2006 Post Season Articles - Page 4
Grant Thomas Sacking - Coach Recruiting - AFL launch 'Next Generation' TV Money Expenditure
St Kilda Board and GT
by 'saintsRrising'
INTRODUCTION
GT was a great selection and was the right man for the job . . . when he was appointed. In hindsight I can now say that with no doubt.
He did a terrific job with a club that was in crisis . . . and be in no doubt we were a basket case on and off the field.
At such times a leader often emerges . . . GT was our revolutionary hero . . . was what was needed and did a great job.
However, like most good revolutionary heroes . . . one can normally get outmoded by the passage in time and by the very change that one has brought about. They become the victim of their own success.
GT was the right man for the job at the time. But times have changed.
The football world has moved on . . . and despite all GT's words about empowerment . . . be in no doubt that it was more a dictatorship with GT across small detail in so many areas.
WHAT OF OUR COMPETITORS?
Have a peek at the leading teams; . . . both in the AFL . . . and elsewhere in the sporting world.
What do you see???
Yes a good head coach . . . but he is flanked with a support team of many varied experts.
All successful teams have football managers, but broader than this they also have guys looking after areas such as innovation . . .
GT wanted to be all things . . .
No matter how good an individual is . . . a team working as a unit will be more successful than one man.
YES you still want a great head coach . . . but you want a coach that can focus of the footballers and match day tactics . . . leaving others to worry about sports science or innovation, day to day football matters etc.
The training of athletes and footballers is bounding along at present . . . and 'Stark' (Craig Starcevich) is a step in the right direction. But we need to do more.
Football is a professional sport these days . . . but what some have failed to realise is that this professionalism is not just the players but is the whole football club.
THE BOARD
I think some believe that the Board is there just to twiddle their thumbs . . . only there to get an axe out after the finals . . . or a hand to pat the backs of players and coach if merited.
NO . . . the Board of a football club was 'once' there mainly for those with egos to parade by saying they were a board member of an AFL Club.
Well yes, this probably makes them put their hand up . . . but the Board today of an AFL club have to act professionally.
It is their task to work throughout the year to set the direction and FUTURE direction of the club.
They are not just there for long lunches on match days.
They are not just there to appoint a coach every so many years or so.
They are there to CONSTANTLY seek ways for the saints to prosper on and off the field.
Let me repeat that . . . 'CONSTANTLY'.
They must have an eye on tomorrow and not just today.
They must seeks world best practice . . . not just by the coach but in all matters to do with St Kilda . . . and indeed how they act as a Board themselves.
This is what we now have at the Saints . . . a Club Board exhibiting Worlds Best Practice . . . though many are too blind or too pained by GT's departure to see it.
Just look at everything they do . . . from GT's departure to how players such as Loewe were sent off.
They do it very well . . . and are doing it very well.
Our Board is excellent . . . not a rabble like the Blues Board.
Other clubs now envy how the saints act off the field . . . even the journo's have picked up on it.
GT . . .
Yes he has been stiff, lots of injuries (though last year he was partly to blame as he recruited against the Board's wishes that incompetent . . . from Freo), supporters that stopped our run against PA when they ran on . . .
But such is life . . . some have luck and some do not.
The Board backed him fully . . . and gave him virtually every resource he requested . . . and after last season . . . more still.
However the coaching and sports management world has moved on.
The Board with its Duty of care had noted this . . . and as a Board should, had sought independent outside advice.
They took counsel as well as there own views.
They also gave Gt another year . . . and even recently, a choice to adopt what is now world best practice.
GT maintained that his way was best . . . but the weight of opinion was against him . . . not just at the saints, but in how other successful sporting teams are run.
The times had changed . . . but GT did not want to evolve with them.
This is why the change was made.
This is an outstanding St Kilda Board . . . committed to the ultimate and long lasting success for the Saints.
Even GT who still believes that his way is best is in no doubt that the Board are acting in their view, in the best interests of the Saints.
