Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Sport
Shayne Hope

'Ross the Boss' tag embarrasses Saints AFL coach

Ross Lyon is winning over St Kilda fans after the Saints' unbeaten start to the 2023 AFL season. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

'Ross the Boss', also known as Ross Lyon, doesn't really like the moniker.

It makes the returned St Kilda coach uncomfortable.

But when Saints fans chanted it in unison at Marvel Stadium after another stunning upset in round two, Lyon couldn't hide a grin.

"A little bit embarrassed, to be truthful," Lyon told Fox Footy when quizzed on the fans' reaction to the win over the Western Bulldogs.

"It's great to hear and see their passion and euphoria."

In reference to the 'Ross the Boss' nickname, he added: "It's a relic of the past, really.

"I don't really like the term and I think my kids don't like it either."

But the return of 'Ross the Boss' to the football vernacular is representative of a significant number of Saints fans being back on the Ross Lyon bandwagon.

And they are rightfully buoyant heading into a clash with Essendon at the MCG in round three, which doubles as a celebration of St Kilda's 150-year anniversary.

After two years of turmoil on and off the field, Lyon has returned and steered the Saints to within touching distance of starting a season 3-0 for the first time since 2010.

That year, during Lyon's first tenure at the club, St Kilda reached a second straight grand final and were a cruel bounce of the ball away from ending their agonising premiership drought.

Now back at Moorabbin, Lyon is allowing himself to dream.

"My daughter texted me and said, "I told you, Dad, it's a game of possibility, not probability'," Lyon said.

"I think she's right. You've got to see possibility and commit to the process and see where it takes you."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.