Essendon great Matthew Lloyd says Ross Lyon inherited a drinking culture amongst the St Kilda playing group when he was appointed coach last year.
Lyon, who took over the role in October after the club sacked their former coach in Brett Ratten, has had a dream start to the year with the Saints sitting atop of the ladder.
Lloyd says you can’t underestimate the impact that both Lyon and acting General Manager, David Misson have had on this playing group, saying the shift away from a drinking culture has been a big part of the club’s resurgence in 2023.
“The impact that David Misson and Ross Lyon have made on this playing group,” Lloyd told Footy Classified.
“Culturally, there was a drinking culture at St Kilda, you’d go out and if you decided you didn’t want to drink, you’d be heckled for that even though you’re a professional footballer.
“So changing that mindset at St Kilda to go ‘you know what, you can go out and not drink because you want to be the best AFL footballer you can be’ and I think that has changed to the point where more players don’t drink then drink which has never been the case.
“They enjoyed a good time, they didn’t know what elite standards were and if you tried to go away from that and be the ultimate professional, you got heckled and put down for that.
“Ross has changed that aspect and it’s standing out now.”
Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson says Lyon has given the playing group an extra day off, adopting a similar program to Geelong coach Chris Scott.
“He’s trusting them, a touch of the Chris Scott’s, he gives them Monday’s off so from Saturday night they won’t turn up at Moorabbin until tomorrow (Tuesday),” Wilson added.
“He’s given them the extra time, but he’s given them the trust.”
St Kilda will look to keep their unbeaten record alive on Saturday night against the Gold Coast Suns.