Melbourne great Garry Lyon has returned fire at Hawthorn's Jeff Kennett, saying the AFL club president has "bully tendencies".

Earlier on Thursday, Kennett criticised Lyon for agreeing to help the embattled Demons only for the next few months.

Kennett said Lyon should make either a long-term commitment to his club or butt out.

The Hawks boss also accused Lyon of thinking he was the saviour of the Demons.

Melbourne confirmed on Thursday that Lyon would be a consultant for the rest of the season, liaising between the board and the football department.

"If you're framing a market on who's going to shoot their gob off first about this stuff, he'd be $1.01," Lyon said on Channel Nine's The Footy Show, where he is a co-presenter.

"I still would have lost 100 grand because he would have been backed off the map.

"Why he feels the need to stick his nose into other clubs is beyond me.

"I don't know whether people are bluffed or they sit back - he's got some bully tendencies, Jeff."

Lyon said Kennett had inherited a strong club when he took over from previous president Ian Dicker and should concentrate on running the Hawks.

Kennett will step down as president at the end of this season.

"I reckon a hell of a lot (of people) at Hawthorn are going to take a deep sigh of relief when he leaves at the end of the year," Lyon said.

"The thing with Jeffrey about his comments today, he gets personal in relation to me.

"He reckons I'm huffing, puffing, strutting around and saying I'm the kingmaker - there's nothing further from the truth - so he's either ignorant, ill-informed or he's lying.

"We're not the first club he's had a crack at and I guess there comes a time when Melbourne have to stand up and defend themselves.

"I'm not copping that from Jeff Kennett."

Lyon also said again he would not coach Melbourne, even if ailing club president Jim Stynes made a personal plea.

Lyon added he had no say in the sacking of coach Dean Bailey earlier this week or the reappointment of Cameron Schwab as chief executive.

"I've never, ever said I'm the saviour of the footy club," Lyon said.

"The fact is, I'm going to help a mate (Stynes), I don't know if I'm any good at it or not."

Lyon had one piece of good news on Thursday night, saying Stynes was feeling better.

The dramas at Melbourne over the weekend clearly affected Stynes' health and he is back in hospital as he battles cancer.

"He's had a fantastic day today, which is really good news," Lyon said.

"He's lucid, he's determined to get to the game on the weekend (against Carlton) ... he continues to defy."

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