St Kilda Football Club has announced that Executive General Manager Tessie McManus will leave her position at the end of January 2025 to pursue a new opportunity outside of the AFL.
With a career spanning close to 30 years in football operations, McManus has been a pivotal figure at Port Adelaide, the AFL, Collingwood, and most recently, St Kilda. She joined the Saints in August 2021 as Head of AFLW, where she played a key role in building the foundation of the women’s program, focusing on player and list management while also supporting the men’s program in operations.
In 2023, McManus became the club’s inaugural Executive General Manager – AFLW, leading the growth of the women’s program and further cementing its future success.
St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena praised McManus for her significant contributions:
“We’re incredibly grateful for Tessie’s tireless efforts over her time at the Saints. Her professional standards and expertise have left both our AFL and AFLW programs in a strong position. We wish her all the best in her next chapter.”
Reflecting on her departure, McManus expressed gratitude for her time in the industry:
“After 28 years, I’ve made the decision to step away from AFL. It’s bittersweet as football has been such a huge part of my life, but I’m excited for this new opportunity. I’m confident the Saints’ women’s program will continue to thrive and achieve the success it deserves.”
McManus also shared her appreciation for the club and its people:
“I’ll always cherish the incredible experiences and relationships I’ve built in my career. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited for what lies ahead.”
The club has stated that a replacement for McManus will be announced in the new year as St Kilda continues to build on her legacy.
