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St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says he will adopt the sage advice of departing AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan as he continues to build the Saints into a premiership threat.

The Saints’ season ended with a 24-point loss to Greater Western Sydney in an elimination final at the MCG on Saturday. They trailed by seven goals twice at different points of the game, and both time rallied, but the Giants held firm. The Giants will play either Brisbane or Port Adelaide in a semifinal.

Saints skipper Jack Steele had a career-high 38 disposals, and was instrumental in his side finding a spark when shifted into the midfield. Jack Sinclair was also busy, while ruckman Rowan Marshall was robust around the ground. Max King, while booting three goals, was unable to drag his side to victory.

The Saints had 10 men playing their first final, and Lyon says they will have learnt about what is required to deliver in a September contest.

“It’s been a nice, safe, bubbly environment to be truthful, we have been really level,” Lyon said of the overall season.

“It’s not about one week, you earn the right [to play finals]. I ran into Gillon McLachlan, he has a bit of a passion for the Saints at some level. But, it [his message] was: ‘Ross, don’t try and build it in 12 months, build it over the longer term’.

“I feel that has been the approach, not burning out anyone, and just getting there the right way. I feel we just have to continue to do that. Gillon, who has helped build the AFL into what it is, I think it’s pretty sage advice for a coach at St Kilda like me.”

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