The Footy and Friends Grand Final breakfast is one of the more modern Melbourne footy traditions embraced in particular by young footy punters – hosted by Dylan Buckley, two-time all Australian Brett Deledio (both tipping Brisbane) and former Docker Michael Barlow (Freo by eight), with appearances from Bulldogs premiership icon Shane Biggs and a roving Brian Taylor, as well as Shane Warne’s son Jackson Warne who was in the audience as sports fluencer Will Taylor’s plus one.
Saints coach Ross Lyon.AFL Photos via Getty Images
Headlining this year’s sold out event was the only other man to have led Freo to a grand final – a very laid-back looking Ross Lyon – who reflected on his time at the helm of the Dockers.
Famously direct with his feedback, the Saints coach was asked if he’d ever gone too hard on a player, “Nah they all deserved it. No, in all honesty, the philosophy is support the person, challenge the behaviour.
“You can say whatever you like with intensity, but as long as it’s about action and solution. You know, I remember I called Sam Gilbert, big head, [I said] ‘take the pumpkin off’, and Sean Richardson taps me on the shoulder and goes mate you need to apologise … And make no mistake coaches make players right? Oh sorry, players make coaches.”
Asked for his tip of this year’s grand final contenders – who he described as “two teams that do the fundamentals the best” – Lyon said it would basically come down to whichever team was able to keep their heads screwed on in the moment, and not get distracted by the enormity of the day and the shiny premiership cup potentially awaiting them.
Rowan Marshall of the Saints and Jed Walter of the Suns compete for the ball.Getty Images