St Kilda set to end affiliation with VFL club Sandringham
St Kilda’s surplus players have played for Sandringham since 2009 in a natural fit for the two bayside clubs. But that could soon be coming to a swift halt.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
St Kilda and its VFL affiliate Sandringham look increasingly likely to go their separate ways as the Saints move towards running their own state league side.
St Kilda’s surplus players have played for Sandy since 2009 in a natural fit for the two bayside clubs.
The Saints are now proposing that the aligned team should play games out of Moorabbin and wear the St Kilda jumper.
St Kilda is only interested in continuing the alignment on those conditions but the proud Zebras are resisting the changes.
They believe it would amount to a takeover of a club that was admitted to the old VFA in 1929 and has won 10 premierships from 15 grand finals.
Two of the flags were won under the coaching of Saints great Trevor Barker.
“As temporary custodians of the club, the board are not interested in playing in St Kilda jumpers or playing at RSEA Park,’’ Sandy president Nick Johnstone said today.
“We have a 96-year history of playing at Trevor Barker Beach Oval and in our colours.’’
St Kilda chief executive Carl Dilena told the Herald Sun on Thursday both parties were set for more discussions, but confirmed the club was exploring a stand-alone model.
It would leave Sandringham to become a stand-alone, joining fellow former VFA mainstays Coburg, Werribee, Port Melbourne, Williamstown and the Northern Bullants.
But with Tasmania keen for a VFL presence next year, it would add two more teams to a competition that already has 21 sides.
AFL coaches including Luke Beveridge are urging the league to streamline a clunky fixture that means players have three byes and a weekend off for the interstate clash with the SANFL.
St Kilda and Hawthorn are the only Victorian AFL clubs that do not field their own state league teams.
The Hawks have been happily and successfully aligned with Box Hill since the competition was revamped in 2000.
The Saints fielded their own side in 2000, then aligned with Springvale in 2001 and later with Sandy.
The Zebras enjoyed a prosperous alignment with Melbourne, winning four premierships, before the Demons headed for the green fields of Casey.
St Kilda views having a VFL team in Saints colours at Moorabbin as culturally important to ensure its draftees play their first games at any level in the red, white and black of the club.
Assistant Corey Enright has pushed for the change, reflecting his experience at Geelong, where many young stars started in the VFL.
Dilena said both parties were open to what came next.
“We are having a good adult conversation with them at the moment. Our guys are very keen on the idea of having players wear St Kilda jumpers from day one and also playing home games at Moorabbin. They are the simple issues from our perspective,” he said.
“Sandringham aren’t keen on that. They want to preserve their history and jumper and play at their ground (at Trevor Barker Beach Oval).
“We are open to seeing which model works and we will explore it. In parallel we are exploring a stand-alone model and that seems more likely based on our discussions.”
It is understood funding a stand-alone VFL team would not be an issue for the Saints given they already pay for Sandringham’s coaches, including senior coach Brendon Goddard.
An end to the St Kilda-Sandringham alignment would be far from ideal for the VFL, which has teams from Victoria, NSW and Queensland since taking in NEAFL clubs in 2021.
AFL clubs are already frustrated by the regular byes and varied schedules that can make it challenging for AFL players in the VFL to get continuity as they push for senior selection.
Some VFL observers believe a promotion-relegation system or even two different conferences could come into play if the number of teams expands to 23.
Originally published as St Kilda set to end affiliation with VFL club Sandringham
NBA superstar makes presence felt at Anzac Round opener
Australian basketball’s hottest young talent will be among a big crowd at the MCG tonight as Richmond and Melbourne clash in their annual Anzac Day eve match. FOLLOW LIVE
Senior Blues staffer quits after investigation into conduct
A senior Carlton staff member who took leave while the Blues dealt with a “management matter” will not return to Ikon Park and can be revealed for the first time.