Yes there is pain for all involved at present.
However I have not doubt that these actions will result in a stronger and more effective St Kilda in 2007 and beyond.
Go Saints . . .
(PS and it is pleasing to know that GT will be cheering with us as he is a Saints man thru and thru)
'saintsRrising' saintsational.com
The Post + thread
"Thomas had to go..." 'kaos theory' et al - saintsational.com
Playing List 'st.mart' - saintsational.com
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A premiership to savour
Collingwood played St Kilda twice in the 1966 final series. They defeated the Saints by 10 points in the second semi-final to go straight into the Grand Final. St Kilda comfortably defeated Essendon by 42 points in the preliminary final. This set the stage for one of the most intense, tight and interesting Grand Finals in the history of the game. The match itself maintained the interest of the spectators until the final siren. St Kilda led by four points at quarter-time, Collingwood by one point at half-time, and the Saints by four points at the start of the last quarter. When play started in the last quarter, Gabelich was soon awarded the ball by umpire Geoff Crouch, to the dismay of the St Kilda supporters. The big man had the shot straight in front and only a few yards out.
The Article Jack Cameron/ABCSport/15Sept06
Thomas Orders Saints Players To 'Re-focus'
Recently departed St Kilda coach Grant Thomas believes it is time for the Saints' disgruntled playing group to "re-focus their attentions on the club" and get on with the job of winning premierships. Speaking on The Footy Show on Thursday night, Thomas said he was appreciative of players' support, but told them to get behind the club. He also admitted that the St Kilda board's decision to sack him was not strictly based on his coaching performance. Thomas said that his frayed relationship with club president Rod Butterss had contributed to his untimely demise. "There is no doubt I didn't have the best relationship with the people that mattered and that has been widely documented that it has deteriorated over a couple of years," Thomas said. "I think it's really important to have a whole host of boxes to be able to tick within a footy club. They are highly charged and emotional environments with a lot of personalities, and egos run around on a regular basis. I think that probably the box to tick in regards to the coach relationship with the board wasn't as healthy as it should have been and I have to take responsibility for that."
The Article Nine Network/enews/15Sep06
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"I arrived at the club when we were on the bottom of the ladder and what he has been able to do at the club is amazing. He has always had the full support of the playing group. That's why for us players it's so disappointing. He was really an inspiration to us all and we'll miss him . . . I suppose he just reiterated what he said yesterday in his press conference, just be strong, stay united as a playing group. He still wants us to achieve what we all set out to achieve together, that was his message . . . "
- Nick Riewoldt
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Thomas non-committal
Grant Thomas has held back from revealing why he was sacked as St Kilda coach, which stunned the football community on Tuesday, although he attributes his fractured relationship with president Rod Butterss as the major reason for him no longer being at the club. Thomas, who spoke on The Footy Show on Thursday night, said there was 'no doubt' that his relationship with Butterss and 'the people that mattered at the club' had 'deteriorated over a couple of years'. But when asked why he had been sacked - after leading the Saints into a hat-trick of finals campaigns for only the second time in the club's history - Thomas said: "I think it's private and it's personal."
The Article Sportal/15Sept06
St Kilda forms a sub-committee to appoint a coach
St Kilda has appointed Carlton premiership coach Robert Walls to chair a sub-committee entrusted with the job of finding a replacement for Grant Thomas . . . Walls will head a sub-committee - including president Rod Butterss, directors Glen Casey and Mark Kellett, 1967 Brownlow Medallist Ross Smith, former coach Ken Sheldon and chief executive Archie Fraser - which will help the club appoint a new coach. The sub-committee will conduct interviews with applicants and recommend a shortlist to the board. "The first stage of the process has now been completed by Stride Management. The next stage will be for this sub-committee, chaired by Robert, to undertake extensive interviews to provide a senior coach short list and recommendations for final interviews and selection by the board," Fraser said.
