“Was happy to stay in the twos”: Cornes and Lloyd react to Lyon’s strange Phillipou admission

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon made an interesting comment following his side’s 55-72 loss to Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

The Saints made six changes for the clash including recalling Mattaes Phillipou from the VFL, but Lyon admitted that the 19-year-old probably would have gathered play VFL.

After a slow start to his second season as a forward, Phillipou was dropped to the VFL last week where he played in the midfield instead, racking up 20 touches for Sandringham against Box Hill.

According to Lyon, Phillipou wanted to stay with the Zebras to keep building his midfield experience but the Saints instead chose to recall him to the seniors.

Lyon didn’t think the teenager grabbed his opportunity in return to the AFL side, kicking one goal to go with just four disposals, leading him to make the eyebrow-raising comment post-match.

“Mattaes got an opportunity but didn’t grab it today,” Lyon said post-match.

“A bit frustrated … I know he’s better than what we’re seeing.

“You know, he was happy to stay in the twos to play midfield again.

“But we thought we’d give him a midfield opportunity in the seniors because he’s part of the future of the club.

“He didn’t deliver today, but I’m sure he will in time.”

In response to Lyon’s confession, Kane Cornes and Matthew Lloyd reacted to Phillipou’s request on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.

They were bewildered by the teenager’s call as they had never heard of a player preferring to play VFL over AFL footy.

Cornes: “They had a couple of changes at selection, two of those were Paddy Dow and Phillipou back in and Ross spoke about their performance after the game…”

Lloyd: “What do you make of that though, about Phillipou?

“Do you say to Phillipou, ‘Hey, we want you to play forward, we can’t find a spot for you in the midfield, harden up’?

“Is Phillipou challenging the coaches saying, ‘I want midfield or I’ll play in the VFL’?”

Cornes: “I don’t know, I’ve never heard of that, a player that wants to stay in the VFL before, ever.

“You just grab your opportunity if it’s there, you don’t want to stay in the VFL.

“It’s a real concern because he should be one of their most highly-talented players.”

All eyes will be on St Kilda’s selection next week for their clash against Melbourne at the MCG to see if the former top 10 pick remains with the seniors or returns to the Zebras.

St Kilda will be desperate to pick up a win in that clash as they now sit 14th with a 3-7 win-loss record through 10 games.