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Round 11 AFL 2007 Premiership Season - Pre-game Articles - St Kilda vs Kangaroos
The main objective of today's training session seemed to be use of the corridor and playing on at all costs. They did a number of full ground drills. Lyon did not make an appearance (I don't know if this is normal or not). The Clarke brothers, Dal Santo, Gardiner and Gwilt did some handball drills together and left the track early. None of them participated with the main group. Leigh Fisher walked a few laps with one of the fitness staff, before leaving the track. Would have to be very doubtful to play. Hayes and Ball did not particpate with the main group, but ran multiple laps. Nothing to worry about there. Harvey ran a few laps as well. Hamill and Maguire trained with the main group for a while, before leaving the track. Both look quite fit, particularly Maguire who looks raring to go. Jones trained very well and did not seem to favour his collarbone, definetly would be in the minds of the selectors. Allen also completed the session. The Post 'Gilbert The Great' saintsational.com (Ross Lyon was carrying out a press conference during part of the training period - WoM) Summarising GT's comments on SEN (Saturday Morning) • Disappointed that RB went to the media, any issues should have been handled "off the radar". • On contacting players to go out drinking. - The only event that occurred even remotely like this was the day after Rendell was sacked. Milne contacted GT at the bar and joined them for a drink. It was here that he told Milney he would have cut him from the list. • On contacting players in general. - Any contact with the players has not been initiated by him and it is a very rare occurrence. • On interfering with contracts or trying to lure players to other clubs. - Has not been in contact with Ricky Nixon over player contracts and would not involve himself in such things. • On requests from the club to "butt out". - There has been no contact from the club at any point making such a request. • On cancelling the meeting that led to RB going public. - No such meeting was ever scheduled. After RB went on SEN he then tried to setup a meeting between himself and GT at a cafe in Brighton. GT rejected the location on the grounds that the media would be all over them 5 minutes after they walked in the door. GT suggested a more private meeting place. RB rejected it on the grounds that he thought GT might biff him. The Post 'Grimfang' saintsational.com AFL boss warns off board challengers AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has warned a would-be challenger of St Kilda's board to steer clear and let the club sort out its disputes. Demetriou said media personality Steve Bedwell, who is reportedly mounting a challenge to oust Saints president Rod Butterss, should stay out of it if he loves his club. Bedwell is reportedly organising a six-man ticket to remove Butterss and his incumbent board after tiring of the Saints' on-field struggles and Butterss' ongoing dispute with former coach Grant Thomas. Butterss' dispute with Thomas, whom he sacked last year, turned nasty this week when the president accused his former great mate of undermining the club. Demetriou took the unusual step of speaking on the St Kilda board's behalf by warning Bedwell and any other would-be challengers to let the current board resolve the club's problems. "The last thing a football club needs is instability and for people to think to put their hands up and run challenges against people on boards," Demetriou told Southern Cross radio. "The St Kilda Football Club, regardless of what people might think or might write, is a very well-run football club, very sound at board level." The Article AAP/RealFooty/08Jun07 AFL boss warns Saints snipers Adam Cooper/AAP/RealFooty/08Jun07 Butterss 'feared for his safety' St Kilda president Rod Butterss last night admitted he did not want to meet sacked coach Grant Thomas for fear of being harmed. As the rift escalated between the two men, Thomas yesterday denied an improper relationship with his former players and accused president Rod Butterss of refusing to meet him privately because he feared a fistfight. Thomas said he had never called players when drunk, had not interfered with the contract negotiations of star forward Nick Riewoldt and reserved the right to be employed by the Saints' major sponsor, Bill Express. But it was Butterss's refusal to meet him other than at a public cafe that showed how deeply the relationship has been damaged. Responding to Butterss's allegations for the first time, Thomas said on SEN radio he was flabbergasted by the continued innuendo. The Article Jon Ralph and Jackie Epstein/HeraldSun/10Jun07 Thomas hits back at Butterss . . . sacked coach claimed Butterss was worried a private meeting would mean a physical confrontation between them. "Initially Rod wanted to meet me at a cafe in Brighton, to which I said 'you're delusionary if you don't think there's not going to be five TV cameras within five minutes there'," he told radio station SEN. "He didn't seem to agree with that, but having said that, we don't agree on too much. I just felt it might have been a little bit too much of a public place. I then said let's meet in private and he wasn't that keen on that because he thought I may have done something to him physically, was his concern." Thomas then mocked Butterss, saying he was "a lover, not a fighter". "He felt I may have, I don't know, punched him on the beak, or something, which would have been well in his favour," Thomas said. "I'm not the sort of person who has fights with other people, physically - I definitely