AFL 2018: St Kilda could be set for mass off-field changes at the end of the season
AFL
There could be mass off-field changes at St Kilda over the off-season.Source: Getty Images
VETERAN AFL journalist Caroline Wilson has warned things at St Kilda could “completely erupt” after the season as tensions inside the club at both administration and board level threaten to boilover.
After approaching the 2018 season with high expectations, the Saints have produced just four wins and a draw, ensuring they’re facing a bottom-four place at the end of Round 23.
And according to Wilson, the scene seems just as shaky off the field for the Saints, who still carry one of the biggest financial debts in the AFL, which is believed to be in excess of $10 million.
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Round 22
“There’s the tension with the AFL, there’s the tension with the fixture and how they’re affecting the fixture, there’s political tension now with the board and then you’ve got the tension with (chief executive) Matt Finnis and (football boss) Simon Lethlean,” Wilson told 3AW’s Sportsday.
“Hold your fire, (because in) 10 days’ time it’s going to erupt. I think it’ll completely erupt.”
St Kilda president Peter Summers.Source: News Corp Australia
THE BOARD
Wilson said the most significant off-field change during the off-season would occur at board level.
President Peter Summers could be forced to step down one year ahead of schedule, with Wilson alleging that factions were being formed in a bid to oust Summers.
“I think it’s a power struggle going on at the St Kilda footy club, certainly at board level within and without the board,” Wilson said.
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“What we do know is there will be pressure on Peter Summers to step down a year before his term says he should step down. And there is strong opposition as to who should be the next president.
“There’s a faction backing Jim Watts, the former (St Kilda) CEO and former AFL consultant. There’s a faction backing (Seek co-founder) Andrew Bassat.
“There is certainly a view that most of the board, or a large proportion of the board, needs to move on. We think Andrew Thompson, long time footy director, is probably going to step down at the end of the year and we also know now that most of the board believe Peter Summers has to go.
“They’re also going to sack a few of themselves as well.”
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THE COACH
It was revealed on Monday night that a loophole in coach Alan Richardson’s contract could give the Saints a window to end his tenure a year early.
In October 2017, the Saints signed their senior coach until the end of the 2020 season, while football boss Simon Lethlean recently backed Richardson to coach next year.
But Richardson’s job in 2020 season is dependent upon a performance-based trigger clause in 2019.
Wilson said it would be unlikely that the Saints would move on Richardson prior to the 2019 season, especially considering the club’s debt.
But she added that a bad start to the 2019 season “could be a complete disaster” for Richardson.
Alan Richardson, coach of the Saints.Source: Getty Images
“This is a footy club that thrives on footy success. St Kilda need to be successful on the field,” Wilson said.
“We all like Alan Richardson, but it just hasn’t happened for him. I know they were only a game or so outside of the eight a couple of seasons ago, but it’s just been appalling what’s happened.
“On balance, even though it’s getting pretty dire, I think with the new team around him, perhaps he does deserve one more year.
“The list management just hasn’t been good, neither has the recruiting.
THE FOOTBALL BOSS
Lethlean came in as the club’s new, objective eyes and ears ahead of the 2018 season, joining St Kilda as the new head of football.
But he joined the Saints after being sounded out for a few AFL club chief executive roles — and Wilson believes the lure of being a CEO still looms large for Lethlean.
“The elephant in the room is Simon Lethlean, who wanted to be a club CEO, missed out on the Carlton job and knocked back the interview for the Bulldogs job and ended up at St Kilda,” Wilson said.
AFL footy operations manager Steven Hocking with Saints general manager of football Simon Lethlean. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia
“Depending on who you talk to, there’s a view that Simon Lethlean would be the man to take over as the CEO of St Kilda.
“I’m not so sure about that. He’s never been a CEO. I would say you might need someone with more experience — and I’m not saying Matt Finnis is gone.”
Wilson said there was tension between Finnis and the AFL, as it’s the league’s view that not enough has been done to clear the Saints’ large debt.
AFL
- August 15, 2018 6:26am
- by Staff Writers
- Source: FOX SPORTS
There could be mass off-field changes at St Kilda over the off-season.Source: Getty Images
VETERAN AFL journalist Caroline Wilson has warned things at St Kilda could “completely erupt” after the season as tensions inside the club at both administration and board level threaten to boilover.
