Lyon backs ‘soft’ call by Demons’ top gun

ROSS Lyon says Melbourne president Glen Bartlett has earned the right for his “soft” broadside at his Demons even if it puts more pressure on coach Simon Goodwin.

Former St Kilda and Fremantle coach Lyon again made clear yesterday he was “highly unlikely” to coach again after being linked with 2021 roles if a coach was sacked this year. He said coaches deserved some kind of “alibi” after the disrupted season but has no doubt Goodwin and the Demons will be “galvanised” after the presidential spray.

Bartlett said the Demons “trashed” the jumper in their loss to Port Adelaide ahead of clashes against Adelaide and North Melbourne in coming games.

“You are feeling a little bit of heat (if you are Goodwin), you are on notice,” he said. “But what I liked about it is it wasn’t just directed at Simon. It was the coaching panel and the list and I think when you go that wide, it should galvanise them and they should respond.

“I don’t mind it. You are the apex of the club (as president). We all answer to the president and board. He has never done it before, he has been supportive. He has said: ‘now is the time, get working.’ I don’t mind it.”

Lyon said on Triple M on Sunday he believed he had a two-year shelf life in the media but was less likely to return to the coaching ranks than likely.

“(It’s) highly unlikely. I just think I am very protective of coaches, you want them to have the best opportunity. There has been enough disjointedness in the season to give coaches some level of alibi. Melbourne has been pretty good in the previous two weeks but now the president is coming out, his expectation is higher.”

Ex-Melbourne midfielder Jordan Lewis told Fox Footy he had no doubt Bartlett could voice an opinion that strong as the Demons president.

“I certainly think he has the right to. He is a voice to the members purely from the football club and that was his assessment. And I don’t think we can disagree with him,” he said.

“It was a hard game to watch.”