The man in as good a position as any to speak about Lenny Hayes the footballer has paid the retiring St Kilda legend a glowing tribute.

Ross Lyon coached Hayes from 2007 to 2011; a period the Saints made three AFL Grand Final appearances in without achieving the ultimate success.

If a single quarter of football could encapsulate his career, it was the final term of the epic drawn Grand Final in 2010.

St Kilda appeared headed for defeat, but a Hayes goal from 50m sparked a comeback.

At every pivotal moment from that point on, the Saints’ midfielder was involved. It was his launch towards goal from 60m that bounced right and dribbled through the behind posts for the tying score.

Hayes won the Norm Smith Medal for his performance that day.

“When things were desperate, you could rely on Lenny,” Lyon said.

“When everyone was fatigued and exhausted, Lenny could dig deep and find a bit more, and that's really what separates the great players.

“Leave no alibi, leave no excuse, lay it all out on the line, and if we lose, so be it.”

Hayes had already undergone a knee reconstruction before the 2010 decider, and he’d require another one the following season. Two years later a hole was discovered in his heart that needed surgery.

As a rule, Lyon doesn’t normally talk about opposition teams or players, especially in a week leading up to a game against them.

But Hayes, who this week announced he’d end his career at season’s end, holds a special place in his former coach’s heart.

“We all come to the end and he's left nothing in the tank,” Lyon said.

“My memories of Lenny were that he was a great leader and an incredibly hard trainer.

“I always talked about him playing without restraint and he played without limitations, regardless of the scoreboard, up or down, he played the same.

“He has no regrets. He was a pretty special player.”