After approaching the 2018 season with high expectations, the Saints have produced just four wins and a draw, ensuring they’re facing a bottom-four place at the end of Round 23.
And according to Wilson, the scene seems just as shaky off the field for the Saints, who still carry one of the biggest financial debts in the AFL, which is believed to be in excess of $10 million.
LIVE Stream every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >
Round 22
“There’s the tension with the AFL, there’s the tension with the fixture and how they’re affecting the fixture, there’s political tension now with the board and then you’ve got the tension with (chief executive) Matt Finnis and (football boss) Simon Lethlean,” Wilson told 3AW’s Sportsday.
“Hold your fire, (because in) 10 days’ time it’s going to erupt. I think it’ll completely erupt.”
St Kilda president Peter Summers.Source: News Corp Australia
THE BOARD
Wilson said the most significant off-field change during the off-season would occur at board level.
President Peter Summers could be forced to step down one year ahead of schedule, with Wilson alleging that factions were being formed in a bid to oust Summers.
“I think it’s a power struggle going on at the St Kilda footy club, certainly at board level within and without the board,” Wilson said.
READ MORE
TRADE WHISPERS: EAGLES’ BID FOR VETERAN, SUNS EYE FRINGE CAT
REVEALED: FULL SQUAD OF BEST AFL YOUNG STARS FOR 2018
“What we do know is there will be pressure on Peter Summers to step down a year before his term says he should step down. And there is strong opposition as to who should be the next president.
“There’s a faction backing Jim Watts, the former (St Kilda) CEO and former AFL consultant. There’s a faction backing (Seek co-founder) Andrew Bassat.
“There is certainly a view that most of the board, or a large proportion of the board, needs to move on. We think Andrew Thompson, long time footy director, is probably going to step down at the end of the year and we also know now that most of the board believe Peter Summers has to go.
“They’re also going to sack a few of themselves as well.”
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODE OF THE FOX FOOTY PODCAST BELOW, OR TAP HERE TO SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES
THE COACH
It was revealed on Monday night that a loophole in coach Alan Richardson’s contract could give the Saints a window to end his tenure a year early.
In October 2017, the Saints signed their senior coach until the end of the 2020 season, while football boss Simon Lethlean recently backed Richardson to coach next year.
But Richardson’s job in 2020 season is dependent upon a performance-based trigger clause in 2019.
Wilson said it would be unlikely that the Saints would move on Richardson prior to the 2019 season, especially considering the club’s debt.
But she added that a bad start to the 2019 season “could be a complete disaster” for Richardson.
Alan Richardson, coach of the Saints.Source: Getty Images
“This is a footy club that thrives on footy success. St Kilda need to be successful on the field,” Wilson said.
“We all like Alan Richardson, but it just hasn’t happened for him. I know they were only a game or so outside of the eight a couple of seasons ago, but it’s just been appalling what’s happened.
“On balance, even though it’s getting pretty dire, I think with the new team around him, perhaps he does deserve one more year.
“The list management just hasn’t been good, neither has the recruiting.
THE FOOTBALL BOSS
Lethlean came in as the club’s new, objective eyes and ears ahead of the 2018 season, joining St Kilda as the new head of football.
But he joined the Saints after being sounded out for a few AFL club chief executive roles — and Wilson believes the lure of being a CEO still looms large for Lethlean.
“The elephant in the room is Simon Lethlean, who wanted to be a club CEO, missed out on the Carlton job and knocked back the interview for the Bulldogs job and ended up at St Kilda,” Wilson said.
AFL footy operations manager Steven Hocking with Saints general manager of football Simon Lethlean. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia
“Depending on who you talk to, there’s a view that Simon Lethlean would be the man to take over as the CEO of St Kilda.
“I’m not so sure about that. He’s never been a CEO. I would say you might need someone with more experience — and I’m not saying Matt Finnis is gone.”
Wilson said there was tension between Finnis and the AFL, as it’s the league’s view that not enough has been done to clear the Saints’ large debt.
