St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has shut down suggestions that he was dodging an HIA assessment for youngster Darcy Wilson in their 38-point win over North Melbourne on Saturday.
Wilson collided with North Melbourne's George Wardlaw in their clash on Saturday.
Saints doctors were keen to get Wilson off the ground to assess him, but the youngster was checked over and remained put.
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When asked about why Wilson wasn't benched post-match, Lyon declared the move made a "statement" about the unrelenting toughness he wants his side to continue to adopt.
"Docs would like to get them off, but if they can stay on, they stay on," Lyon said post match.
"It makes a statement.
"Let's not be a namby pamby and wrap him up and get him off when the kid deserved to stay on."
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Wilson went on to collect 21 touches in the win.
Kane Cornes rated the move by Lyon and his openness post-match to explain why Wilson didn't come off.
"That's coaching, I love that insight," Cornes said on Nine's Footy Classified.
Caroline Wilson laughed at Lyon's antics and fearlessness to make calls that put his club's culture above all else.
"He's politically incorrect, isn't he," Wilson said Footy Classified on Monday night.
"He's spoken about other clubs this year. He's spoken about Essendon, Collingwood. Now he's had a crack.
"It's good culture to stay on the ground (according to Lyon)."
The Saints are 3-5 and sitting 14th on the ladder, facing off against Hawthorn on Saturday afternoon.
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