St Kilda players have responded after news broke of coach Ross Lyon's comment at training which prompted a meeting with Indigenous Saints players.
Current Saints Brad Hill, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Liam Henry, as well as Michael 'Sonny' Walters who played under Lyon at Fremantle, shared a post to social media following the report appearing to come into bat for the coach.
On Monday night, veteran footy journalist Caroline Wilson told 7's The Agenda Setters the Lyon commented "I love the brother boy connection, but we all have to remember we are part of a bigger team here" after three Indigenous players linked up during a drill ahead of the Saints' bye. The exact wording of what was said has not been confirmed.
The matter reportedly led to a personal phone call from Hill, a long-time player coached by Lyon at both the Saints and Dockers, as well as an "emotional" meeting at the club.
Any tensions were eased in the meeting attended by Indigenous St Kilda players, according to Wilson, who told the program Hill was not pleased the incident would become public.
Hill commented on a social media clip of the discussion on The Agenda Setters writing "We love Ross", followed later by his post of an image with himself, Lyon and Wanganeen-Milera arm-in-arm.
"Sorry Caro but we love Ross," the post read.
Wanganeen-Milera, Henry, and Walters reposted the photo.
"Ross the (GOAT)," Wanganeen-Milera added. "One of us" was written by Henry.
Walters added: "Ross loves the Indigenous culture. He's more open to learn than any of you".
Lyon is expected to address the media ahead of the Saints game this weekend.
In a statement aired on 7's show on Monday, he admitted to learning a lot out of the incident.
"I'm not here to justify or try to rationalise what I said. We are all only as good as our next moment and it was a moment I understand I misjudged," he wrote.
"Was I being flippant? Could it be described as casual racism? I learned a lot out of what happened.
"It didn't land where it should have landed and I have to wear that and I take full responsibility for what I said. I was very emotional at the meeting, and I offered to consider my position."
Wilson told The Agenda Setters the comment at training had not sat "well ... certainly not with Brad Hill or Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, or any of the other Indigenous players who heard the comment".
