Dockers' Lyon hits back at critics

Updated May 31, 2012 15:41:13

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says it is not time to panic despite his team's worrying form slump, claiming he and his players are crystal clear on the areas they need to improve.

The Dockers have been hit hard by fans, past players and the media following back-to-back thumpings at the hands of Hawthorn and West Coast, with Lyon's defensive tactics coming under particular scrutiny.

Tenth-placed Fremantle (5-4) could slip even further down the ladder over the coming month, with Saturday's home clash against third-placed Adelaide to be followed by games against Richmond (MCG), Essendon (home) and Collingwood (MCG).

But Lyon was confident his team would rebound from a disastrous fortnight.

"There's really no panic, but as I always say to my players ... if you're ever under any anxiety or stress, whatever you're feeling, emotions are just feelings," Lyon said on Thursday.

"So whether you're happy, confident or stressed, focus on what's important - that's getting into action.

"We do as a club, that's what I do as a coach."

When asked what he thought of Carlton great Mark Maclure's claim that he was destroying the game with his defensive tactics, Lyon replied: "I don't think I'll dignify that with a response."

But he was more forthcoming when asked about Kevin Bartlett's view the Dockers had become "unwatchable".

"Kevin's been banging on for a long time. I wish when the teams I coach played great football the headlines were as loud," Lyon said.

"At the end of the day there's a lot of minnows out there that like to get heard above the pack, and there's clearly some heavy hitters in journalism that have an opinion.

"You guys are trying to get heard. How do you do that? I don't think you get heard if you're vanilla.

"Everyone's entitled to their opinions.

"I don't think I'll dignify that with a response either."

Lyon said he and his family hadn't been overly affected by the criticism, saying he had been in a "vacuum" while he attended his day-to-day family duties.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, australia, wa, perth-6000

First posted May 31, 2012 15:37:42

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Suns hit back at Ablett critics

Posted April 18, 2011 20:17:00

Criticism of Gary Ablett has already become "tiresome", according to Gold Coast Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft.

Eyebrows were raised when Ablett remained in Melbourne for three nights after the Suns' heavy loss to Western Bulldogs then missed Sunday's 90-point shellacking by Melbourne at the Gabba due to calf soreness.

Especially after Ablett admitted on ONE HD's recent program One Week At A Time that he had crossed paths with Brent Moloney late on the night that cost the Melbourne midfielder the Demons' vice-captaincy.

While no one accused Ablett of drinking, Hawthorn great Shane Crawford became the latest to criticise the Brownlow Medallist when he suggested the Suns captain was in "party mode".

Ablett has done everything with consent and Gold Coast has mentioned numerous times that other players at the club have spent more time in Melbourne than the dual premiership winner.

But Ablett has come under fire for not doing enough to be perceived as a team man.

However, Ashcroft said the flak would not change anything at the club.

"It (criticism) is a bit tiresome because from an internal point of view he is doing everything right and doing a very good job as the captain of our footy club," he said.

"Gary is a complete professional. He does everything he needs to do to recover and prepare himself for a game of footy.

"Last week he had some soreness that forced him to miss yesterday's game (against Melbourne).

"But there is no direct correlation to him staying back in Melbourne (after the Dogs game) and missing yesterday's game."

Ashcroft insisted Ablett would play against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

And he did not think Ablett could have done more as Suns captain, despite also copping criticism for spending too much time away from the club from Melbourne great Garry Lyon, ex-Richmond coach Danny Frawley and Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett.

"People are entitled to their comment but what is important to Gary is how we perceive him and we have a very high regard for Gary and everything he has done has been with our blessing," he said.

"We have a lot of good young kids coming through and Gary is a terrific role model to them - Gary is certainly setting an example for them."

There may have been a perception Ablett spent too much time away from the Suns because he was such a high profile athlete in Melbourne.

"We treat it (time away) on an individual basis. But we encourage our guys catching up with family and friends - they deserve to have some time with family," Ashcroft said.

"It's just that Gary is more recognisable. When he goes back to Melbourne everyone wants to get his autograph - he stands out in a crowd."

- AAP

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