Ross Lyon's sin bin one week, Rising Star Saint the next - it's been an eventful few days for AFL young gun Hugo Garcia.
The St Kilda second-year midfielder is the latest Rising Star nomination after he impressed on Friday night in his side's emphatic win over Fremantle.
Garcia racked up 19 possessions, 10 tackles and a goal.
The weekend before, he was the unfortunate victim of a full-blown bake from his coach on the interchange bench as Brisbane were dominating the Saints.
Lyon also raised eyebrows when he subbed Garcia out of the match early in the second term of the Lions loss.
After Garcia capped his polished game against the Dockers on Friday night with a snapped goal in the last term, Lyon was seen smiling like a benevolent uncle.
"He's a ripping kid. He said to me, 'I'm not going to be a victim'," Lyon said post-match.
"I don't know - there are plenty of people who maybe choose to be victims, who don't need to be."
Garcia, 19, has played 17 senior games since the Saints recruited him with their third-round No.50 pick in the 2023 national draft.
He has played all eight games this season, showing early signs that he might prove a bargain-basement draft selection.
