After four weeks on the road, the Saints are back on their home deck to take on the Hawks for Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Get all the latest from Ross Lyon ahead of the Saints' Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash at Marvel Stadium against the Hawks.

1. Spreading the forward love

He's been the talk of the town for weeks on end, and even after his return from injury, Max King and his four-goal return is still top of the agenda.

Although the Saints' list of goalkickers was less varied compared to previous weeks, King's wider influence on the Saints' forward stocks and ability to bring the small forwards into the game was apparent, and is something Lyon hopes will continue to develop heading into the second leg of the season.

Ross says...: It was an exciting return, obviously. He got reward for effort and brought a bit to the table which we were thrilled about. We thought it may happen, but it happened a little bit quicker. We had an expectation that we set for Tim (Membrey) as well, just compete and play your role... we've certainly done it without out you and nice it's to have you back, but we've proven we can win games without you, which I think has felt quite good for Max. As a three (King, Caminiti and Owens), I think we weren't 'King-focussed' which was really pleasing for me and the group.

2. Don't underestimate the Hawks

Ross Lyon has long said that there's no easy rides in the AFL, and the Saints certainly won't be underestimating Hawthorn in what will be their first home game since Round 7.

The 16th-placed Hawks were red-hot in Tasmania last weekend, dispatching West Coast by a whopping 116 points in a comprehensive showing that showed no signs of slowing down.

Even with the Saints having the wood over the brown and gold in their past five encounters, Hawthorn's capacity to fire quickly on the attack and get on a roll when playing to their gameplan remains a threat heading into Round 11. 

Ross says...: By chance I’ve actually caught a bit of their footy. Their first half against Geelong was incredible, it took a reigning premier to claw that back, and I remember tuning in at half-time against Melbourne and thought ‘oh it’s 50 to 60, it’s good to see Melbourne get to work’. What I make of (the Hawks) is that if you let them play on their terms and don’t apply any heat on them, they move the ball really quickly and score heavily.

3. Membrey on amber

While Mitch Owens has been categorically ruled out this week's Sir Doug Nicholls Round fixture, a verdict is yet to be made on fellow forward Tim Membrey.

Membrey missed Round 10 with concussion after hitting his head in a marking contest from the week prior, and is yet to exit the AFL's mandatory concussion period.

St Kilda's final line-up will be confirmed tomorrow evening at 6:20pm, which will have Membrey as a chance to feature. 

Ross says...: He's still working his way through concussion protocols, it's going smoothly but that can change with the wind, we know that. I'm certainly in a position to pre-empt anything. If it was black and white, I would, but it's not so I can't. Mitch is tracking well... we haven't set a timeline, it's when he's right, but all going smoothly he'll be back hopefully post-bye.

4. State of Origin

With the Blues and Maroons set to kick State of Origin off next week, it's inevitable that nostalgia is stirred and the question pops up once again whether or not the AFL should reintroduce the much-loved concept.

Lyon represented the Big V in the seconds side in 1990 against Tasmania and would be keen to see it return again from a spectators' perspective, however it's a different story when he puts his coach's hat on.

Ross says...: It's above my pay grade, but I like it as a spectator. They still play Kernahan vs Roos, the two mullets on a Tuesday night, and Timmy Watson going head-to-head with the Rat Platten... some great footy was played. I'd love to see it, you'd pack the MCG if you got full bottle both teams, but if you put your club hat on... it's a hard one. It could be great to grow the game.

5. Good luck, Mini

The AFL world was caught by surprise when triple-premiership coach Damien Hardwick announced his departure from Punt Road, effective immediately.

In his place comes a former Saint Andrew McQualter, who steps in as caretaker coach following an 89-game career in red, white and black.

Lyon even admitted he had tried on numerous occasions throughout the years to poach McQualter and have him join his own coaching personnel, but wished him all the best for his role at Tigerland.

Ross says...: A protégé in a sense, Andrew McQualter, 'Mini', has got the opportunity. I tried to pinch him to be honest - he probably never told the Tigers that! - and we sort of went pretty hard. They have a way of playing the Tigers with their 'Tiger Football', and no doubt that would be paramount in their thinking. I don't think they're going to come out with someone who's going to take them away from the fundamentals they believe in as a footy club. It'd be great to see Mini get the job.