Cornes: We will judge St Kilda against their lofty expectations

St Kilda head coach Ross Lyon has revealed his and the club’s lofty expectations ahead of a crucial 2027 season.

After failing to reach the post-season for the third straight season, Lyon enters his fifth season with elevated pressure, unable to guide the Saints to a positive win/loss record since his return in 2023.

With money spent over previous seasons, young players developing and talent across each line, Lyon is stern in his position over where the Saints should find themselves at the conclusion of ’27.

“We expected to make the top 10, we aimed for the top 10, but we didn’t,” Lyon said at St Kilda’s awards night on Monday.

“In that, there were some smaller wins.

“The bottom line is, the previous three years, we were a bottom six performing team. We shifted into the mid-six table; we fell away a little bit at the end of the year.

“Within that, we oscillated between a high-end of the mid-six and the low-end. We really need and aim to shift into the top six next year.”

Top six expectations are rather significant for the Saints, who have only achieved said feat twice since 2012.

However, given the club is confident in their target, Kane Cornes has decided to hold Lyon and the Saints to their ambitions.

“I love talking about St Kilda. In fact, they are my favourite team to talk about,” Cornes told SEN Mornings.

“Ross Lyon at their best and fairest essentially said that you can judge us on being top six. That’s what he is saying. We want to move into the top six.

“Now I am taking Ross for his word, in year five of his coaching tenure, and all my judgement will be on St Kilda competing with the top six teams.

“What were they, 1-10 against top 10 teams last year? That has to shift.

“Aim and need top six. That’s it. I’m keeping that quote, I’m going to save it in my phone, and Saints fans, that’s how we’re judging you.

“Anything other than top six - failure next year.”

The Saints are set for a busy Trade Period, with Rowan Marshall desperate for a move and Brisbane’s Sam Marshall looking to join the club.