MARTY BOY (@M4RTiBoi) April 26, 2025
If my boss treated me like this I'm gone the next day
— Amyl (@amylthesniffer) April 27, 2025
@stkildafc Hugo Garcia was playing hard and trying to get in and under.Jack Steele's timing was way off all game. Steele is not fit or is too slow now. Bad decision by Ross Lyon.I hope he apologised to Hugo and Hugo stays at St Kilda. Memories of how Ross treated Luke Ball https://t.co/XopoimgYaj
— john sinisgalli (@johnvsinisgalli) April 27, 2025
Lyon said the first quarter was "really disappointing" that players weren't "tuned in mentally to the conditions and the opponents like they needed to." He added: "We had some good passages, but we're not executing at a high enough standard for long enough."
with AAP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
AFL world reacts amid brutal news about Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton
Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton has lifted the lid on some of the debilitating effects of his AFL career, revealing he struggles to walk down stairs and needs his partner to put his shoes and socks on for him. Brereton played 211 games (189 for the Hawks) across a legendary career, winning five AFL/VFL premierships. He's an AFL and Hawthorn Hall of Fame member, and has become a popular commentator and analyst since retiring. But speaking at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, the 60-year-old opened up about what life is like due to his career. As reported by , Brereton said he struggles to sleep some nights due to chronic shoulder pain, and has been forced to take anti-inflammatories for the better part of 40 years. 'Some mornings my beautiful partner Julie has to put on my shoes and socks for me," he said in his 'Toast to Football' speech at the annual Norm Smith Oration. "With the pain in my spine, where they put in a cage inserted there, I can't reach. I just can't put on socks and shoes. 'Some days I have to walk down the stairs sideways because I haven't any cartilage – bone on bone, that is – for 40 years. Some days I can't shake hands with other men, and if they do so, I fear they'll re-open some of the broken bones in my hands from defenders' spoils and from when [an opponent] jumped on my hand deliberately. Some days I have to crab my way down the stairs because my often half-a-dozen times reconstructed ankle will not flex any more.' Brereton recounted many of the battles he had with opposition defenders during a brutal era of hard-nosed footy. 'Some nights I sleep very little because of the arthritis in my shoulder joints. That's from decades of lifting as heavy weights as I could, purely because the position I played required it," he said. Brutally, he revealed he sometimes questions whether his career was worth the price he's now paying. But he always lands on the same answer. 'I often ask myself, in that moment of true misery, when I can't move, that moment of weakness, I'll ask myself – was it worth it?" he admitted. 'And the answer's always the same. I'd do it all over again, exactly the same again. Maybe next time, though in the next lifetime, I might go a little harder. '[It gave me] a lifetime of employment, it's given me a small dose of fame, occasionally given me romance. It has given me great friendships. It's given me my life's greatest mentor – Allan (Jeans, his Hawthorn coach). And it has given me a purpose. But it's also taken away something very dear to me.' AFL fans were stunned to learn of Brereton's plight, taking to social media with messages of support. Journalist Jake Niall said the revelations "should concern the AFL and past and current players." One fan wrote: "Good for him to speak out so others understand. Some things like that can be far too embarrassing to share. Particularly someone with Dermie's hardened image." RELATED: Hawthorn teammate's brutal public response to Jack Ginnivan act Sam Mitchell goes public with sad news about former teammate It comes after the son of Brereton's partner Julie was recently picked up by Essendon in the AFL's mid-season draft. Archie May, a 198cm-tall forward from WAFL club Subiaco, went to the Bombers despite Collingwood fans hoping to snare him. May had previously revealed how Brereton has helped with his development. "Obviously it's a lot of hard work and sacrifices that go into the journey. I think it's about proving the people close to me right," he said of his mother's partner. "Dermott has been massive in my development. Especially in the last few years as I took football more seriously." Good for him to speak out so others understand. Some things like that can be far too embarrassing to share. Particularly someone with Dermies hardened image. — 'Chickenhead' 👌👨🌾🧑🍳🥷🕵️♂️🐣🐤🐔🐓🌏🌕🔥🐎 (@Jimali1111) June 6, 2025 That's what afl players (professional players of any sport) give up to live the good life, their body. It's the cost of living the good life, getting paid really good money and opening up a lot of doors in life. Of course your body is going to be minced playing 10+ years of footy — Harry grant (@happyharrygrant) June 6, 2025
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
‘Everybody Knows'-Rayan Cherki Drops Ultimate Transfer Tease
Lyon midfielder Rayan Cherki has admitted "everyone knows" where he will be playing next season, offering a clear hint over a potential move to Manchester City. City are comfortably in pole position when it comes to a deal for Cherki, who has one year left on his contract with Lyon and is expected to be sold by the cash-strapped French outfit after a sensational season which yielded 20 assists and 12 goals across all competitions. Reports earlier this week suggested City had failed with a bid for Cherki worth €23 million (£19.4 million, $26.3 million). Just how much Lyon are looking for is unclear but it has been suggested City may need to pay close to double that figure-hardly a daunting prospect for a side of such financial strength. Despite the confusion, Cherki is clearly confident that his future will be resolved soon. "It's getting done," he told Téléfoot after coming off the bench to score a goal and assist another in France's 5–4 defeat to Spain. "You know my answer. Everybody knows my answer." Liverpool are known to have held a recent meeting with Cherki, but the Reds are firmly focused on signing Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz, with Cherki only seen as a possible alternative. City, meanwhile, are determined to get a deal for the newly capped France international over the line. City are set for another active transfer window. A £46.3 million ($62.9 million) deal has been agreed to sign AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, while Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri is on the cusp of a £33 million ($44.8 million) switch to the Etihad Stadium. Rebuilding Pep Guardiola's squad is seen as crucial for City officials after the disappointment of the 2024–25 campaign. While the Cityzens did ultimately finish third in the Premier League standings, they came nowhere close to competing for the title and were embarrassed in the Champions League. READ THE LATEST MAN CITY NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND MORE Copyright ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Minnesota Basketball Star Worked Out by Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves finished their season with the same result as they did a year ago — a 4-1 Western Conference Finals defeat, this time at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who tip off game one of the 2025 NBA Finals Thursday night against the Indiana Pacers. This is a critical offseason for the Wolves. The team sale is expected to be finalized this month, and multiple key free agency decisions are on the docket. There is also the upcoming NBA Draft in which Minnesota holds the 17th and 31st overall pick. Advertisement The Minnesota Timberwolves have a few different ways they could use the picks. One player expected to be on the board for both picks is hometown hero, Dawson Garcia, who grew up in Prior Lake and played three seasons for the Minnesota Gophers. Dawson Garcia showcases talent for Minnesota Timberwolves While it is unlikely Garcia hears his name called in a couple weeks, when the NBA Draft takes place, it's worth noting that, according to Darren Wolfson (KSTP) on a recent episode of the Mackey & Judd Show on SKOR North, the Timberwolves hosted Garcia for a private workout recently. Should the future stars align, it's very plausible the Wolves give him a shot on their 2025 Summer League team, at the least. 'The Wolves draft workout on Monday, here's a name this hasn't been out there, Dawson Garcia. The former Gophers worked out for the Timberwolves on Monday…I'm told all focus, at least right now, is starting his pro career. Whether that ends up the Amir Coffey route, G-League…I'm just told, right now, all focus is on a pro career. The Wolves had that draft workout on Monday.' Darren Wolfson – SKOR North Advertisement When Dawson Garcia first left Prior Lake High School, he landed at Marquette. He lasted one season over the eastern border, before transferring to North Carolina, before eventually coming home and playing for the Minnesota Gophers. In between the note that Garcia did work out for the Timberwolves, Wolfson mentioned that, even if he doesn't catch on with the NBA or G-League, Dawson will have plenty of lucrative overseas options to pursue. Over the course of his 5-year college career, Dawson Garcia has played 132 games. Garcia could still try for another year with Minnesota Gophers… or other college program During his final season with Minnesota the forward averaged 19.2 points per game and shot 4.74% from the field. He's not a great three-point threat, shooting just 35.3% for his career, but has plenty of athleticism for his 6'1″ frame. Advertisement Still, it's not impossible that Garcia tries for one more year of eligibility. Garcia reportedly made $500k in NIL last season with Minnesota. The Gophers should have substantially more to spend with new head coach Niko Medved,. No doubt, Garcia would have plenty of other collegiate suitors as well. Minnesota's drafted Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. last summer. The former failed to carve out a significant role but remains a substantial upside play. The latter earned key minutes down the stretch and provided a points infusion off the bench during the playoffs. Related Headlines
