Yeah you make some good points and I have huge respect for your opinion on this forum so it’s concerning finding myself in opposition but I feel like there is an hint of rose coloured glasses (which probably o***et my opposite tinged glasses) around how well he works out.
My main issue is, I just can’t see where this sudden change comes from. Last year he was clearly fringe with Robertson preferred, who could be back as soon as this week and if not I’d strongly expect him in round 3. So there is absolutely no reason to think Lyons’ JS has suddenly become rock solid, and very good reason to think it’s suspect. I’m also pretty sure his best issue wasn’t limited to being the sub as he actually started and was subbed off in a couple of games. So even being named this week is a risk - if Coleman hadn’t been injured he may well have been the sub vs Carlton. Purely hypothetical, but the body of evidence across last year supports him being fringe/sub risk much more than him returning to a line midfield role.
I definitely agree that getting him in could be tricky, but I don’t think that alone is a reason to start him. We can’t crystal ball those trades, but the pathway to him could be much easier than it seems. But starting a risky pick to avoid the need for a correction trade seems crazy - if he is a risk he’s a risk, and if he’s not he’s not. If he becomes a must get, then so be it. But you only get 1 score for a guy locked in your team before the price rise, and who knows.. you might have more problems in round 3 which means you have to carry him even if getting subbed. Plus if you start a guy in that midfield spot with no bye who scores 70 both weeks, they will comfortably outscore him off his 1 round 2 score.
FWIW I think he could be amazing, but in the absence of clear information around why things are suddenly different and the evidence last year that showed his position, I think it’s prudent to see how it develops.
One thing I will say though is it does depend on the make up of your side and overall risk profile. For example having Lyons and Fyfe feels extremely risky given the compounding nature of things, but only one should be manageable.
The thing with Robertson is he was really only selected over Lyons in rounds 18-22 when Ashcroft was out.
Robertson got to play midfield in those games and was objectively terrible so I don’t think it’s as simple as saying he will definitely take Lyons spot this season after he failed when he had the opportunities last year.
Other than that stretch he played nearly no midfield.
That also lined up with Lyons having a poor VFL game, a bye and then he was back into the team (albeit as the sub for every game rounds 23-GF).
They had a near perfectly healthy list at that time.
With Ashcroft likely out for 6-8 weeks, Coleman out for the season there’s definitely a strong argument Lyons plays midfield (possibly subbed but don’t see it unless he plays really poorly with a lot of other sub risks in their team right now) for at least the first 5-6 weeks which is all you need for him to make a tonne of cash and then move off of him.
Ashcroft, Coleman out for the first 6+ weeks.
Robertson, McKenna to come back in.
But there’s also Lohmann, Lester/Payne/Gardiner (one of them could easily be dropped), Ah Chee and Fletcher who could all be dropped for those 2 players as well.
Most teams have 6-7 guys who run through the middle at a bare minimum. Lyons have Neale, Dunkley, Berry and Clug (less time than last year, more outside so far) so there’s definitely room for Lyons with some rotation of Robertson and maybe Zorko at times (unlikely at his age and role imo) too.
Definitely get your sentiments around the coaches not rating him last year but he was also on the back foot all pre season too having not trained with the senior group and not selected before round 5 in the team at all. This season he seems preferred simply by starting from round 1 with Ashcroft’s injury and Zorko no longer spending time through the middle.