St Kilda’s assistant coaches to learn their fate as Saints vow to reshape coaching structure

AS the deadline looms for AFL coaches to be given clarity on their futures, all eyes are on the underperforming Saints to see just who will be by Alan Richardson’s side from next season.

ST KILDA’S assistant coaches will know by Wednesday whether they have a future at the club, with many to move on at season’s end.

August 1 is the deadline for coaches to be given clarity over their future as part of an AFL Coaches Association agreement.

The Saints have already signalled they will reshape their coaching department under contracted coach Alan Richardson.

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But it is understood many of the club’s coaches will make way, with ex-Sydney Swans assistant Henry Playfair one of the few contracted beyond 2018.

Football boss Simon Lethlean has been in ongoing talks with the club’s assistants, with Danny Sexton, Adam Kingsley and Aaron Hamill in particular highly regarded.

He has been in talks with the coaches for some time, with some already given a solid indication of their future.

Others have time to assess their options while St Kilda works out whether it can lure potential replacements it is keen to secure.

Former assistant coach David King urged the Saints to consider leading assistant coaches Blake Caracella and Sam Mitchell.

St Kilda assistant Danny Sexton with coach Alan Richardson. Pic: Michael Klein

Lethlean is understood to have looked strongly at Richmond’s recruiting department as he closes in on hiring a new list manager for the Saints.

Meanwhile, St Kilda chief executive Matt Finnis will fulfil a lifelong ambition this week when he swims the English Channel with his father.

Finnis will be away as few as six days as swims the Channel in relay with his father and another relative.

He will miss this weekend’s clash against the Western Bulldogs but will be back as early as next Monday.

On the weekend St Kilda again failed to cash in on inside 50 and scoring shot dominance against GWS in another frustrating loss.

King told SEN yesterday it was time for a “refresh” of the club’s coaching personnel.

“Sam Mitchell is coming back to Melbourne and Blake Caracella by all reports is gettable, everyone is gettable at a price,” he said.

“If I’m a St Kilda fan, I’m saying are we a great club? Are we able to secure those guys and give Alan Richardson some fresh intelligence? Similar to what Nathan Buckley had this year and Damien Hardwick had the year before.

“Go after these intelligent assistant coaches that have been at great clubs, who have seen success, know what it looks like, know what’s important and give St Kilda a chance.

“Because nothing’s really changed there on the periphery for a while and it’s time for a refresh.

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