Saints coach leaps to defence of under fire rival

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has lept to the defence of rival coach, Western Bulldogs leader Luke Beveridge, who has come under fire for causing a disconnect amongst players and key club figures.

Beveridge’s selections decisions, which include axing small defender Caleb Daniel and lack of clarity for his playing group has gained criticism, as the club struggles to repeat their 2016 premiership efforts.

Their 2-3 win-loss record has also come under fire, with fears he has lost trust from the broader Bulldogs committee.

Lyon slammed the doubt in Beveridge’s game plan, as the Bulldogs leader denied his club is going through a rebuild.

“(As an) AFL coach, the brethren, I think we get judged hard,” Lyon said on Tuesday.

“I think he is clearly great at what he does.

“I’m not here to talk about the Bulldogs, but I do hear the noise.”

The noise has now turned its attention to Thursday night, with the Dogs and Saints locked in to face off at Marvel Stadium.

Both clubs are 2-3 after five rounds, with both under pressure to prove their doubters wrong.

The Saints, however, will have to take on the Dogs with one less star, as key forward Max King looks unlikely to play.

Max King will miss this week with knee soreness.

King is sore after suffering a knee injury.

But Lyon is confident his side will fill the big hole left by the star young goalkicker.

“I think (Anthony) Caminiti has shown in the second half his really good form. Tim Membrey’s in pretty good nick.

“We’d love him (King) in, but we’re more than capable without.