Garry Lyon tipping huge things for St Kilda's ‘Flying Viking’

SEN • July 8th, 2025 4:59 pm

Garry Lyon is an enormous fan of young St Kilda defender Alix Tauru.

The ‘Flying Viking’ has only played the three games since being taken at pick No. 10 in the 2024 Draft but has quickly made an impact in the air.

The 18-year-old had a ridiculous 14 spoils against Fremantle in just his second game, the equal-most ever by a Saint and followed that up with 13 disposals and four marks, including a ridiculous contested grab, in his latest outing against the Hawks.

Having watched Tauru up close in two of his three games so far, Lyon has quickly fallen in love with the young Saint who he expects to one day become a star.

“I've never been as taken with a young player as I have been with Alix Tauru,” Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.

“I've fallen in love with lots of players… but I tell you what, I don't know whether it's because I've done two of his three games from a commentary point of view, and I’ve just gotten to watch him and see what he does in terms of how much ground he covers.

“Oh, my goodness. That is something for Saints fans (to get excited about).”

While the Saints disappointingly sit 15th and have lost their last four, Lyon thinks that going to watch Tauru alone is enough to get St Kilda fans attending the footy for their last seven games of 2025.

He also thinks that the club is in a pretty good situation with other star youngsters Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Mattaes Phillipou on the club’s list.

He also believes that adding free agent Tom De Koning as a free agent could be a luxury given how good some of their young stocks are starting to look.

“I know Ross is of this opinion as well, when you go ‘What’s going to happen to the Saints?’, you go, ‘Well, I'll tell you what'll happen. I’ll watch him (Tauru) play. Hold onto Wanganeen-Milera, park the $1.7 million for TDK’,” Lyon said.

“It’d be nice if they get him (TDK), but just hang onto Wanganeen-Milera, who is off the charts good and hope that Phillippou comes back.

“Then you’ve just got something to get excited about.

“All I’m saying for Saints fans, he (Tauru) is reason enough to go to the football every game for the rest of the year.”

Tauru is set to play his fourth AFL game when the Saints face the Swans at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.