wouldn't have a fight with Rod Butterss, he's not the sort of person that I believe can defend himself physically. I was a former team-mate of his and he's just not that sort of person - he's a lover, not a fighter and I've got no need to fight with him or punch him." The Article AAP/TheAge/09Jun07 Thomas: Butterss feared I'd punch him AAP/HeraldSun/09Jun07 (same article as above) Thomas refuses to meet with Butterss The dispute between former coach Grant Thomas and St Kilda president Rod Butterss has worsened, with the pair now unable to meet face-to-face to resolve their public differences. Although Thomas would not comment on the matter last night, The Age believes he is extremely aggrieved at comments made by Butterss on radio this week and has consulted his lawyers regarding a possible libel action or other legal remedy. This week, Butterss told radio station SEN that Thomas was exerting negative influence over the club, suggesting that the deposed coach was too close to some players. That was followed yesterday by further suggestions, attributed to Butterss, that the former coach was intruding on the club's relationship with sponsor Bill Express. Yesterday, Butters said he had telephoned Thomas, offering to meet him and resolve the ugly spat. Butterss told The Age Thomas had refused to meet him. The Article Dan Silkstone/RealFooty/09Jun07 When private issues become public spats I make no apologies for the passion, love and belief I have in the club I played for, was a director of and recently coached over a span of 18 years. It is against that backdrop that I have been deeply hurt and offended by the comments made during the week by the club president and some members of the media. It will not be difficult for the voracious supporters that love our great game to understand the level of passion and commitment you can possess for your team. My team is St Kilda — unashamedly — and I am very proud to have represented it. My patience — which is often not my strong point — has been sorely tested this week. Even more so as the allegations are without substance. Individuals may think they will be advantaged by going to the press to air their views. But St Kilda can only be damaged by private matters and disputes being played out in the media. St Kilda is capable of putting 50,000 bums on seats at every game. It has the capacity to make a sustained impact in the competition. The character, unity and integrity of the playing group will overcome all challenges. The coach, Ross Lyon, has shown tremendous leadership and strength through a very trying initiation. He is an extremely capable individual and will steer the club through this difficult period. I have consistently said that I do not want to conduct a slanging match via the media, and I stand by that. Now on to more important things. Today the Saints have a defining game ahead of them. The Kangaroos have led the way in dealing with adversity; they have personified the "backs-to-the-wall" mentality over recent years. I have no doubt the Saints will come out firing following the dramas of the week and in a show of support for their coach. That's what they are like — they really care about their club and their people. This can also be said of the Kangaroos when they recently made a statement on behalf of their coach Dean Laidley. The Article Grant Thomas/RealFooty/10Jun07 St Kilda squabble hots up St Kilda president Rod Butterss would not meet with former coach Grant Thomas to discuss the pair's public spat because he was worried he would be assaulted, Thomas claimed yesterday. A telephone call between the two former friends has become the latest flashpoint in a running battle played out in public during the week. Butterss told The Age on Friday that he had called Thomas, asking if the pair could meet to resolve their differences. He said the former coach had refused to meet with him. Yesterday, Thomas hit back, saying the meeting had not gone ahead because Butterss insisted on each man bringing a chaperone. Thomas told The Age Butterss had suggested the pair meet at The Deck bar, a Brighton restaurant, but Thomas told the Saints president he was "delusional" because the meeting would immediately attract media attention. The Article Dan Silkstone/RealFooty/10Jun07 Ex-Saints back Thomas to coach Former Saints Justin Peckett and Aussie Jones believe sacked coach Grant Thomas could again coach an AFL club if he wanted. Thomas was dumped despite becoming only the second St Kilda coach behind Allan Jeans to take the club to the finals in three consecutive years, with debate swirling about his legacy after St Kilda's 4-6 record this year. Sacked by president Rod Butterss, Thomas has said he would not coach another club, but several positions are likely to be vacant by the end of the season. Coaching Mornington Peninsula club Karingal after retiring last year, Peckett said Thomas was an excellent coach. "I have no doubt he could coach another AFL side. He is a very good coach, and if he wanted to, I am sure he could easily do it," he said. "He does have a lot of passion for the Saints and that would be the only thing he would have to deal with if he was to coach another side. But I suppose you never say never." The Article Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/10Jun07 Ditching coaches and Presidents . . . Sack your struggling coach and you better ensure his reputation is battered enough that your fans won't rise up in opposition. Ditch a coach who has taken you to the finals for three straight years and you better get busy muckraking. It is a realisation that has only just dawned on St Kilda president Rod Butterss, one that may cost him his presidency. St