Harvey to line up in 2007 Sportal/14Sept06
Harvey to play on in 2007
. . . The announcement that Harvey would saddle up for a 20th season has provided the club with some welcome good news in a week in which it parted company Thomas, its second longest-serving coach. A two-time Brownlow Medallist and four-time club champion, Harvey, 35, needs just 10 matches next year to become the first Saint to reach the 350-game milestone.
The Article Andrew Wu/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/14Sept06
McKenna in Saints mix
Collingwood assistant coach Guy McKenna is the latest candidate approached for St Kilda's vacant coaching job. Head-hunters spoke to McKenna on Wednesday, the day after Grant Thomas was sacked as senior coach by the Saints' board. McKenna is understood to have said he's interested in being interviewed. A former West Coast captain and premiership player, McKenna was linked to Fremantle earlier in the season when the Dockers were going through a horror run. Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse has said he believes McKenna is ready to tackle a senior coaching job.
The Article Daryl Timms/HeraldSun/15Sept06
Pyke out of coach race Andrew Capel/HeraldSun/15Sept06
Freo coach angry over Assistants distraction Tim Clarke/CourierMail/14Sept06
Bombers may be interested in Gardiner AAP/TheAge/15Sep06
Thomas passes Alves
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas will become the club's second longest-serving coach at the MCG on Saturday when the Saints clash with Essendon . . . Saints president Rod Butterss praised Thomas for his efforts, since taking over from Malcolm Blight midway through 2001. "'Thomo' is a natural leader who is extremely passionate about the St Kilda Football Club and the sustained success we will achieve at the club. We are never afraid to push boundaries at the Club and 'Thomo' is always open to fresh ideas that can take the playing group and the St Kilda Football Club towards our common goal. As far as the St Kilda Football Club is concerned, Grant's record speaks for itself, his win-loss record, his ability to keep the list together and his leadership skills are without question. This milestone is of no surprise to the board with 'Thomo' equalling Stan Alves' record as the Saints second longest serving coach," he said.
The Article Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/14Sept06
Harvey signs for another season
Veteran St Kilda midfielder Robert Harvey has decided to play another season with the Saints. It will be the dual Brownlow Medallist's 20th season. Harvey was considering retirement after St Kilda bowed out of its third consecutive finals series without a premiership. He holds the Saints games record, having played 340 matches since his debut in 1988. Meanwhile, St Kilda has appointed Carlton's 1987 premiership coach Robert Walls as head of a sub-committee searching for a new coach.
The Article ABCSport/14Sept06
Harvey to play on for St Kilda AAP/SydneyMorningHerald/14Sept06
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"How is this bloke, when his club is in crisis, he always comes to the fore. No hoo haa, just a quiet little announcement that has such a big influence on things. I tell ya what if you ever wondered what happened to Trevor Barker's spirit when he died, look no further than Robert Harvey. He is an absolute living legend". 'mullet' saintsational.com
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$100m punt to over take rugby codes
The AFL will pour more than $100million in development money to NSW and Queensland over the next five years to establish itself as the pre-eminent code in Australia. The league yesterday released details of how it will spend $1.4billion between 2007 and 2011 and 15 per cent of it will go to game development and establishing new markets, especially in Sydney's west and in south-east Queensland.
The Article Greg Denham /TheAustralian/15Sept06
NSW to share in $100m kick from AFL Richard Hinds/SMH/15Sept06
Grant Thomas did it his way
Before the fall that shook the football world this week, the rise of Grant Thomas at St Kilda was one of unerring, seemingly unstoppable momentum. It began in 1999 when the Saints had reverted to type after a brief period of success and sunk back into the mire of perennial failure. Thomas, a former player and assistant coach, wanted to help. So he put himself forward to the then-president Andrew Plympton. As it turned out, the timing was perfect. The team, under coach Tim Watson, was in free fall on the ladder. The departure of Stuart Trott as the football director on the board created a vacancy. Plympton, president since 1993, had resolved to go the following year, once he'd seen through the deal to move to Docklands from Waverley. "Thommo approached me during the year and said, 'I'm interested. I've got a lot of time and I've got a mate of mine called Rod Butterss, who has just recently sold his business and wants to get involved as well.' So I introduced them both back to the club," Plympton said yesterday.
