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Lyon set to stay the boss at AFL Dockers

3 minute read

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon got a standing ovation after Saturday's stunning 34-point win over Geelong at Optus Stadium.

ROSS LYON
ROSS LYON Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Fremantle fans, buckle yourselves in for another season of 'Ross the Boss'.

Ross Lyon's coaching future was under huge threat leading into Saturday's AFL clash with ladder leaders Geelong at Optus Stadium.

The Dockers had lost five of their past six matches, and player agent Colin Young gave Fremantle an almighty whack over the club's injury rehabilitation program.

But Saturday's stunning 34-point win over Geelong has dramatically eased the pressure valve, with Lyon now almost certain to start 2020 as Fremantle's coach.

Dockers chief executive Steve Rosich gave an emphatic "absolutely" when asked whether Lyon would be coaching the Dockers in 2020.

That comment was made before Saturday's match, and Lyon's future was further consolidated with the 14.11 (95) to 9.7 (61) win.

Lyon has copped widespread abuse from fans on social media and talkback radio over the past seven weeks.

But after the win over Geelong, he got a standing ovation from a section of the 36,310 crowd as he walked off the ground.

"It's always nice," Lyon said of the ovation.

"We've all got a little sign hanging around our neck, as Denis Pagan used to say, 'make me feel important'.

"I don't know if they were the loud minority or the loud majority. I think everyone will interpret that how they want to."

Lyon said he hadn't paid any attention to the recent external criticisms aimed at him.

"I never doubt myself, I never doubt my coaching, I never doubt the application, I never doubt the group," Lyon said.

"Are there challenges within that? Yeah.

"I've spoken about social media before, and the rabbit holes you go down on Twitter and Instagram, and it all depends on what rabbit hole you want to reach down and what you want to pull out and what you want to put up in lights. It's all selective.

"But I'm not on any of it. I buy The Australian and The Financial Review and read it, but other than that I don't touch them.

"I know there's noise around, but at the end of the day it's never as good, never as bad, I think it's been proven again."

Fremantle (9-10) will propel themselves back into the thick of the finals race if they can beat St Kilda at Marvel Stadium next Sunday.

Geelong coach Chris Scott lamented his team's inability to generate enough inside 50s against the Dockers, with the Cats finishing with just 43 for the match.

Gary Rohan injured his knee in the second half, and might miss Saturday's home clash with North Melbourne, but Harry Taylor will return after being rested against Fremantle.

The Cats have lost four of their past seven games, and Scott said their form was a concern.

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