Kilda booted Stan Alves in 1998 after the club finished sixth and the Saints' fans are still up in arms. Brisbane's Robert Walls and Richmond's John Northey swapped clubs in 1995, and Malcolm Blight walked away from Geelong after the 1994 Grand Final loss, but that's where it starts and ends. Instead of itemising Thomas's many supposed faults when St Kilda chopped him, Butterss gave only vague reasons about autonomy and failing to secure ruckman David Hille in a trade. Then he said he would have sacked him even in the event of a premiership. Thomas walked away with reputation intact and a fresh gang of media comrades to defend their new golf partner. Butterss's biggest obstacle will not be potential challenger Steve Bedwell, but placating a St Kilda fan base that has again turned feral. The Article Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/10Jun07 Saints breathe easy on Thomas An alleged attempt by transport billionaire Lindsay Fox to install former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas as chief executive of the club's major sponsor has collapsed. On Q, the parent company of Bill Express, St Kilda's joint major sponsor, had been bracing itself for a Fox-supported board shake-up next Friday, after two shareholders last month nominated for board positions and forced an extraordinary general meeting. If successful, the new directors would have altered the balance of power on an already divided board and opened the door for Thomas, with the backing of former club chairman Fox, to take over the running of Bill Express. St Kilda feared this would allow Thomas to exert influence over club affairs and render the sponsorship unworkable . . . Butterss has taken a battering in the Melbourne media, with the majority of commentators and talk back callers siding with Thomas and demanding that Butterss resign from the board. Among those calling for Butterss to stand down is radio personality Steve Bedwell, a disgruntled St Kilda supporter who has promised to put together a rival ticket to challenge the board. Under the club's constitution, Bedwell needs only the signatures of 100 fellow members to force a spill. Butterss has agreed to meet Bedwell to listen to his concerns. In the meantime, the club has restarted stalled negotiations with the local council over the proposed redevelopment of its Moorabbin headquarters. The Article Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/09Jun07 Saints walk out the door The revolving door at St Kilda continued spinning yesterday when two senior staff members departed the club. Chief operating officer James Van Beek and the team's training services coach Shaun McMahon both left . . . It's been denied that one of Butterss' companies, of which fellow St Kilda director Glen Casey is also a director, wants to heavily invest in Bill Express. The club's communications manager Georgie Fidge also left the Saints yesterday after giving her notice several weeks ago. But St Kilda chief executive Archie Fraser said last night there was nothing sinister associated with yesterday's departures. He said Van Beek had simply accepted a more senior and highly paid position with another company, while McMahon wanted to return home to South Australia with his wife and new baby. "James has been offered a job as chief financial officer for a public-listed company, so he has basically been head-hunted out of us," Fraser said. "It's a terrific opportunity for him and he'll be based in Europe for a few months, so it's a pretty sexy role." Fraser said McMahon's departure had nothing to do with the team's run of soft tissue injuries. The Article Daryl Timms/HeraldSun/09Jun07 Frawley cool on squabble Former St Kilda captain Danny Frawley declined to support club president Rod Butterss and his board last night as club greats despaired over the infighting at Moorabbin and radio personality Steve Bedwell outlined his challenge to the present administration. Bedwell, a former colleague of Frawley's at radio station Triple M, said his rival ticket, dubbed the Spirit of 66, would be announced late next week. He also revealed that Butterss had threatened yesterday to sue him if his criticisms of Butterss and his running of the club breached defamation laws during what is set to be a long and damaging leadership campaign. In a further blow to the Saints' stability, the club confirmed last night that its chief financial officer, James van Beek, had resigned . . . Asked if he supported the present board and president, Frawley replied: "Let the dust settle and we'll see what happens." Asked if he would rule out being a part of Bedwell's ticket, Frawley was again evasive. "Let the dust settle . . . I haven't thought about it," he said. The former Saints captain said he knew Bedwell but "only as a media performer" . . . Club stalwart Darrel Baldock revealed his concern about this week's infighting and the club's underwhelming on-field performance. "It (infighting) has been going on for years. I just can't understand what's happening because they had the world at their feet, they've got very good supporters but the way they are going, they are going to lose them," he said. Riewoldt's contract safe: Saints' Nixon St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt's future with the AFL club won't be determined by the ugly public spat between ex-coach Grant Thomas and president Rod Butterss, the player's manager said. But Riewoldt's manager Ricky Nixon has refused to guarantee the 24-year-old forward will be with the club next year. Riewoldt, who comes off contract at the end of the season, has been unwittingly dragged into the feud between his mentor Thomas and Saints boss Butterss