Ross Lyon hits back at Fagan’s critcism of De Koning contract

St Kilda senior coach Ross Lyon has called out the hypocrisy of Lions' senior coach Chris Fagan for his comments regarding the Saints' off-season tactics, which saw the club offer enormous contracts to land several star free agents.

Fagan expressed concerns regarding the number of lucrative contracts being handed out around the AFL earlier this month but specifically named St Kilda, and their aggressive approach to free agency in 2025, as "a danger to the game".

The back-to-back premiership coach also claimed that Tom De Koning's monster deal - worth $13 million over seven seasons - was overkill, believing De Koning had yet to play up the value of such a contract in his career thus far.

When quizzed about the comments by Tim Watson on SEN Breakfast, as well as the strategy of offering "a lot of money" to attract key players, Lyon pointed to Brisbane's history of utilising a similar approach.

"Like Alastair Lynch, 250 grand for 10 years. That way? He went to the [Bears], all those [interstate] clubs have short memories," Lyon said.

"No [I haven't had a conversation with Fagan]. What for? Our CEO responded in kind, but to the wider issue, I took umbrage [with the targeting of De Koning].

"I love the flow on, weaponised the media themselves, [but target] those faceless institutions, but not individual players. I didn't enjoy the comments, but I've said my piece.

"You can't talk yourself out of a situation you've acted your way into. I'll leave it with him."

In 1994, Alastair Lynch signed an unprecedented 10-year, $1 million+ contract with the Brisbane Bears after leaving Fitzroy, a landmark deal at the time.

It was a signing that changed the trajectory of both the Brisbane and Fitzroy clubs for good, with Lynch ultimately playing a key factor in the merged sides' three-peat between 2001 and 2003.

Lyon highlighted the similar predicament the Saints are in compared to the Bears at the time, noting that the equitable distribution system the AFL set up to prevent such bold, risky tactics has now become "compromised".

"I'm certainly not fighting for any other clubs, but the facts speak for themselves," Lyon said.

"The AFL is where it is, because when it was dying, the commission was set up and they introduced the National Draft and salary cap. It wasn't even distribution, it was set up so talent that was identified to be elite was distribited to the clubs at the bottom of the ladder so they could rise.

"That occurred and that's why nearly everyone had a run at it, televsion rights went through the roof... but it's compromised now.

"We understand why, because it's been for the expansion states and growth of the game, but at some point, you've got to recalibrate it. It's nonsense to think that Essendon - and a lot of the Melbourne clubs - employ inferior adminstrators, CEO's and coaches.

"That's nonsense. There can't be that big of a gap in decision making. We know it's not.

"In saying that, the opportunities you get, you've got to nail. You've got to nail your drafts. The draft was working, but sometimes it takes time."

Lyon's Saints will have the opportunity to quieten Fagan's doubts with an Opening Round win over Collingwood, taking on the Magpies at the MCG on Sunday, March 8.