Garry Lyon believes that promising St Kilda forward Paddy McCartin should be tried in a floating defensive role at half-back similar to West Coast’s Jeremy McGovern.
The former Melbourne forward believes that the surplus of tall forwards at St Kilda, now compounded even further with the addition of schoolboy Josh Battle, means that trying the 21-year-old in the back line could be worthwhile, believing McCartin’s skills lend well to the role.
“St Kilda have got a problem, and a problem that needs fixing,” Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.
“They have already got [Tim] Membrey, [Josh] Bruce, [Nick] Riewoldt and then McCartin. They have thrown Josh Battle into that group now... all very similar types and Riewoldt may or may not retire.
“[McCartin’s] got unbelievable courage and just blindly goes with the flight of the footy. Send him to centre half-back. Let him play Jeremy McGovern-style.
“He’s got beautiful ball use, a great field kick and he is clearly a great mark. He’s got all those qualities that McGovern has got…. he’d be a perfect fit.”
Speaking more directly on the future of Riewoldt and fellow Saints veteran Leigh Montagna, Lyon considers that 2017 should be the final season for both.
He believes that St Kilda coach Alan Richardson should be given all the time he needs this year to make a decision on their future, an opinion not shared by fellow SEN Breakfast host Tim Watson.
“If I was Nick Riewoldt or I was Joey Montagna, I’d actually want to know now if I’m going through the last six weeks of my footy career,” the former Essendon skipper said.
“I think they possibly have [already made a decision], and if they have, I think they then should be having that conversation with Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna.
“They have both been great players for the St Kilda Football Club, and no one wants to see anyone’s career end, but everybody’s career ends at some point.”