which erupted publicly on Wednesday. Butterss and St Kilda chief executive Archie Fraser accused Thomas, who was sacked as Saints coach at the end of last season, of undermining the club. They have refused to go into details of how Thomas was doing so, leading to speculation the ex-coach's close relationship with Saints' prize player Riewoldt may be at the root of the problem. When asked whether Riewoldt's relationship with Thomas or Butterss would influence the player's decision whether to re-sign with the Saints, Nixon told the Nine Network: "It won't have any bearing on it whatsoever." But when asked whether Riewoldt would be with the Saints next year, Nixon declined to answer. The Article AAP/TheAge/08Jun07 Riewoldt's contract safe: Saints' Nixon Guy Hand/AAP/Bay Post/Moruya Examiner/08Jun07 Thomas stalking Saints via sponsor A week from today, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon and his players will be enjoying a respite from the frustrations of a long, difficult season, as the competition heads into its mid-season break. And in an office in a Melbourne suburb far removed from Moorabbin, a contest will take place that may prove pivotal in one of the club's major off-field battles this season; the increasingly bitter dispute with former senior coach Grant Thomas. At 11am next Friday, votes will be counted at an extraordinary general meeting of a company called On Q to decide whether two shareholders, supported by trucking magnate Lindsay Fox, should be added to the board as independent directors. On Q controls Bill Express, the joint major sponsor of the St Kilda Football Club. St Kilda believes the new directors, if elected, will enable Fox to install Thomas as chief executive of Bill Express, rendering the sponsorship unworkable. Irrespective of the outcome of the vote, there is no certainty the sponsorship will be renewed after June 30, when Bill Express has an option to extend its contract with the Saints. But as the events of this week reflect, the club is as much concerned about Thomas being in a position to influence St Kilda affairs as it is about the potential loss of a corporate partner. The Article Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/08Jun07 Butterss: Blast was worth it St Kilda president Rod Butterss last night defended his decision to publicly blast former coach Grant Thomas, saying he had to make a stand in order for the club to go forward. While admitting he had left himself and the club open to criticism because of the vagueness of the blast, Butterss said it was worth it. It emerged yesterday that part of the Saints' problems with Thomas relate to his links with a club major sponsor, Bill Express. "Absolutely we left ourselves open by not being specific, but that was a conscious decision because we just felt we wanted to send him a message to say, 'Mate, we are not going to just sit here and take it'," Butterss said. "We will fight back eventually, and here's the first little one over your bow. We have tried the messages, we have tried other means and they haven't worked so we had to crank it up a bit. That's what we did, and I hope now that all parties realise what is required, and that the footy department can get on with its job. We wish him all the best, but get on with your life." After being sacked in September, Thomas was linked with a senior role at Bill Express, a company in which Thomas-supporter Lindsay Fox had equity. The Article Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/08Jun07 Comedian gathers ticket to roll Butterss Media personality Steve Bedwell is mounting a challenge to sink St Kilda president Rod Butterss. Bedwell last night told the Herald Sun he was part of a likely six-man ticket rallying to remove Butterss and the entire board. Any move is likely to come after the season, but the comedian did not rule out earlier action if St Kilda's season continues to slip away on the field. "In recent times I've taken to calling Rod (Butterss) Harvey Norman - because to me it's apparent he's shown no interest for 12 months," Bedwell said last night. "The club has revolved around Rod a little too much for too long. Unfortunately, to get rid of Rod you really do need to get rid of the whole board. He has actually surrounded himself with yes men and sycophants to a degree." The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/08Jun07  Image of Steve Bedwell
The Article Dan Silkstone/AAP/RealFooty/09Jun07 Thomas stalking Saints via sponsor A week from today, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon and his players will be enjoying a respite from the frustrations of a long, difficult season, as the competition heads into its mid-season break. And in an office in a Melbourne suburb far removed from Moorabbin, a contest will take place that may prove pivotal in one of the club's major off-field battles this season; the increasingly bitter dispute with former senior coach Grant Thomas. At 11am next Friday, votes will be counted at an extraordinary general meeting of a company called On Q to decide whether two shareholders, supported by trucking magnate Lindsay Fox, should be added to the board as independent directors. On Q controls Bill Express, the joint major sponsor of the St Kilda Football Club. St Kilda believes the new directors, if elected, will enable Fox to install Thomas as chief executive of Bill Express, rendering the sponsorship unworkable. Irrespective of the outcome of the vote, there is no certainty the sponsorship will be renewed after June 30, when Bill Express has an option to extend its contract with the Saints. But as the events of this week reflect, the club is as much concerned about Thomas being