St Kilda Coach Ross Lyon Apologizes to Indigenous Players After Offensive Comment
"Was I being flippant? Could it be described as casual racism? I learned a lot." – Ross Lyon
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon made a comment during a training session that was perceived as offensive by Indigenous players Bradley Hill and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera. After a team meeting, Lyon apologized, and the players accepted. The club stated the matter was resolved internally.
Incident Details
During a training drill in the early-season bye week, Lyon remarked to several players:
"I love the brother boy connection, but we all have to remember we are part of a bigger team here."
The comment was directed at a chain of play involving three Indigenous players. According to multiple sources, Hill and Wanganeen-Milera found the comment offensive.
Response and Resolution
- The day following the training session, Hill contacted Lyon to express his displeasure.
- A team meeting was held the following Monday. During the meeting, Lyon became emotional and offered to consider his position as senior coach if trust could not be rebuilt.
- Lyon acknowledged the comment was misjudged. He later stated, "Was I being flippant? Could it be described as casual racism? I learned a lot." He also said, "I made an error unintentionally, resolved it with my players and I’m thankful for their support."
- Hill and Wanganeen-Milera accepted Lyon’s apology. Hill reportedly told Lyon he would not have made the comment if the players were white.
Aftermath and Statements
- The story was reported by journalist Caroline Wilson on Channel Seven. Hill was reportedly unhappy the story became public.
- Following the report, Hill, Wanganeen-Milera, and other past and present players, including Michael Walters, Liam Henry, and Lance Collard, posted support for Lyon on social media. Hill posted on Instagram: "Sorry Caro but we love Ross."
"You have to look at it through the lens of the person receiving the comment... People don't think of it but probably need to be more aware of it." – CEO Carl Dilena
- Lyon rejected suggestions that chief executive Carl Dilena should have been involved in the initial resolution, stating the players drove the process.
- Dilena stated he was unaware of the issue until hours before the media report on Monday night. He described the comment as a "pretty innocent oversight" and praised the players for addressing the issue directly with Lyon, indicating a safe environment.
No formal complaint was made to the AFL.