AFL

With St Kilda’s wildcard hopes hinging on other results, coach Ross Lyon has admitted the Saints just haven’t been ‘good enough’ in 2026 after a 44-point loss to Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Sunday night.

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In a match where the winner would put one foot in the wildcard playoff, the Saints never really looked like winning the game — especially after superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera hurt his hamstring in the opening minutes of the contest.

To usurp the Blues from a wildcard position, St Kilda need to win their remaining two matches against Richmond (MCG) and Gold Coast (Marvel Stadium), and also require Carlton to lose against the Bulldogs and Fremantle — with both matches at Marvel.

It’s been a frustrating season for the Saints, who have had no issues defeating teams below them on the ladder but only have one win against a team above them — Carlton earlier in the campaign.

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In his post-match press conference, Lyon admitted the Saints simply were not ‘good enough’ to play finals in 2026, but insisted the team had improved on their 2025 campaign.

“I view it for what it is, we haven’t been good enough to get it done. That sits with me,” Lyon said.

“Internally, we know what our weaknesses are and where we need to improve. But we’ve been very, very competitive and our percentage tells it. Sometimes on teams, we don’t care about complexities and we just go: ‘They haven’t improved’.

“But that’s OK. I’ve got to wear it, I’m fine, I’m a big boy, I’m happy to take what comes.

“Leaders shepherd, protect, nurture and challenge their people under pressure. That’s my job and I’ll continue to do it until I’m either tapped, or I tap myself.

“I hate losing. It’s a winning business, but it is what it is. We’ve done so much right … you’ve got to take your moments. If you don’t, you’re going to have these nights, unfortunately.”

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