Watters hoses down hype

St Kilda coach Scott Watters has dismissed the extra significance of Friday night’s AFL match as his team plays against Ross Lyon for the first time.

Lyon stunned the AFL after last season when he walked out on the Saints and went to coach Fremantle, who had ruthlessly sacked Mark Harvey just before his appointment.

The Saints will host the Dockers in Friday night’s much-anticipated game at Etihad Stadium.

Watters has refused to buy into the hype surrounding the match.

Asked if the players had spoken about Lyon during the week, Watters replied: “I can honestly say it has not been mentioned once.”

Watters added in his opinion Friday night would not be different to any other home and away match and said there would be no particular personal challenge in coaching against his predecessor.

Watters was more concerned about Fremantle stars such as ruckman Aaron Sandilands, captain Matthew Pablich and small forward Hayden Ballantyne, who returns from a two-game suspension.

Watters said his players would be ready for Ballantyne’s gamesmanship, after he got into the heads of several Geelong players in round one.

Cats star Matthew Scarlett is serving a three-match ban for striking Ballantyne.

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