The Article Trevor Grant/HeraldSun/15Sept06
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"I think Grant's departure indicates a fundamental breakdown of relationships. Although I'm not privy to inside information it's clear this hasn't been done on a whim. Rod had to learn on the job, as did the new board, in 2000, and I think Rod and the board would be critical of their own performance at some levels back then. But over the last three or four years I see only a strong, consistent level of performance from them". - Andrew Plympton (Preceding President - St Kilda Football Club)
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AFL ticket prices frozen
AFL ticket prices will be frozen next year as fans and clubs reap the benefits of the league's new broadcast deal. League chief executive Andrew Demetriou yesterday outlined the breakdown of cash from the AFL's $580 million television windfall, with clubs receiving $6 million over five years and an injection of $208 million over the life of the broadcast agreement for game development in growing markets, particularly NSW and Queensland. An additional $82 million will be invested in a future fund. All clubs will receive a minimum of $6.1 million as a base to fund increases in total player payments - up $1.2 million a year. As well, the AFL has broadened the eligibility criteria for the annual special distribution so a range of clubs that previously received nothing will be paid dividends.
Fans win, too, in league's TV deal Lyall Johnson/TheAge RealFooty/15Sept06
Walls, Sheldon to help Saints choose coach
The search for St Kilda's new coach will start in earnest today with a list of about 20 candidates to be scrutinised by Brownlow medallist Ross Smith and Carlton premiership duo Robert Walls and Ken Sheldon. Walls, The Age's football commentator and Blues premiership coach, last night became the final piece in the panel's jigsaw when he agreed to help the Saints find a new coach but said he would be unwilling to chair the subcommittee. And in a welcome announcement from Moorabbin last night, dual Brownlow medallist Robert Harvey announced he would play on next year - his 20th season in VFL/AFL football, having made his debut as a 16-year-old in 1988 - despite the widespread reports of player disenchantment following Grant Thomas' shock sacking. Thomas, who gave his first extensive interview on Channel Nine' last night, admitted his personal falling out with club president Rod Butterss and other Saints directors, including Mark Kellett, had played a big part in his downfall.
The Article Caroline Wilson/TheAge RealFooty/15Sept06
Robert Walls!!! . . . "Good thing is that whoever they appoint you can guarantee that Robert Walls will not have a bad word to say about him". 'One Luke Ball' saintsational.com
Grant Thomas had to go
Former St Kilda president Andrew Plympton has strongly backed the sacking of coach Grant Thomas, saying he suspected "deeper issues" caused the board to act. "I think there has to be something more to it," he said. "There must be a range of deeper issues that has caused them to act with such urgency."
The Article Trevor Grant/HeraldSun/15Sept06
No, resign not re-sign
When calling a press conference, it's always an idea for everyone involved to have their stories straight. Tuesday's effort would have to go down as one of the most amusing media calls in recent history. It reminded me of the time the Iraqi Minister for Information turned up at his press conference to flatly deny the Americans had rolled into Baghdad -- holding a quarter-pounder and large fries. The board of the St Kilda Football Club regrets to inform that it has accepted the resignation of Grant Thomas as coach. Thomas: "I'm gutted." OK, well he didn't really resign, it was actually a mutual decision. Thomas: "I wanted to see out my term."
