St Kilda has released the findings of its review which has seen widespread change throughout the club’s football department.
Since the report was commissioned, the Saints have appointed a new GM of football, a senior coach, two senior assistants, a development coach and a high-performance expert.
On Friday afternoon the Saints released a six-page document detailing the findings and recommendations going forward, with several already complete after the football department changes.
The latest from President Andrew Bassat.
— St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) November 11, 2022
After a strong start to the season, St Kilda won just three games after the bye to miss out on finals action. The key finding states: “(St Kilda) did not have the platform needed to support a sustainable winning culture and that significant change was needed in the Football Department, and more broadly in the Club, to address concerns with the processes and fundamentals of our Football Program.”
The club acknowledged its quick start to the year but added “significant issues in relation to (the) coaching program” partly explained the inconsistency that has plagued the club for several years.
There have been suggestions that sacked coach Brett Ratten simply wasn’t afforded a list good enough to play finals or go deep into September. As a result of the review, the Saints will update its list strategy and continue looking to improve its top-end talent following a review by former North Melbourne list manager Glenn Luff.
Another key finding was the Saints needed to minimise the distractions on the football department. As a result, the club has chosen not to sell a home game in 2023 interstate.
St Kilda was heavily criticised during the season for selling a home game to Cairns in a game against Port Adelaide, a clash which the Saints ultimately lost against a terribly out-of-form side.
The review concludes by stating that more “revolutionary change” is required than what was originally thought.
Other notable details suggest the club needs clearer expectations both on and off the field as well as a culture that offers “vigorous” debate, something that the club under Ratten had been accused of lacking.
Simon Lethlean’s transition from head of football to CEO also left a larger than-anticipated hole in the club’s footy department this year.
Going forward, the key recommendation revolves around investing in the leadership and development of St Kilda players, with the club's best players all still under 30.
President Andrew Bassat, who initiated the review and played a part in it, said in a club statement: “In short, the Review found that we had much to do, and needed significant change to build these foundations. You will see from the staffing appointments already announced that we are moving aggressively to implement the Review’s findings.
“The Board and Management now have a very clear shared view of what needs to be done to ensure success and a firm resolve to deliver on it. I am now more optimistic than ever about the future of our Club.”