St Kilda have today announced that Ross Lyon will return for his second tenure as St Kilda coach after signing a four year-deal.
The new senior coach addressed media today confirming his appointment, alongside club president Andrew Bassat and CEO Simon Lethlean.
Speaking to reporters, Lyon admitted that he had 'unfinished business' at the Saints, over a decade after leaving the club for the Fremantle Dockers.
His first spell at the Saints lasted over a five-year period from 2007-2011, where he took them to grand finals in 2009 and 2011, but fell just short on all occasions.
Lyon revealed that following the sacking of Brett Ratten, he received a phone call out of the blue from AFL legend Leigh Matthews which inspired him to take the coaching role.
"I hate using the name, but he's the most credentialed in the AFL which is Leigh Matthews," Lyon told reporters.
"He rang me during the week out of the blue, unsolicited.
"He asked ‘how are you?' He understands it. I shared a little bit and he said, ‘You don't wake up one day and think I want to coach AFL footy'. Because when you've been through it, you know the highs and you know the lows. You know the challenges, you know the hot seat you're in and you know the expectations.
"You actually need to take a journey with the people you want by you and convince you all the pillars are there so then you'll take that emotional risk. And that's really what happened."
Lyon also stated that everyone at the club has some heavy lifting to do, whilst also feeling privileged to have the chance to bring glory back to the club with 'the most loyal fans'.
"They (coaching) are incredible, coveted, rare jobs," he said.
"It's hard to go back you know, but the highs and walking on the MCG 100,000 people, prelim finals, winning them, grand finals, big games of both clubs, it all makes it worth it.
"We're going to put our work boots on.
"We've got plenty of ground to make up, everyone has to do some heavy lifting here, we're all chasing Geelong."
