Saints hypocrisy? "Whingeing" club has weaponised the media

Kane Cornes has taken aim at St Kilda and Ross Lyon accusing them of weaponising the media on multiple occasions after their response to Chris Fagan's criticism of their recruitment.

Fagan last month labelled the Saints’ off-season strategy as a ‘danger for the game’.

The Saints spent big during 2025, picking up Tom De Koning on a big-money free agent move, luring his former Carlton teammate Jack Silvagni across as well, while re-signing Nasiah Wanaganeen-Milera on a two-year extension worth reportedly $2 million a year.

That prompted Fagan to say that he thinks the best players in the competition deserve to be paid the highest sums, and that wasn’t the case with how St Kilda spent.

Clearly, Lyon didn’t like hearing that from the back-to-back premiership coach, adding that it’s what Brisbane did in recruiting Lachie Neale to their club at the end of 2018.

"I could be wrong but in my 13 years of senior coaching (Lyon has actually coached 16 years), I don't think I've ever commented on a specific opposition player in a derogatory sense," Lyon told AFL.com.au

"I'm not sure what Chris's motivations were, mental health of players is paramount and there is enough, and it is very topical, and I think as coaches we all cop a fair bit.

"I know through the AFLCA, they're really worried about coaches' mental health and challenges … I don't know, to weaponise the media? It is an interesting argument on individuals."

Lyon's response didn't sit well with Cornes who said that while he is absolutely entitled to respond and to his opinion, coaches with the success of Fagan should be honest about their fears for the game.

"Chris Fagan has every right to air his fears for the game and nothing he said wasn’t factual," Cornes said on his SEN show Locked In. "The players St Kilda have paid big money to are not the best players.

"What Fagan has said was not out of line. I’m not critical of Ross for responding, but we want duel premiership coaches like Fagan sharing their honest thoughts.

"I will never be critical of a person of the standing of Fagan for doing that.

"I feel like the Saints have done their fair share whinging. Whilst Ross has said he hasn’t commented on an individual player in a derogatory sense, the Saints as a club have done their fair share of whingeing over the last five years.

"I feel like the Saints have weaponised the media many, many times to get their point across.

"They’ve done it in BnF speeches; Ross has done it in his own clever way. But come on, what an over reaction to Fagan sharing some honest thoughts."

Lyon also shone a light on Brisbane being able to get immediately better after winning two premierships based on the current market situation, adding Oscar Allen and Sam Draper while also picking up another Academy star in Dan Annable.

"I know Carl spoke to the operating environment which dictates the market and its supply and demand and restrictions and access to talent and free agency being introduced,” Lyon said.

“I'm not perfect in this, but overseas, I think the NFL and NBA don't let them go to the top four clubs. But Tom Lynch goes to the reigning premier in the Tigers.

“When Brisbane's list could be in decline they go and get the captain from West Coast and the No.1 player from Essendon as free agents. And then have arguably the No.1-rated player (in the national draft) go at what was it, pick 40?"

If the top clubs can continue to win so big in both the draft and free agency, Lyon wouldn’t be surprised if clubs begin a legal challenge with the AFL.

"If the inequity stays that long I think conceivably there would be a legal challenge from a number of clubs that have been disaffected," Lyon said.

All eyes will be on St Kilda’s Round 3 clash against Brisbane when Lyon and Fagan’s men face off at Marvel Stadium.