I've welcomed sainthood, says Lyon

ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon has strongly refuted suggestions that he has not embraced the club since taking the top job at the end of 2006.

Lyon has been in the media spotlight for much of St Kilda’s inconsistent season but he said any ideas that he was not passionate about his position were unfounded.

"There was an opinion that I hadn’t mentally embraced St Kilda. Fundamentally I found that offensive, baseless and disappointing," Lyon said.

"The fact of the matter is the connection with Sydney has been rammed down my throat since I came here and my friendship with Paul Roos and the game-plan.

"I’m the senior coach at St Kilda and there is nothing in my assistant coaching history that comes close to this position or the satisfaction and commitment I get from the role."

Lyon said while each game was important to his side, this week’s match against the Bulldogs would not necessarily be season-defining.

"Teams have turned 5-6 and played in grand finals. I was speaking to Rob Harvey the other day. In 1997 they were 6-7 and ended up in the grand final,” he said.

"It’s the most important game because it is this week’s game."

St Kilda’s recent injury woes look to be easing with Fraser Gehrig undergoing a successful hand operation on Tuesday and Steven Baker expected to make a return with Casey this week after overcoming a knee injury.

While Gehrig recovers, Lyon said Matthew Ferguson could become a permanent fixture in the Saints’ forward line.

Hamstring injuries had kept Ferguson to just 10 AFL games in five seasons but he impressed in Sunday’s win over Melbourne despite kicking 0.4.

"He’s a good story because he fought back ... he gave something different, he added a bit of speed and power and he can go back. If he can keep going it is something that other teams will have to plan for," Lyon said.