The Article Trevor Marmalade/HeraldSun/15Sept06
Lindsay Fox faces payback
As veteran Robert Harvey last night committed to a 20th season with St Kilda, another club stalwart, Lindsay Fox, found his position as the Saints No.1 ticket-holder under threat. Harvey, 35, who has played a club record 340 games for St Kilda since 1988, told officials he would continue playing. The dual Brownlow medallist and his manager Shane Casley decided last week Harvey was capable of one more season at the top. Fox's future is not so secure. The club board is believed to be seething at the trucking magnate's attack on the handling of coach Grant Thomas's sacking and will review Fox's position at the end of the year.
The Article Jim Wilson/HeraldSun/15Sept06
Robin Hood approach by AFL
The poorest AFL clubs will be given their best chance of catching wealthy rivals, with the league providing massive cash under its financial strategy plans for the next five years. The Kangaroos are the biggest beneficiaries and will receive $9.7 million next year, $3.5 million more than the affluent Adelaide, Collingwood, Brisbane, West Coast and Fremantle. Another AFL battler, the Western Bulldogs, will reap $9.2 million, while Melbourne will get $8 million. In a significant change, the AFL has added Carlton, Hawthorn, Richmond and Adelaide to its list of clubs that receive annual special distribution.
The Article Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/15Sept06
Four rookies required
All AFL clubs will be required to have a minimum of four rookie-listed players on their list from 2007 as part of the AFL's new Next generation - securing the future of Australian football package unveiled on Thursday at Telstra Dome. And a mature-age rookie over the age of 23 could be part of the deal in the near future, according to AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou. "That's going before the commission," Demetriou said. "It's been approved at the executive level for an over-23 rookie - one per club - and that's been a submission made by clubs and coaches. (The clubs) say: 'There are some late maturers out there and some that have missed out on an opportunity, and we wouldn't necessarily (select them in the NAB AFL Draft), but we might rookie them and would you consider having a spot for an over-23 rookie'."
The Article Matt Burgan/AFL/saints.com.au/14Sept06
VFL finals teams HeraldSun
How the Bulldogs sunk their teeth into Akermanis Richard Hinds/SMH/15Sept06
$650m boost for clubs
The AFL has revealed it will spend $650 million over the next five years on its 16 AFL clubs - with more money being given to several needy AFL clubs - as part of the revenue raised from its new media deal. The AFL launched Next Generation - Securing the Future of Australian Football on Thursday at Telstra Dome, with money generated from its new media deals - television, radio and internet - as well as other sources of income to be distributed to AFL clubs, the competition, game development and facilities over the next five years. All together, $1.4 billion will be distributed by the AFL over the next five years, in what is clearly the greatest investment in the game in the history of Australian football.
The Article Matt Burgan/AFL/saints.com.au/14Sept06
Trade on agenda Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/14Sept06
Clubs must work hard: Demetriou Matt Burgan/AFL/saints.com.au/14Sept06
Next Generation - Securing the future of Australian Football AFL/saints.com.au/14Sept06
 | Next Generation Media Presentation (Microsoft Powerpoint required) AFL/saints.com.au
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Thomas proud of Saints
Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has spoken at length for the first time since his shock departure from Moorabbin and has praised the club's playing group for its leadership and spirit. Thomas, speaking on Melbourne radio station SEN on Thursday morning, said his successor was bound to be impressed by the way the players go about their business. "I'm very proud of the playing group and what they can achieve. I think they are very strong from a leadership perspective and I think that anyone who comes into the club will be very surprised and amazed I would think at the level of maturity and leadership they do possess," Thomas said. "(Also) their level of empowerment they've got within the club. Anyone who comes to the club from another club shakes their heads and they can't believe the spirit, the morale and the way they go about it. It's different from any other club they've been to."
The Article Sportal/14Sept06
Thomas comforts stunned players Jon Pierik/TheAustralian/14Sept06
Sacked Thomas urges commitment to Saints
. . . Thomas got part of his wish as the Saints announced the club's games record-holder Robert Harvey has committed to playing on in 2007, his 20th AFL season . . . In an interview on Channel Nine's The Footy Show, Thomas acknowledged he did not have the relationships with St Kilda's board and president to survive as an AFL coach. He also stood by his coaching achievements at the club, and said his successor would inherit a team with enormous potential. Thomas wouldn't criticise the board which sacked him as coach on Tuesday, but admitted he had his differences with the club's directors including Butterss, once a close friend.
