Wanganeen-Milera's profile went through the roof last year, with his 34-disposal, four-goal matchwinning effort against Melbourne the highlight of a breakout season when he signed a two-year extension worth $2 million per season.
But the 23-year-old was held to 19 disposals and a goal by Magpie Harry Perryman in opening round, before Melbourne's Koltyn Tholstrup restricted him to 18 disposals and three goals in a 13-point defeat on Sunday.
"It's part of the business, right? It's the most uncompromising business in Australia," Lyon said after St Kilda's second consecutive loss to start the season.
"So that's fine. I wouldn't have thought he's walked off destroyed by 15 (sic) and three goals.
"And we wanted to use him a a bit more off half-back.
"So, yeah, we'll continue to work through it. Everyone, he's a very young player."
Wanganeen-Milera often went forward and was stuck on the bench for six minutes at one point in the decisive final quarter.
Lyon indicated he'd given the young gun the opportunity to decide where he could impact the game, and believed three goals was a strong output.
"It was really simple - he had a licence to go anywhere," Lyon said.
"He was getting tagged, so you just put a tag and you open up your forward line.
"And I said, 'Mate, you can take the kick-in, you can go behind the ball, you can go to the stoppage, or you can go there' - and the young player that was on him was cramping.
"Sometimes you've got to let them drive the car ... But it's a steep learning curve, and we're not a proven top-four team or finalist, and with a lot of experience, I can just edge him along a little bit better than we are.
"I thought he fought. I'd take three goals from him."
Melbourne coach Steven King revealed a plan for Tholstrup to line up on Wanganeen-Milera, including training the youngster up in defence, was devised three or four weeks earlier.
"Koltyn is an ultimate, ruthless competitor, so I knew throwing him a task would be something he'd really like and enjoy," King said.
"And he's got an amazing profile athletically, so I was really keen to find a role for him today. Is it something we do every week? I'm not sure.
"But I knew this game today needed Nas's influence quelled to a fraction - and we weren't able to stop him. He's always going to have impact.
"But I thought Koltyn to stick to the task, and keep him to the eight touches in the second half was pretty special."
22°C