in a position to influence St Kilda affairs as it is about the potential loss of a corporate partner. The Article Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/08Jun07 Butterss: Blast was worth it St Kilda president Rod Butterss last night defended his decision to publicly blast former coach Grant Thomas, saying he had to make a stand in order for the club to go forward. While admitting he had left himself and the club open to criticism because of the vagueness of the blast, Butterss said it was worth it. It emerged yesterday that part of the Saints' problems with Thomas relate to his links with a club major sponsor, Bill Express. "Absolutely we left ourselves open by not being specific, but that was a conscious decision because we just felt we wanted to send him a message to say, 'Mate, we are not going to just sit here and take it'," Butterss said. "We will fight back eventually, and here's the first little one over your bow. We have tried the messages, we have tried other means and they haven't worked so we had to crank it up a bit. That's what we did, and I hope now that all parties realise what is required, and that the footy department can get on with its job. We wish him all the best, but get on with your life." After being sacked in September, Thomas was linked with a senior role at Bill Express, a company in which Thomas-supporter Lindsay Fox had equity. The Article Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/08Jun07
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has plenty on his mind as he attempts to snap a run of three losses against the Kangaroos this weekend, but his side's inability to run out games is getting most of his attention. "The senior players and myself recognise that it's been unacceptable, [our] finishes to games, but we're trying to rectify that with our work on the track," Lyon said at Moorabbin on Wednesday. "We tackled really strongly on the weekend against Geelong, but our ball use [was poor]. I think we had 11 turnover goals and there were a couple of glaring ones in the first quarter against the best team in the competition at the minute. In saying that, we competed for two-and-a-half quarters against them but we want to build on that." Lyon was hopeful of regaining ruckman Matthew Clarke for the clash, but said Xavier Clarke was unlikely, as was Leigh Fisher, despite his hamstring strain being less severe than initially feared. The coach felt the Roos would still be a formidable opponent despite having their six-game winning streak dashed by West Coast last round. "They've got very strong midfield talent with match winners in Shannon Grant and Brent Harvey, a backline that's standing up one on one and some players are invigorated and playing with a real team spirit," he said. The Article Jason Phelan/saints.com.au/06Jun07 Lyon focused on footy St Kilda coach Ross Lyon is doing his best to focus on footy as a verbal war between his predecessor Grant Thomas and club officials rages. A frustrated Lyon refused to weigh into the stoush between Thomas - who was axed at the end of last season - and the man who sacked him, Saints president Rod Butterss. "I'm just focused on winning games of footy," Lyon told the media at Moorabbin on Wednesday afternoon. "My sole focus, and it has been since I walked in the door, is to work with the playing group to deliver a style of footy that will achieve success. At the moment we're 4-6, playing a strong club and team in the Kangaroos, and I want to try and be 5-6 come Sunday night. I've got no real opinion on it (the Butterss-Thomas spat). If you want to pursue what occurred on radio this morning you speak to the president and you speak to the executives." Lyon said he had no issue with Thomas and had not directed them to avoid contact with the former coach. "I was asked about Grant Thomas early in the year and all I have said to my player group is 'you can have contact with anyone you like in the world, as long you respect confidentiality of our club and our player group and our leadership'," he said. "If that trust is broken it's a long way back. There's no one here, to my knowledge, that has broken my trust. I don't lay in bed at night worrying about who my players are talking to." The Article John Clark/saints.com.au/06Jun07 Lyon will weather the storm: Roos Melbourne-based clubs interested in sounding out Paul Roos to coach them can put away their fat cheque books. The man who led the Swans to their first premiership in 72 years says he would coach a snow sports team in Lake Tahoe before a Melbourne club . . . All things considered, Roos is happy to be away from the frenzy that surrounds AFL football in Melbourne . . . "It is at times like that, talking about Rossy (Lyon), where you think yourself lucky that you are in Sydney," Roos said. He said Lyon would weather the storm and not waver from what he wanted to achieve at St Kilda. "Rossy will go about his business. He is very strong and he knows what he wants to do with his footy club so I don't think it will distract him or the players," Roos said. "I think what you wait for down there in Melbourne is another big issue to come up and override the last big issue, so I think that is what he is hoping for at the moment." The Article Jenny McAsey/FoxSports/08Jun07 Saint boss to 'flush out' Thomas St Kilda president Rod Butterss claimed last night that the lingering influence of Grant Thomas at Moorabbin has been akin to a "virus" that needed to be "flushed out" . . . "Something had to be done to get him out of the back lane, out of the whispering and the texting. Only time will tell whether I've achieved that" . . . It is understood, however, that the Saints believe