St.Kilda is facing a challenging period, and chief executive Carl Dilena is addressing it head-on. Dilena has publicly supported coach Ross Lyon’s more assertive coaching style, acknowledging the team’s recent struggles.

The Saints have slid to 13th on the ladder, increasing pressure as they approach their Friday night game against Fremantle. dilena admitted to the frustrations within the club, emphasizing that progress isn’t always linear.

Dilena addressed the team’s performance during the annual Spud’s Game launch against Carlton. He acknowledged the team’s inconsistent performance,stating:

It’s a bit of a bumpy road,I think. we always knew it would be up and down, you don’t have that straight-line, linear progression towards enhancement. So you do go through moments like we are,at the moment,where it is a bit frustrating,and you think we are not performing to what we should be.

Carl Dilena, St. Kilda Chief Executive

He highlighted early-season wins against Geelong and Port Adelaide, which raised expectations, but also noted the challenges of facing strong opposition.

The Saints’ struggles in the midfield have been a significant concern. Dilena explained:

I think we are getting beaten up in the midfield battle, not getting the ball going our way, and that’s being reflected in getting some pretty extreme inside-50 counts the last couple of weeks. We have got to turn that around, we have got to start winning the ball, and fixing up our defence, which has been a bit leaky.

Carl Dilena, St. Kilda Chief Executive

The team has conceded over 100 points in each of the last three games, marking a first since Lyon’s return to Moorabbin.

Lyon’s frustration became apparent when he substituted 19-year-old Hugo Garcia early in the second term, replacing him with veteran Zak Jones. This decision drew attention, especially after fan footage showed Lyon giving Garcia and Ryan Byrnes a stern talking-to on the bench.

Dilena defended Lyon’s actions, stating:

Personally, I would just make a personal comment – I love that aspect. Anyone that has been a parent and has dealt with kids,you can cuddle them and nurture them as much as you like,but occasionally,occasionally,ther might be a couple of stern words that go in there as well.

Carl Dilena, St. Kilda Chief Executive

He emphasized Lyon’s experience and drive to elevate the club’s standards,adding:

Ross is an experienced coach. He is just driven to get the absolute best out of our players, and raise the standards of our club. For him, being very tolerant and very cuddly for a while – for him to occasionally come out and give someone a bake, I think that is good.

Carl Dilena, st. Kilda Chief Executive

Lyon’s early substitution, though, left the Saints short on the interchange bench when Mason Wood suffered a concussion late in the game.

Despite not playing due to a pectoral injury, defender Zaine Cordy supported Lyon, saying he showed “that he cares and wants us to do well.” Cordy added, “We have got certain expectations, we probably haven’t been living up to them.”

The Saints have been actively seeking to acquire top talent from other clubs but have faced rejections from players like jacob Weitering, Finn Callaghan, Jordan De Goey, Zach Merrett, and Luke Davies-Uniacke. They are reportedly offering a significant deal to Carlton ruckman Tom de Koning and have considerable salary cap space.

Dilena affirmed the club’s ongoing pursuit of elite players, stating, “All clubs, including ourselves, are in the market all the time looking for talent to bring in – we have made no secret of that. We will keep doing what we can to bring as much talent as we can to the club.”