Lyons hits reset button
Midfielder feels old form starting to flood back
SUNS midfielder Jarryd Lyons says fatigue contributed to the drop in form that led to his axing from the senior side and gave him the chance to reset for the back half of the season.
Lyons missed Gold Coast’s losses to Geelong and GWS after being sent back to the reserves for the first time since arriving at the club the previous year.
The 25-year-old was in ca- reer best form in 2017 but after starting strongly in 2018 the former Adelaide Crows player’s influence in games drifted and ultimately led to coach Stuart Dew dropping one of his most prolific ball users.
“I had a good chat with Dewy after the bye about it,” Lyons said.
“I was fatigued and just wasn’t playing my best footy. I just had to go back and find some footy, get some form and come back and attack the last half of the year with confidence.
“It’s a number of factors. We had a tough schedule the first half of the year and it’s just one of those things. It’s hard to play well every week. I probably hadn’t had a bad patch for two years and I guess it came at the wrong time.
“It wasn’t like it was a real bad patch either. I had a couple of quieter games. It makes you want to get back in the side and prove even more. Lights that fire in your belly. Nobody likes to be dropped.
“(Being dropped) gave me the chance to reset and I think it’s helped. Last week I was OK and I’m starting to get that confidence and last year’s form back.”
A refreshed Lyons collected a team-high 29 possessions, including 22 contested, and recorded 10 clearances in Gold Coast’s 13.18 (96) to 5.13 (43) loss to Hawthorn in Tasmania on Saturday.
“I feel good,” Lyons said. “I just had to go back, find the footy and dominate like I had in the AFL towards the end of last year and start of this year.
“I have been working really hard in the gym and on the field in the last five weeks so hopefully it shows at the end of the year.”
Gold Coast’s midfield had been getting smashed by opponents before turning the tide against the Hawks where it was missed opportunities that hampered their ability to compete.
“We turned it around on the inside this week,” Lyons said.
“We just have to make sure we put it all together now with inside and outside.”