Thomas has been making contact with the manager of several St Kilda players and seeking information about their contract negotiations. Thomas is believed to have explained his recent contact with Ricky Nixon, manager of Nick Riewoldt, Nick Dal Santo, Jason Gram, Max Hudghton and the Clarke brothers, Xavier and Raphael, among others, as dealings over a business venture they are contemplating.It is also understood that the Saints believe Thomas has been persistently inviting players to drink with him. Several players, they believe, were recently called at night by Thomas from a suburban hotel, an invitation that is understood to have been relayed to Lyon. The matter then got back to Butterss. "He places them in an awfully difficult position, one where they feel guilty about not joining him," one source said. The Article Stephen Rielly/TheAge/07Jun07 Saints CEO joins debate . . . Later in the day, (Archie) Fraser told a media conference at Moorabbin that he wasn't prepared to detail precisely what it is that Thomas has done that's upset the club because he thought it would "embarrass the young leaders at the club". . . "I think, to be fair, if we do go into detail, we'd be bringing some of our young players into positions we don't want to," Fraser said. Asked whether any St Kilda players have been ordered to stay clear of their former coach, Fraser relpied: "We can't tell the players to stop making comment or contact. I don't think that's appropriate". Thomas has maintained relationships with several St Kilda players since his departure from Moorabbin including co-captain Nick Riewoldt, who made his disappointment about Thomas' sacking very public at the time. "In these situations, 'Thommo' plays the victim role and obviously if that's what he wants to play again, that's up to him," Fraser said. "It's enough to say there's been several things going on, enough for us to make a public comment and a public statement and, other than that, we can't give any further detail. All we're doing is asking him to move on with his life. I think we've had enough discussions and its just time to simply move on 'Thommo' and allow us to become the best club that we can possibly be and help us rather than hinder us." The Article saints.com.au/07Jun07 Some of the Details Coming Out Patrick Smith on SEN at the moment detailing some of the allegations. Apparently things came to a head at the weekend when RL approached RB with his concerns and the Club decided a public attack was needed. Apparently a number of meetings were held between the Club and GT with no cessation of the 'undermining'. Apparently RB was prepared to have a meeting with GT but when he asked for a witness to be present, GT refused the meeting. According to Patrick Smith, GT knows exactly what the concerns are. The Post 'Mr Magic' saintsational.com Bedwell looks to convince Demetriou Would-be St Kilda president Steve Bedwell will seek a meeting with AFL chief Andrew Demetriou next week to explain his "blueprint" for the club. Bedwell, who continued to outline his hopes for the Saints yesterday, said he wanted to allay any concerns the league boss might have about his tilt for power at Moorabbin after Demetriou yesterday expressed confidence in Rod Butterss' financial management of the club. While the make-up of Bedwell's rival ticket is not yet known, The Sunday Age understands it contains six members. They include a marketing executive who runs his own respected business, a high-profile lawyer, an accountant who is a senior partner at a major firm and a prominent ex-player, as well as Bedwell himself. The radio personality and comedian said it was likely but not definite that he would be the president if the six candidates were elected to the board. Bedwell also hit out at critics who have suggested he lacks the necessary business experience to pilot an AFL club. The Article Dan Silkstone/RealFooty/10Jun07 Thomas told to butt out of Saints' affairs Sacked St Kilda coach Grant Thomas stands accused of undermining his old club by Saints president Rod Butterss and chief executive Archie Fraser. But behind the scenes, it is the St Kilda players who have grown weary of the not-so-subtle digs from Thomas in his new role as media commentator. In recent weeks, Thomas has used his growing radio profile and Melbourne newspaper column to discuss why he would have sacked Stephen Milne, why Milne and Fraser Gehrig don't perform well at interstate venues and why Nick Dal Santo struggles with close taggers. While the comments are hardly slanderous in the rough and tumble of football analysis - and in Milne's case were made privately by Thomas before they were aired publicly - the players are increasingly frustrated they keep coming from their former mentor at a time when the club is burdened by a lengthy injury list and struggling to remain in finals contention. The ongoing feud between Thomas and the club he represented as a player, board member and coach was brought into full relief yesterday morning when Butterss accused his former friend and business partner - and the respondent in Butterss' $1million law suit filed in the Victorian Supreme Court - of "activities" designed to damage the club. The Article Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/07Jun07 Riewoldt avoids Saints stoush The future of St Kilda's most precious asset -- Nick Riewoldt -- will not be influenced by the latest public fight between president Rod Butterss and former coach Grant Thomas. Riewoldt, who is in contract talks with the Saints, has distanced himself from the dispute that is sullying an already miserable season for the club. Riewoldt and manager Ricky Nixon yesterday met to discuss