Lyon fires back at Fagan after big spending comments

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has come out swinging after Brisbane coach Chris Fagan labelled the Saints’ off-season strategy as a ‘danger for the game’.

The Saints spent big during 2025, picking up Tom De Koning on a big-money free agent move, luring his former Carlton teammate Jack Silvagni across as well, while re-signing Nasiah Wanaganeen-Milera on a two-year extension worth reportedly $2 million a year.

That prompted Fagan to say that he thinks the best players in the competition deserve to be paid the highest sums, and that wasn’t the case with how St Kilda spent.

Clearly, Lyon didn’t like hearing that from the back-to-back premiership coach, adding that it’s what Brisbane did in recruiting Lachie Neale to their club at the end of 2018.

"I could be wrong but in my 13 years of senior coaching (Lyon has actually coached 16 years), I don't think I've ever commented on a specific opposition player in a derogatory sense," Lyon told AFL.com.au

"I can't control what other people do, I can only control what I do. I'm aware that our CEO (Carl Dilena) responded not to Chris but in general terms about what the market dictates. And the coin has flipped. You know what is really ironic? Tony Lockett, Barry Hall (ex-St Kilda players who were recruited to Sydney) getting paid whatever percentage of the salary cap.

"That is interesting. Lachie Neale, who I know really well, and I know the figure he went on (from Fremantle, where Lyon was coach, to Brisbane) when the salary cap was $12.5 million. I think you need to look at percentage terms. Once you hear $1.5m, $1.7m, $1.2m … we know people offered Nas (Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, who stayed at St Kilda for $2m a season) more money. There were people who offered seven years and more (money).”

Lyon also shone a light on Brisbane being able to get immediately better after winning two premierships based on the current market situation, adding Oscar Allen and Sam Draper while also picking up another Academy star in Dan Annable.

"I know Carl spoke to the operating environment which dictates the market and its supply and demand and restrictions and access to talent and free agency being introduced,” Lyon said.

“I'm not perfect in this, but overseas, I think the NFL and NBA don't let them go to the top four clubs. But Tom Lynch goes to the reigning premier in the Tigers.

“When Brisbane's list could be in decline they go and get the captain from West Coast and the No.1 player from Essendon as free agents. And then have arguably the No.1-rated player (in the national draft) go at what was it, pick 40?"

If the top clubs can continue to win so big in both the draft and free agency, Lyon wouldn’t be surprised if clubs begin a legal challenge with the AFL.

"If the inequity stays that long I think conceivably there would be a legal challenge from a number of clubs that have been disaffected," Lyon said.

All eyes will be on St Kilda’s Round 3 clash against Brisbane when Lyon and Fagan’s men face off at Marvel Stadium.