Former Essendon captain James Hird has told Ross Lyon to ‘save your money’, with the St Kilda coach set to contest a handful of umpiring decisions paid to Nick Daicos last weekend.
Lyon applied a heavy tag on the Collingwood superstar during Saturday’s 34-point loss at Marvel on Saturday, sending expert tagger Marcus Windhager to patrol the two-time All-Australian in what often turned into a feisty scuffle off the ball.
Hird counted and replayed a handful of free kicks paid to Daicos on Monday night’s episode of Footy Furnace, stating all four were correctly umpired and that Lyon basically had no case to take to the AFL.
“There’s four free kicks Ross is going to take to the AFL and ask for their opinion,” Hird said. “And he’s going to get free kick, free kick, free kick. There’s not much point Ross, I’d save your money.”
MORE: Nick Daicos tag defended by David King
While tagging elite players has helped some clubs combat guys like Daicos from racking up monstrous disposal numbers, umpires have often turned a blind eye to the roughhousing that comes with heavily defending an opposing player for all four quarters.
“Taggers are a good part of the game to negate someone. But if they do step over the line, free kicks should be paid,” Hird went on to say.
Despite Windhager’s best efforts, Daicos still finished with 30 touches and a goal to help keep Collingwood on top of the ladder, strengthening the case of several coaches who are opposed to tagging altogether.
"Those free kicks were definitely there."
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) June 22, 2025
After Ross Lyon said the Saints would speak with the league about the umpiring of the Windhager-Daicos match-up, James Hird breaks down each free kick the Pies star was awarded 👇#9FootyFurnace | Watch on Nine & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/JX4wZMsEQK
“We’ll probably go early and look at a couple of those free kicks,” Lyon initially said following Saturday’s game, “I’m not sure they were free kicks. Are there two sets of rules going around? I’m not sure.”
Windhager is also set to receive a $1,500 fine for striking Daicos in the ribs behind play.