the contract, a potential four-year deal, which will be put to the Saints as early as tomorrow. Butterss' attack on Thomas on SEN Radio yesterday, in which he accused Thomas of undermining the club, was not a major topic at yesterday's meeting. "I met with Nick Riewoldt this morning, we spoke about Rod Butterss and Grant Thomas for 60 seconds and we both agreed we've got no interest in getting involved," Nixon said. "And I'll say this, it has no impact on the negotiations with St Kilda whatsoever. This is a personal gripe between two men." The Article Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/07Jun07 Butterss' regime runs out of chances . . . Butterss' attack upon Thomas appeared a genuine bid to rid the Saints of what their president regards as a disease that continues to infect Moorabbin, nine months after the sacked coach's departure. In truth, he might as well have been writing his own resignation. It is not only Thomas whose legacy is hurting St Kilda but the Thomas-Butterss partnership, its dissolution and all that it stood for. Last year it was apparent that one of them had to go. Now it is clear they both must . . . Surely the Butterss' regime has run out of chances. Returning from overseas on the weekend the president joked at the Saints' pre-game function that last week's "We are leaving Moorabbin" story had been a ploy to keep new coach Ross Lyon and his team's performances off the back page. The joke fell a little flat given that chief executive Archie Fraser's pronouncements now appear a little hollow thanks to the president's contradictory remarks. The Article Caroline Wilson/TheAge/07Jun07 (2 pages) Rod sees red, but not clearly The latest fallout from the breakdown in his relationship with former ally and Saints coach Grant Thomas is another indication of his haphazard style. In an extraordinary outburst yesterday on SEN 1116's Morning Glory, Butterss showed his judgment is being impaired by his bitter feud with Thomas. Unsolicited, the president publicly accused the former coach of actively and persistently undermining the club. No prompting, no evidence, and no hint he had tried to solve any problem privately . . . The other indictment on the Butterss performance was his admission he had not contacted Thomas about his so-called plot. Yes, it can't be easy contacting a bloke you are suing for more than $1 million over a loan, but, if the situation is so grave, surely he is duty bound to ring and say something like: "'Thommo, Rocket here. We need to talk. Not about the money, but about the footy club'." Asked if he might make contact, Butterss said "I might have to". The contact should have come before the outburst. The Article Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/07Jun07 Voss, Black and Gehrig charged over bar brawl Brownlow medallists Michael Voss and Simon Black and St Kilda AFL star Fraser Gehrig are among six men who have been charged over a brawl at a St Kilda hotel last year. Former Brisbane skipper Voss has been charged with unlawful assault, while current Lions co-captain Black has been charged with recklessly causing injury and assault by kicking. Gehrig faces one charge of unlawful assault. Police said their charges relate to an incident at the Prince of Wales Hotel in St Kilda on grand final eve last year. Former Brisbane and St Kilda player Steven Lawrence has also been charged with intentionally causing injury, two charges of unlawful assault and another charge of recklessly causing injury. A 39-year-old South Melbourne man also faces charges arising from the incident. All were charged on summons today to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on August 7. The Article Guy Hand/TheAge/06Jun07 Star AFL trio facing brawl charges AAP/TheAge/06Jun07 Gehrig to contest his charge . . . A spokeswoman for the St Kilda Football Club said Gehrig was also disappointed and would contest his charge. "The club is obviously disappointed at having an employee involved in any type of police investigation," she said. The Article Sasha Shtargot/RealFooty/076Jun07 AFL stars to face court Mark Buttler/HeraldSun/07Jun07 Thomas 'offended' by Butterss claims Grant Thomas says he was 'deeply hurt and offended' by claims from St Kilda club president Rod Butterss that the former coach was 'undermining the club'. In the latest instalment of a remarkable fall-out between the pair, Butterss claimed Thomas - a former close friend - was 'making things very difficult' for the Saints. However, Thomas maintained he had always acted in the best interests of St Kilda. "I refute the implications, whatever they are," Thomas said in a statement. "I've committed the last seven years of my life to St Kilda and I've always ensured their best interests are protected. Any personal issues between myself and Rod Butterss need to remain private and I can assure you they won't be conducted in the media by me." This morning Butterss claimed Thomas - who is employed in the media after being sacked as Saints coach - was working behind the scenes against the club. "The St Kilda footy club is being undermined at the moment, no question about that," Butterss told Melbourne radio station SEN. The Article Scott Spits/RealFooty/06Jun07 Butterss knife into Thomas St Kilda president Rod Butterss has accused former coach Grant Thomas of undermining the AFL club. Thomas was sacked by the Saints at the end of the 2006 season after five-and-a-half years at the helm. Under new coach Ross Lyon, St Kilda currently sits 13th on the competition ladder with a 4-6 win-loss record, having lost its past three games. Thomas is now working as a media commentator. "The St Kilda footy club is being undermined at the