St Kilda chief executive Matt Finnis says the club’s decision to appoint Simon Lethlean as their new football manager has been carefully considered.
The former AFL football operations boss joins the Saints less than six months after resigning from the League after an inappropriate affair with a younger female member of staff.
Finnis says that the “optics” of the decision to hand Lethlean a second chance have been carefully deliberated by those within the club.
“Of course, you’re conscious of (how things look),” the Saints CEO told SEN Drive.
“We’ve done a lot of work in recent years to be clear about how our footy club stands for being a really inclusive place where everyone belongs, and we’ve done some great work in that area.
“We don’t think that giving someone a second chance is inconsistent with what it is we stand for, to create a place where people belong.”
Lethlean replaces Jamie Cox in the role of football boss, who will stay at the Saints in a currently undisclosed position.
Finnis says that Lethlean’s skillset will undoubtedly push St Kilda closer towards breaking their AFL Premiership drought of 51 years, which second only to Melbourne’s 53 years without flag success.
“Ultimately we think Simon has got the talent to really take us forward,” he said.
“We think we are closer to us winning a second premiership for having him lead our football program.”
The Saints kick off their 2018 season against Brisbane at Etihad Stadium on March 24.
Listen to Matt Finnis chat with the boys on SEN Drive in the player below: