When Ross Lyon arrived at Fremantle, Luke McPharlin was an experienced AFL player.
 
Nearing 200 games and at 30 years old, McPharlin had already played under three coaches.
 
“It’s always an interesting experience when a new coach arrives, all up I’ve played for four different coaches,” McPharlin said.
 
“There is always a sense of apprehension or expectation as to what they will deliver."

Grateful for guidance
 
“(But) from the moment Ross stepped in the door, we knew something was going to be vastly different.
 
“I was so excited from the first moment he opened his mouth and explained what he was going to do with this club.
 
“What it meant to be an elite and highly functioning unit, that’s what I think we’ve become.”
 
McPharlin said Lyon had not only left a lasting impression on Fremantle, since he arrived in 2012, but on him personally.
 
“I’m sure other players would agree, Ross Lyon has had an enormous influence at our football club, but certainly me as a person,” he said.
 
“A lot of the lessons he imparted on me and our club, I’ll carry for the rest of my life.”

McPharlin among club greats

McPharlin, who announced his retirement on Wednesday after 256 AFL games, said his father was also a great influence on his career.
 
“My dad in the early phases, in particular, played an enormous role in my career, particularly in terms of support and influence,” he said.
 
“The example he set for me as a father and the character traits, hopefully he instilled some strong ones in me.”