‘Play to his tools’: Lyon resistant to move

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says Mitch Owens is a natural forward and will remain in attack despite the Saints’ midfield being put under strain due to injuries.

Owens, who booted 26 goals in a breakout second season, has struggled to replicate his output in 2024 along with much of his side.

The 20-year-old was drafted from St Kilda’s NGA academy with the view he could emerge into a big-bodied midfielder, but Lyon said he was eager to continue playing him as a “power forward”.

It comes despite the Saints missing Mattaes Phillipou (hip), Seb Ross (calf) and Brad Crouch, whose career is under threat as he battles a degenerative knee condition.

Instead of turning to Owens to fill the void in the middle against West Coast on Saturday, Lyon recalled out-of-contract veteran Zak Jones as an on-baller.

The speedy former Swan earnt another chance against Essendon on Saturday with an impressive 26-disposal performance.

AFL great Dermott Brereton called in the pre-season for Owens to shift into the middle, likening his game to Fremantle star Nat Fyfe’s, but Lyon suggested recruiters could have been wrong with how they viewed the No.33 pick.

“We think we play Mitch to his strengths, he produces numbers as a power forward that not many can do,” Lyon said.

“We’re happy with the role he plays. In saying that, he’s been a mobile ruck, he has been inside mid a little bit, but I wouldn’t think that plays to his tools.

“He went late in the draft, and as a power forward he’s done exceptional things as a young player.

“Leo Barry was drafted as a forward, became a great fullback, Justin Leppitsch a key forward, became a dominant key back.

“So I think what happens in the (under-18s), their growth, (recruiters) don’t always get it right.”

Lyon said he was “hopeful” Phillipou – who has emerged as a potent full-time midfielder following an extended stint in the role at VFL level – would be fit for the round 21 clash against Brisbane.

He confirmed St Kilda medical staff were discussing Crouch’s future with him as the 30-year-old battled a knee problem that flared in the pre-season and had kept him to only one senior game.

“That’s all being worked through. It’s a degenerative knee (condition), our medical team is working through it,” Lyon said.

“I know that’s what finished me (Lyon’s playing career), but the difference is he’s a really good player, right?

“He’s certainly been a long-term degenerative knee that we’re trying to get right.”