The Article AAP/SMH/15Sept06
Solo approach sank Thomas
Less than a day after St Kilda sacked its coach Grant Thomas, president Rod Butterss said his board had become frustrated with Thomas' "Alex Ferguson model" of running the club. Ferguson, who has been manager of English Premiership club Manchester United since 1986, is renowned as one of the world's most autocratic coaches. "Thommo favoured a model, the Alex Ferguson model, where he basically ran every aspect of footy," Butterss said. "Finances, the draft, overseeing recruiting, match day and training services, psychology and everything. We're of the view that we need best of breed in each of those particular positions." Butterss hinted at numerous changes to St Kilda's football department before next season, and not just the appointment of a general manager of football operations. "We need a national and even a global view in terms of those roles, and I suppose (what) we're saying is that we just don't believe that one man is equipped to do all of those roles as best of breed."
The Article Greg Denham/TheAustralian/14Sept06
Police investigation to harm Cresswell pitch Jenny McAsey/TheAustralian/14Sept06
Thomas' legacy: Saints ready to tackle the summit Tim Watson/TheAge realFooty/15Sept06
Reaction varies on sacking
St Kilda chief executive Archie Fraser last night rated the public response to coach Grant Thomas' sacking as 50-50. He said calls and emails he had received were probably split equally between support and disagreement over the club's decision to axe Thomas on Tuesday. "Unless you're internal to the club you wouldn't know some of the tremendous work Thommo did," Fraser said. "He had his lovers and he had his haters, but generally it's been pretty much 50-50. Most people, I think, are adopting a wait-and-see attitude."
The Article Jim Wilson/HeraldSun/14Sept06
Players want answers
Angry St Kilda players yesterday demanded answers from the club board after the sacking of Grant Thomas. Veteran Andrew Thompson said the players wanted to know that last Friday night's elimination final loss to Melbourne had not contributed to the decision. Several out-of-contract players were also concerned about their status. Thompson said the players were shocked, disappointed and did not understand the decision. "We just wanted to make sure that the decision to sack Thommo wasn't based on one game on Friday night when we ended up with 16 fit players," Thompson said on SEN.
The Article Michael Stevens and Rebecca Williams/HeraldSun/14Sept06
Lindsay Fox sees red over sacking
St Kilda's most powerful and wealthiest supporter Lindsay Fox has launched a scathing attack on the club's board over its handling of Grant Thomas's sacking as coach. Fox is believed to be exploring the options of forming a ticket that may challenge the board. Last night, Fox's son David was mentioned as a potential board member along with former president Andrew Plympton and influential businessman Gerry Ryan. Fox, the Saints' No. 1 ticket-holder, said much of the responsibility should lie with the board and president Rod Butterss. "In a situation like this, you don't point the finger at the bloke in the middle. It should start at the very top," Fox said.
The Article Jim Wilson/HeraldSun/14Sept06
Same old story but the young players wanted different end
While the St Kilda players reacted to their coach's sacking with emotions ranging from shock and anger to cool acceptance, club president Rod Butterss was decidedly upbeat. Lapsing fluently into the corporate jargon for which he is renowned, Butterss claimed the Saints now boasted world's best practice when it came to axing AFL coaches. "There's no perfect way to go about implementing difficult decisions but I think we do it as well as anyone," Butterss said. Proof that St Kilda has fine-tuned the art because it has more practice than most of its rivals was reflected in the face of veteran player Robert Harvey yesterday.
