The Saints only began pre-season training on December 1 after their long off-season break due to playing in the grand final replay.
Lyon said there appeared to be no lingering effect from the draw and subsequent loss to Collingwood in this year's two grand finals, but did not rule out that his players would feel them.
"On the surface they seem okay but it is going to be about the desire to do the work and do it consistently, to prepare as best they can and give themselves the best opportunity," Lyon told afl.com.au.
"There was severe disappointment. It's not about the mechanics, it's about the mental shaping after a grand final draw and a loss and the loss the year before and the ability to rebound mentally.
"Physically, not much is going to change so it's just about coming to grips with it and moving on."
The Saints have already gone about making some changes to the team that came within a kick of winning a flag.
Defender Sam Gilbert has been groomed to spend more time as a forward while Justin Koschitzke is set to spend more time in the ruck as the Saints work around changes to the interchange rotations that mean one player must be used only as a substitute.
"All ruckmen will have to be able to play forward," Lyon said. "We did that in the grand final anyway, with Jason Blake, (Michael) Gardiner and Koschitzke in the ruck, so we can handle that model.
"I don't know how difficult it would be for the opposition to match up (Gilbert), that's something I don't worry about.
"I just think he can bring real speed and agility and some height and athleticism to our front half and a competitive spirit. We'll see where that takes us."
The Saints have made sweeping changes to their assistant coaching staff with only development coaches Danny Ryan and Danny Sexton remaining from the 2010 campaign.
Paul Hudson, Adam Kingsley, Peter Berbakov and former Saints players Steven King and Robert Harvey have joined the panel.
"There is great energy and knowledge and also great experience," Lyon said. "They are all from successful systems, they are all really keen."
King and Harvey are taking charge of the midfielders, most of who played with the All-Australian duo in at least the twilight of their careers with the Saints.
Lyon said that previous connection would prove to be a benefit.
"That is going to help them. It helps them work with the players and that relationship is there. It is always nice to have that bond."
