St Kilda coach Ross Lyon apologizes after Indigenous players take offense at training comment
Consensus Summary
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon faced backlash after a comment during training, where he referred to a play by Indigenous players as a 'brotherboy connection', which upset Bradley Hill and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera. Lyon acknowledged the remark was misjudged and could be seen as casual racism, offering to step down and expressing emotional remorse during a meeting with players. Despite initial offense, Hill and Wanganeen-Milera publicly defended Lyon on social media, and the clubâs CEO Carl Dilena praised the resolution as harmonious. Lyonâs apology and the playersâ support highlight the complexities of cultural sensitivity in sports, with all parties emphasizing the importance of intent versus impact in communication.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Ross Lyon made a comment at training calling a play by Indigenous players a 'brotherboy connection', which upset players including Bradley Hill and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
- Lyon offered to consider stepping down as coach after the incident, telling players he 'misjudged' the moment and took 'full responsibility'
- The comment was reported by journalist Caroline Wilson on Channel 7's *Agenda Setters* on April 27, 2026
- Bradley Hill and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera publicly defended Lyon on social media after the incident
- Lyon stated, 'Was I being flippant? Could it be described as casual racism? It didnât land where it should have landed, and I have to wear that'
- The incident occurred during a training session in late April 2026, with the meeting between Lyon and players happening on April 26 (Monday)
- St Kildaâs Indigenous cohort is the second-largest in the AFL, with Lyon having a prior strong relationship with Indigenous players during his time at Fremantle
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Liam Henry, who moved from Fremantle to St Kilda, wrote 'One of us' in support of Lyon on social media
- Michael Walters (Fremantle) shared the defensive post and wrote, 'Ross loves the Indigenous culture. He's more open to learn than any of you'
- Lyon is expected to speak to media this week as the Saints prepare to play Carlton on April 27, 2026
- The article includes a separate story about Essendon forward Isaac Kako suffering a medium-term injury (6â8 weeks) and Port Adelaideâs Zak Butters refusing to decide his future until seasonâs end
- Caroline Wilson reported that Lyon was 'almost relieved' the story was reported, believing 'the truth in some weird way will set him free'
- Bradley Hill reportedly told Lyon, 'look, you wouldnât have said that if it was three white players, so you shouldnât have said it to us'
- St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena described the incident as a 'pretty innocent oversight' but emphasized the importance of assessing comments by how they are received
- Dilena stated Lyon 'is running a pretty safe environment with our First Nations boys' and that the issue was resolved 'harmoniously'
- Lyon told media on April 28, 'Culture is really important and behaviour is really important and I made an error unintentionally'
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Lyon's comment was 'deemed casual racism' by Indigenous players, while ABC and The Age frame it as Lyon acknowledging it *could* be described as casual racism but denying intent
- The Age reports Lyon offered to address the entire playing group after the initial meeting, but players insisted it wasnât necessary; ABC and Guardian do not mention this specific offer
Source Articles
Indigenous players defend Lyon after comment at training led to 'emotional' meeting
Several indigenous players who have played under Saints coach Ross Lyon come to his defence after comments he made during a training session led to a meeting where Lyon offered to stand down.
Lyon offered to consider his position as St Kilda coach after âmisjudgedâ comment upset Indigenous players
Ross Lyon offered to reconsider his position as St Kilda coach after a comment he made at training upset Indigenous players at the club, according to a TV report.
Indigenous players back St Kilda coach Ross Lyon after comment deemed âcasual racismâ
Lyon says matter is resolved after making âerror unintentionallyâ AFL coach thankful for support after âbrother-boyâ comment St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has received the backing of his clubâs chief executive after a group of Indigenous players â including star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera â took offence following a comment made at training earlier this month. Lyon made the comment when three Indigenous players lined up together for a drill, saying, âI love the brother-boy connection, but we all have to