Lyon admitted after the game that the 61-point thrashing was an unusual feeling and was partly to do with the Saints lacking the leg speed of Carlton.
“I am taking a deep breath. We spoke to the players and that effort isn’t what we stand for. Ultimately I take responsibility for us playing like that,” Lyon said.
“We really never looked like it so it was the last thing I expected coming here. I haven’t felt like that for a long, long time and the aim is to turn it around quickly. We’ve got a big game coming against Essendon next Sunday so it’s a short turnaround.”
Lyon said the Saints’ usually sturdy midfield could not match the class of Carlton.
“They beat Geelong (two weeks ago) which is no mean feat and then the end score against Collingwood was not a true reflection of what they’re capable of and we certainly thought it would be won and lost in the midfield,” he said.
“We got well and truly beaten in there and their forwards are dangerous when the ball is coming in quick. They were the issues but we certainly knew what was ahead of us tonight. If you’re off in this game, you get embarrassed pretty quickly.”
One midfielder who had his colours lowered was Nick Dal Santo. The smooth-moving Saint had just five disposals in the first three quarters and finished with 12 for the match.
Lyon said while Dal Santo struggled with the close-checking tactics of Andrew Carrazzo, he did not get enough support from his teammates.
“If you’re not getting first hands on it, it’s very difficult when you’re getting sat on heavily. Normally we’re pretty good at helping Nick and Nick’s pretty good at working through it so it was one of those evenings,” he said.
Ruckman Steven King left the field in the third term with a minor hamstring injury. While the Saints are not sure yet how long he will be out for, Lyon said his replacement would likely come from one of two youngsters - Rhys Stanley or Ben McEvoy.
Out of form forward Justin Koschitzke spent some time in the ruck in the second half but Lyon ruled out using him permanently in the role.
“He kicked 50 goals last year and Riewoldt kicked 72. We’ve lost one key forward and I’d prefer not to lose two in the ruck,” he said.
“I could pick him as the No.1 ruckman but then who is going to play as our key forward? I didn’t think that was the issue. It was about quality ball and momentum coming in. You wouldn’t want to be a forward tonight.”
