Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas delivers some rare kind words for the AFL
The AFL never thought it’d see the day. One of its biggest critics, former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas, gave the AFL some kind words – among a couple of characteristic backhanders.
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It’s certainly not the time for celebration at AFL headquarters but there would have been some rare smiles appearing.
In what is potentially a world first, former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas and long-time AFL critic has given Gillon McLachlan and his crew a pat on the back.
While there may be an asterisk associated with that statement given he’s also managed to deliver a couple of nice backhanders, there is a legitimate pump-up.
Thomas posted a manifesto on social media titled: ‘Amazing Opportunity out of Pandemic’.
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The second paragraph said: “The AFL – While tardy by ignoring advice to not play round 1 – have since redeemed themselves with sound leadership and management.”
Boom. There it is.
Sound leadership and management is something McLachlan wouldn’t have expected to hear from Thomas, who even lost a TV gig because of his relentless attacks on league bosses.
Thomas, an accomplished businessman, went on to explain how the pandemic provides the perfect opportunity for major restructuring throughout the football industry.
Iâd be interested in your views critical or otherwise. Hopefully we donât let this opportunity go to waste. I know AFL have put together a group of incumbents to assess future structure but they r the people who - under their watch - managed & implemented what we currently have? https://t.co/xLWVzhOlbY
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) April 15, 2020
He described a process he used at St Kilda and in his corporate life called MEAODI – which stands for Map, Eliminate, Automate, Outsource, Document, Implement.
Thomas says the AFL is now a blank canvas after all of the cutbacks because of the coronavirus and that it needs to be “reimagined, regenerated, revitalised, repositioned and re-presented to the football world”.
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“They currently have a blank canvas to paint the future of football for generations to come. A reworking of the previous painting will not work as well as a complete overhaul by way of a new untouched canvas,” he wrote.
The praise did run out towards the end with Thomas adding that “I’m not holding my breath” about the AFL industry embracing the need for significant change.
“Firstly my experience tells me there is not the courage, conviction or ability (not all) within the current people in leadership to drive a process like this,” Thomas said.