St Kilda throws support behind Alan Richardson, Alastair Clarkson says he’s committed to Hawthorn

Brad Scott’s exit from North Melbourne has created the inevitable speculation of a potential coaching merry-go-round but St Kilda says the talk is disrespectful as Hawthorn’s Alastair Clarkson sets the record straight on his future.

Alan Richardson and Alastair Clarkson.

St Kilda boss Matt Finnis has labelled speculation surrounding coach Alan Richardson as “unedifying” following suggestions departed North Melbourne coach Brad Scott could make a move to Moorabbin.

It had been floated in recent days that Scott — who left the Kangaroos last weekend — could find a new coaching home at the Saints, despite Richardson being contracted until the end of next season.

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And Finnis said he considered such commentary to be disrespectful to his man.

“I think it is, in the sense that we couldn’t be more pleased with our coaching program which is led by Alan,” he said.

“With the challenges that we’ve had with our personnel and our availability, to be 5-5 at this time of year, a lot of Saints fans would have taken that had you offered it to them before Round 1.

“We understand, and there’ll always be speculation around coaches, but I find it a little unedifying when it involves our coach and a coach who’s been having a really good year.”

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Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, meanwhile, has quashed any possibility of taking up the vacant North Melbourne job.

The four-time premiership coach played 93-games for the Kangaroos but all but ruled out a return to Arden St.

“I’m very committed to what we’re doing here,” Clarkson said at Melbourne Airport on Friday morning before flying to Brisbane for the Hawks’ clash against the Lions.

“I’m in the third wave of trying to secure some silverware for our footy club. The first one was obviously 2005-2008 and then 2009-2012 we built ourselves to a position to challenge for silverware again.

“We’re in the middle of a phase right now where we’re trying to do that again. I’m very, very committed to that and my contract status with the club reflects that.

“I don’t anticipate I’m going anywhere and I don’t want to unless the club tap me on the shoulder and said we think it’s time. If that’s the case then I’ll look elsewhere but that’s not going to be the case.”

AFL Round 8. 10/05/2019. St Kilda vs West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium. St Kilda coach Alan Richardson at 3\\4 time . Pic: Michael Klein.

The Saints take on Port Adelaide in Shanghai on Sunday in a clash that is crucial to both teams’ hopes.

Finnis said Richardson had “taken it upon himself to improve in certain areas” following a comprehensive post-season review of football, and the results were proven.

“At the end of the day, at the end of last year we reviewed a whole lot of things and Richo took on board a whole lot of things to help him be better and then we also provided a whole lot of support around him to help him be the best coach he can be,” he said.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the way in which that’s all been coming together over the first half of the year. Our challenge now is to continue to improve in the back half (of the season).”

Finnis said being part of the China game was a “smart strategy” for the club as it looked to “grow the brand of St Kilda beyond our shores”.

“This game clearly helps make us a stronger organisation financially,” he said, with the club having announced five new match-day partners for the clash.

“So that goes to our balance sheet, our ability to invest back into our football program to ensure we’re giving our players and coaches everything they need to be competitive on the field.”