New Demons coach Steven King is making his mark at the club after taking over from Simon Goodwin and a club legend is behind him.
King’s arrival has coincided with Clayton Oliver being told he can leave while Steven May is a big watch in this trade period.
Christian Petracca could also leave for the Gold Coast but how that is handled in terms of his contract remains to be seen.
“The way I see it is it’s a massive reset,” Lyon said on SEN.
“It’s either been thought about for a long time or brought on by the new coach.”
Lyon went on to compare it to when coaching great Malcolm Blight arrived at Adelaide at the end of 1996 and delisted Tony McGuinness, Chris McDermott, Andrew Jarman and Greg Anderson.
Garry Lyon. AFL Photos via Getty Images
The ruthless calls brought about criticism but Blight went on to win a flag as a result.
Lyon believes there’s two elements to the stance too, a change in the way Melbourne play, and a chance in their behaviour standards.
“For me this looks like Steven King saying ‘we’re going to play this way and I expect you to behave this way if you’re going to be part of this football club’,” he said.
Lyon added Oliver’s importance has diminished because the game has changed in terms of kicking efficiency.
“He’s never been a great kick, has kicking ever been more important?,” he said.
“This time last year I was very bulliush about let’s get them back … 12 months down the track, the game continues to evolve and evolves away particularly from Clayton’s skillset.”
Clayton Oliver of the Demons. AFL Photos via Getty Images