Morris responds to Lyon’s “create a story” jibe

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon wasn’t too happy with a report regarding Rowan Marshall’s future.

It came from Tom Morris who suggested on Channel 7’s Agenda Setters during the week that “a couple of players believe the Bulldogs will make a play” for Marshall.

The 30-year-old was looking to move on last year when it became apparent the Saints would recruit Tom De Koning from Carlton. It appeared as though a move to Geelong would be facilitated but it fell through in the end.

Marshall was enormous in a losing Saints side against the Cats last night, racking up 33 disposals, 30 hitouts, a remarkable 26 contested possessions, 12 clearances, 10 score involvements, six inside 50s and two goals.

After the game, Lyon was quizzed on Morris’ report.

Was he speaking directly to Morris when he said the following?

“It’s probably disappointing that he starts playing really well, and then someone creates a story that they spoke to AFL players, and they think the Bulldogs might come for him. Like, which players? St Kilda players? Bulldogs players? Gold Coast players?” Lyon told reporters after his side lost to the Cats.

“I understand you’ve got to fill content, but you’re actually creating your own story. Then, I get asked leading into the game about a story that’s been created by a journalist, and I have to say: ‘Noted’, and that he’s contracted. It’s the current world we live in.

“People are creating content to fill all the slots. It’s just the way of the world though, isn’t it? Journos are speaking to players that the Western Bulldogs might try and trade for Rowan Marshall, who is contracted, and then that becomes the story. 

“It’s fascinating, but if they can reconcile that with writing a story and filling their space, well then that’s the current world we live in.”

Regarding the Marshall story, Lyon concluded: “I’m here to talk about an AFL game. I note that there was a report, and I note that he’s contracted - that’s the end of it.”

Morris responded to Lyon’s comments on Friday morning.

He says contracted players are traded all the time and someone like Marshall should not be excluded from the discussion just because they have a deal for 2027.

“You create content to fill the slots but you don’t make up content to fill the slots,” Morris said on SEN Breakfast.

“You find out content and then you talk about it.

“I get that it’s inconvenient for Ross Lyon to be discussing contracted players during a Thursday night game, that’s the last thing he wants to be talking about.

“Particularly Rowan Marshall who is the glue in this dressing room. Part of the reason that St Kilda was so keen to keep him last year is because they know he is the glue.

“But it is the world we live in because contracted players do get traded regularly. In fact more often than not players who get traded are actually contracted.

“Last year the Saints pushed Jack Steele out with two years remaining on his deal. A contracted captain. They said, ‘We don’t want you anymore’.

“They picked up Liam Ryan who was contracted. The year before they picked up Jack Macrae who was contracted. They are entitled to do all of that because that is the industry and the world that we live in.

“The list of contracted players who were traded goes on.”

Co-host Sam Edmund chimed in: “There were also contracted players who were made to stay, and that’s Ross’ point. They’ve done it before and they’ll do it again, so he says.”

Morris is not saying that Marshall will leave, but he is reporting that he is looking at opportunities so he can be the number one ruckman somewhere.

“Saying that a player is still looking to get out is different to saying a player will get out,” he continued.

“I can’t say right now for certain that Zach Merrett will get out of Essendon, because in the end it’s up to the Bombers.

“I can’t say for certain that Rowan Marshall will get out of St Kilda, because in the end it’s up to the Saints.

“What I can say with a reasonable degree of certainty - but without knowing for sure because things can change - is that Rowan Marshall is having a look.

“He’s looking at Geelong, the Bulldogs is absolutely a club that is in the mix.

“St Kilda players are saying this - it’s not Gold Coast players, it’s not Dogs players. St Kilda players believe this.

“He wants to be the number one ruck, the big banana. Cal Twomey mentioned Carlton this week as well.

“These conversations only happen because contracted players get traded.”