The Article Andrew Ramsey/TheAustralian/14Sept06
Harvey decision looms
St Kilda veteran and dual Brownlow medallist Robert Harvey said yesterday he would make a decision on his playing future within days, but he is under no pressure to make that decision quickly, according to St Kilda president Rod Butterss. Amid the controversy surrounding the axing of senior coach Grant Thomas, Butterss said yesterday a decision on Harvey's future would be left to the eight-time All-Australian. As Harvey left Moorabbin yesterday, he said he would make a decision about his future within a week, maybe two. Butterss said: "Robert Harvey will be afforded all the time and all the resources necessary to make that decision." Harvey, 35, played every game this season, his 19th, and holds the games record at the club after passing retired teammate Nathan Burke's 323 games in the round-seven loss to Geelong.
The Article Martin Boulton and Michael Gleeson/TheAge RealFooty/14Sept06
Roos backs Longmire
John Longmire is ready to coach his own team, according to the man who should know best. Sydney coach Paul Roos gave his long-time assistant an unconditional endorsement last night as St Kilda openly addressed the task of replacing Grant Thomas.
The Article Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/14Sept06
Swans hope Longmire stays ABCSport/14Sept06
Longmire top tip for Saints job Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/13Sept06
Everitt back in the Saints mix
Grant Thomas's sacking has given Peter Everitt the chance to return to his former club. Everitt, 32, who told Hawthorn last week he wanted to be traded, had no chance of going back to the Saints had Thomas remained as coach. It's understood Everitt, who moved from St Kilda in 2002, has some support at Moorabbin for a return. Thomas had made it clear that there was no place in the St Kilda line-up for his former ruckman.
The Article Daryl Timms/HeraldSun/14Sept06
Saints may beat Swans to Everitt Richard Hinds/SydneyMorningHerald/14Sept06
Lowly Essendon starts making changes AAP/TheAge/14Sept06
Aka chooses Bulldogs for 2007 ABCSport/14Sept06
SANFL club goes to Supreme court over suspension The Article AAP/TheAge/14Sept06
Butterss: Players angry
St Kilda president Rod Butterss has conceded that sections of the playing group are angry and disappointed by the club's sacking of Grant Thomas as senior coach. Thomas agreed to the club's request that he should stand down after five and-a-half years in the job on Tuesday while protesting that he believed he should have been entitled to remain as senior coach. Butterss and Thomas both met with the playing group on Wednesday morning for a session that lasted approximately 15 minutes in which Thomas urged the players to move forward.
The Article Sportal/14Sept06
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On a lighter side with a touch of irony
St Kilda unveils new "rotating coaches" system
Always innovative, the St Kilda football club announced yesterday that it had decided to extend its successful rotating captaincy system to embrace the coaching staff. "Actually, we've been doing this for a while," Club President Rod I-Can't-Believe-It's-Not-Butterss told thebladder.com. "We just haven't explained it to the fans or media before." Coach Grant Thomas has made way for a new coach who is fully expected to make way for a new coach within three years, the president explained.
The Article thebladder.com.au/14Sept06
Thomas injured in freak sacking announcement thebladder.com.au/14Sept06
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Saints shooting for star
Some of the biggest names in football are included on St Kilda's "shoot for the stars" coach hunting list to replace Grant Thomas. While Sydney's John Longmire is seen as the leading assistant coach, it emerged last night that an experienced coach was St Kilda's preferred option. Although they would be considered longshots, Collingwood's Mick Malthouse and Port Adelaide's Mark Williams will be approached, as will Western Bulldog Rodney Eade and three-time Brisbane premiership coach Leigh Matthews. Malthouse, Williams, Matthews and Eade are all contracted next year, with Eade poised to commit to the Dogs for a further two years.
The Article Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/FoxFooty/14Sept06
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"He has all the attributes to be a senior coach. He has done a great apprenticeship. Seeing him in the last two years, he's just got great footy knowledge and his work with our midfielders has been terrific. He's done it the Chris Connolly way and the Alastair Clarkson way. He's done the hard yards." - Rodney Eade on Chris Bond
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