St Kilda coach Ross Lyon attempted to refrain from making an assessment on the inconsistency of the Marvel Stadium surface, which may have contributed to recruit Sam Flanders' serious Achilles injury.

Compounding the Saints' heavy loss to Hawthorn, Flanders is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines after being helped from the field midway through the second term.

Achilles injuries can vary in length, but the former Sun is all but ruled out for the remainder of the season.

"I've tightened up on this. I used to expand a bit more," Lyon said.

"Really simply, it's an Achilles injury. It looks serious. But I can't speak for the doctor and the MRI that's yet to occur, so the club will update when it's all done."

Lyon was also quizzed on the ground surface, which may have been vulnerable given that the roof was left open.

The Saints coach refused to partake in the conversation but delivered a glancing blow to the boss of the Docklands.

"I'm just at a roll-my-eyes stage. I don't know, take it up with Scott Fitzgerald, the CEO of Marvel Stadium," Lyon said.

"And the broadcasters. I don't know what they thought. Both teams had to play on it. I knew it was wet.

"I'll leave that to the sports scientists and medics. I couldn't comment on that. It would be remiss of me and wrong of me.

"I'm just trying to stay in my lane in lots of places."

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell reiterated Lyon's stance on the conditions both clubs faced.

"I'm not sure why exactly but it was slippery," Mitchell said.

"It was quite wet. It seems funny that we played inside and it was wet. Even in the warm-up, it was quite slippery under foot. We weren't sure which type of game we'd get."

Despite losing Flanders, the Saints are hopeful they will regain Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mitch Owens and Liam Ryan from calf issues to face Sydney at the SCG.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION