“Had no clue”: Draft hopeful’s run-in with Ross Lyon

Draft hopeful Jackson Phillips has revealed the time he did his best to convince St Kilda coach Ross Lyon about his footy ability.

The Dandenong Stingrays winger/midfielder is a huge Saints fan and says his family is very entrenched in the footy world.

“We’re a massive footy family,” he said on SEN's Summer Run.

“I go for St Kilda, dad’s side is St Kilda and Hawthorn, and the rest of mum’s side goes for Collingwood. We’re a very big footy family.”

Phillips recently attended the Trevor Barker Award night with his dad where he had a quick word with both Lyon and Saints great Nick Riewoldt.

He was asked if he had spoken to Lyon from a draft perspective: “I haven’t!

“I actually went to the St Kilda B&F night with dad. It was a bit of a Father's Day gift.

“Obviously working full-time (as a groundsman at Peninsula Kingswood Golf Club), I had a bit of cash so I'm like, ‘Ok, let's go to the St Kilda B&F night’.

“So we went along, had a chat with him and it was very exciting.

“He had no clue who I was. I went up to him and just sort of thanked him for a great night and everything.”

Phillips explained that his quick conversation with Lyon was inspired by Riewoldt - his favourite all-time Saint.

“I spoke to a few players beforehand. Nick Riewoldt was my favourite player and is my favourite player of all time,” he added.

“He plays golf at PK (Peninsula Kingswood) as well. So I went up and had a chat with him and he asked if I played football. I told him I'm entering the draft and he's just like, ‘Oh, you should go up and chat to Ross’.

“So went up and had a chat with him and sort of told him about the player that I was.

“There's been nothing come through yet from Saints. So a little bit disappointing, obviously the club that I go for.”

The chat then turned to Riewoldt’s form on the golf course.

Phillips was asked if the Saints legend replaces his divots…

…the answer: “Oh, he's usually in the bunkers!

“I see this big bloke walking down the fairway and then next minute…

“I saw him three or four times down there and each time I saw him he was in a bunker.

“Sorry Rooey.”

Phillips starred for the Stingrays in 2026, making the Talent League Team of the Year, while also playing for Vic Country in the National Championships.

The Langwarrin product admits he has “no idea” where he’ll be taken in next week’s draft with many mock and phantom drafts having him around the 20 mark.