moment, there's no question about that," Butterss said on Radio SEN today. "I don't want to put it on the table in terms of the actual activity. There's plenty of activity going on in the background that is less than helpful to the St Kilda football club, way less than helpful. I'd say to Grant Thomas publicly: Mate, give us a break, you had your go, now move on and do it with grace please." Thomas later issues a statement to say he was "deeply hurt and offended" by Butterss's comments. "I refute the implications, whatever they are," Thomas said. "I've committed the last seven years of my life to St Kilda, and I've always ensured their best interests are protected." The Article AAP/FoxSports/06Jun07 Butterss knife into Thomas St Kilda president Rod Butterss has accused former coach Grant Thomas of undermining the AFL club. Thomas was sacked by the Saints at the end of the 2006 season after five-and-a-half years at the helm. Under new coach Ross Lyon, St Kilda currently sits 13th on the competition ladder with a 4-6 win-loss record, having lost its past three games. Thomas is now working as a media commentator. "The St Kilda footy club is being undermined at the moment, there's no question about that," Butterss said on Radio SEN today. "I don't want to put it on the table in terms of the actual activity. There's plenty of activity going on in the background that is less than helpful to the St Kilda football club, way less than helpful. I'd say to Grant Thomas publicly: Mate, give us a break, you had your go, now move on and do it with grace please." Thomas later issues a statement to say he was "deeply hurt and offended" by Butterss's comments. "I refute the implications, whatever they are," Thomas said. "I've committed the last seven years of my life to St Kilda, and I've always ensured their best interests are protected." The Article AAP/FoxSports/06Jun07 Riewoldt avoids Saints stoush The future of St Kilda's most precious asset -- Nick Riewoldt -- will not be influenced by the latest public fight between president Rod Butterss and former coach Grant Thomas. Riewoldt, who is in contract talks with the Saints, has distanced himself from the dispute that is sullying an already miserable season for the club. Riewoldt and manager Ricky Nixon yesterday met to discuss the contract, a potential four-year deal, which will be put to the Saints as early as tomorrow. Butterss' attack on Thomas on SEN Radio yesterday, in which he accused Thomas of undermining the club, was not a major topic at yesterday's meeting. "I met with Nick Riewoldt this morning, we spoke about Rod Butterss and Grant Thomas for 60 seconds and we both agreed we've got no interest in getting involved," Nixon said. "And I'll say this, it has no impact on the negotiations with St Kilda whatsoever. This is a personal gripe between two men." The Article Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/07Jun07
The offer is on the table — come and get it. That was the message to St Kilda Football Club from the City of Casey yesterday. The council, in Melbourne's fastest growing area, believes it is the underdog in its bid to woo the Saints from Moorabbin, but wants St Kilda supporters to know about the positives of a move to Casey Fields on the city's south-eastern fringe. "It's a site that is available now," said City of Casey chief executive Mike Tyler. "St Kilda have said that by the end of 2009 they want to be in world-class facilities. The only place they can do that is at Casey Fields. Everywhere else they face statutory processes and difficult negotiations." Tyler said the council was "keen and very very willing" to host the Saints but would pursue other Victorian clubs if St Kilda stayed at Moorabbin. "We are very keen to host AFL footy and an AFL club and it doesn't have to be St Kilda," he said. The Saints vowed to walk away from Moorabbin this week because of a dispute with the Kingston Council about whether poker machine licences could be relocated closer to Nepean Highway in a rebuilt home. But Casey's Tyler said his council was open-minded about "gaming machines" and had identified newly developed areas with few gambling venues. The Article Dan Silkstone/RealFooty/09Jun07 Council: stay Saints The City of Kingston has sent a letter to the St Kilda Football Club pleading with the Saints to stay at Moorabbin. In a desperate attempt to stop the AFL club marching out of its 42-year home, anxious council officials yesterday faxed a note to St Kilda president Rod Butterss seeking to renew talks. However the relocation of 83 gaming machines to a proposed $6 million social club remains a sticking point. The Victorian Commission for Gaming Regulation, the body responsible for the relocation of pokies, is expected to make its decision on St Kilda's plans late next month. The Saints believe they don't have the support of council officials necessary to successfully move the machines, something council denies. City of Kingston chief executive John Nevins said he was perplexed by St Kilda's claim the Saints had been victims of a council backdown over the pokies transfer about 200m from Linton St to South Rd. He conceded council was committed to reducing the number of pokies, but said it supported St Kilda's plans because the club wanted to move existing machines. "We're saying in this case that there's already 83 there, we've sold them the land and we want the commission to assess it," Nevins said. "We're telling St Kilda to go to the commission and get a decision because now it's all speculation." The Article Sam Edmund/HeraldSun/06Jun07 GO BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE
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