Industry insiders have claimed that the footy world can expect a "funny" and "cuddly" version of Ross Lyon now that the 55-year-old has spent time as part of the game's fourth estate.
While maintaining their anonymity, members of the media toldย The Herald Sun's Scott Gulan that despite his past prickliness in post-game press conferences, Lyon's recent media roles have helped the coach soften.
โYouโre going to see a different version for sure,โ Gullan was told by one party.
Another party claimed the former Saints and Dockers steward had edged towards his true self as a pundit, a persona that will be hard to deny upon returning to the coaches box.
โYou will see more of the real Ross and I think that's what you saw with the Triple M Ross,โ they stressed.
โHe was a lot more open, more embracing of people and even cuddly.
โHe is very funny Ross, the actual opposite to the hard-edge disciplinarian the public saw at St Kilda and Fremantle. He's actually very humorous, he really can light up the room.โ
Though these reports may well prove prophetic, they come in the wake of St Kilda's desire to sign Lyon due to his perceived ruthlessness.
Yet, while those within the Saints' locker room are likely to see this softer touch in action, if their performances mirror many of those witnessed towards the end of the 2022 season, they can also expect to see plenty of the old fire and brimstone too.
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Although Lyon is yet to be officially announced as St Kilda's head coach for 2023 and beyond, the man that led the league's least-successful club to three grand finals espoused he was ready to resume his post at Moorabbin ahead of the weekend.
"I'm keen. My heart's been opened up to St Kilda through Andrew (Bassat) and Simon (Lethlean) and their board," Lyon told the Nine Network on Thursday.
"I don't like the narrative around St Kilda.
"Maybe it's deserved, but I think sometimes it's a bit disrespectful.
"Hopefully it can get to a point where I'm able to roll up the sleeves and help get in and change that."
While Lyon last led an AFL outfit in Round 22 of the 2019 season, those within his inner circle have claimed that this absence is unlikely to impede him.
โThere's no reason why he wouldn't be perfect for it, really. The game hasn't changed that much (since Lyon left the Dockers in 2019)," outspoken ex-Saint, and noted Lyon disciple, Brendon Goddard told The Herald Sun last week.
โHe still watches it and he still loves footy and his methods and his plan around how to build a culture, that hasn't changed."
Without much movement during the recent trade period, and a schedule for their 150th season yet to arrive, it is too early to tell whether those in Lyon's camp are on the money.
What is known is that if the Saints blow another top-four place at the bye and miss the eight in 2023, it's unlikely that the new-improved coach will be cracking wise or dolling out hugs.
Across his first stint at Moorabbin between 2007 and 2011, Lyon carved a 64.46 per cent win rate, also taking the Saints into 11 finals.
St Kilda has cycled through three coaches in the seasons since Lyon departed for Fremantle, with each of Scott Watters, Alan Richardson and recently sacked steward Brett Ratten failing to find any sustained success on Linton Street.
