Former Fremantle and St Kilda coach Ross Lyon is widely regarded as an AFL coaching pioneer for his game-changing approach to defence but rival Grant Thomas believes he wouldn’t help a team in the modern game because of a “manic imbalance between offence & defence.”

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Thomas was axed by the Saints as coach in 2006 and replaced by Lyon after setting the foundation for the club’s list, Lyon then guided the side to back-to-back grand final defeats just three years later.

A random punter posed a question to Thomas if the current Melbourne Demons could “win a flag under (Current coach Simon) Goodwin? And if not is Ross (Lyon) the boss the man?”

An hour later the Thomas, who has had a frosty relationship with Lyon, argued his defensive-minded approach would not help the Demons of today.

Lyon made it back to the grand final with Fremantle in 2013, losing to Hawthorn and in total has lost three grand final appearances and drawn one in 2010.

“No,” Thomas said via twitter.

“Ross could buy Ged need to address his manic imbalance between offence & defence. It’s cost him at least 2 premierships.”

Lyon now holds a media position as an AFL expert in Melbourne but has been linked to moves to multiple clubs since being axed by the Dockers in 2019.