Brenton Sanderson speaks out after being sacked as coach by the Adelaide Crows
SACKED Crows coach Brenton Sanderson says he never saw his axing coming, speaking to the media at West Lakes for the first time since his shock dismissal. WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE HERE
Crows
Don't miss out on the headlines from Crows. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SACKED Crows coach Brenton Sanderson says he “did not see it coming”.
In his first public appearance since his dismissal as Adelaide Football Club coach, Sanderson today said: “Disappointment ... I did not see it coming.
“We were very much deep into our planning for pre-season ... it was very disappointing.”
Sanderson was sacked on Wednesday afternoon, despite having two years to serve on his contact, after an internal review in which the player feedback became decisive in the Adelaide board’s decision to seek a new coach.
“Unfortunately,” said Sanderson of the review, “I have lost my job. I respect the board’s decision. I don’t necessarily agree with it. I understand that is why boards are in place to make those calls — and I have to live with that.
“That is the way this industry is. It is ruthless. It is very much results driven,” added Sanderson who failed to deliver the Crows to the past two finals series after reaching a preliminary final in his debut season in 2012.
“I have to now look for another opportunity.”
Sanderson rejected the impression he had lost the Adelaide players.
“I have always had full support from the football club, from the CEO,” Sanderson said. “But for me yesterday there was a bit of a shock — I did not see it coming. And that can happen in this industry.”
“This is something I have to live with ... I will move on and look forward to the next challenge.”
Sanderson revealed he had emotional calls from the Adelaide players — who have been silent in public — and did not believe they had betrayed him.
“I think my relationship with the players is really strong,” Sanderson said. “I have been really happy with the support of the players in the past 24 hours. My phone has been ringing off the hook. There are some emotional players who are really disappointed. As I said to those players, I did fall in love with group — they are a fantastic group. I really enjoyed working with them.”
Asked if any player issued an ultimatum to the club, he replied: “I’m not sure, I’m not sure if that was the case.”
Sanderson indicated his desire to remain in the coaching, after a holiday. He said he had already taken calls from club executives.
The former Crows mentor, dumped by the club yesterday with two years to run on his contract, pulled in to AAMI Stadium about 3.25pm today, well in advance of his scheduled 4pm press conference.
Sanderson bypassed a waiting media scrum at the club’s administration block and entered via the players’ back entrance off Brebner Drive, captured exclusively by The Advertiser.
Earlier, assistant coaches and club personnel were involved in a planned midday staff meeting at Adelaide’s West Lakes headquarters to address Sanderson’s axing.
DEMONS BEAT CROWS TO SIGN GOODWIN
RICCIUTO: NO NEW COACH WAITING IN WINGS
Development coach Peter Jonas left through the players entrance at 12.10pm, 10 minutes after the planned meeting start time. He answered only “no” to the question of whether he was attending the staff gathering.
Defensive coach Darren Milburn and midfield boss Scott Camporeale both offered “no comment” to a series of questions about whether they had spoken to Sanderson, their thoughts on the previous 24 hours and perception of a suspected clean-out of assistant coaches to follow Sanderson’s sacking.
In a brief chat with waiting media, football administration general manager Phil Harper said he was “shocked and blindsided” by yesterday’s move, which was the culmination of a searching review by board members Mark Ricciuto and Andrew Payze, chairman Rob Chapman, head of football David Noble and Sanderson.
Staffer and former Crow Matthew Robran and long-time head trainer and club life member Vinnie Del Bono also entered Crows headquarters.
Originally published as Brenton Sanderson speaks out after being sacked as coach by the Adelaide Crows
Young star’s huge show of faith in the Crows
After what he showed late this season, many think Riley Thilthorpe will explode in 2025 – and the young Crow will remain at West Lakes a lot longer than that.
Finals, finally? The key to Crows’ September return in ‘25
Adelaide talked the talk last summer – but failed to walk the walk when it mattered. Will the next six months be different? For Matthew Nicks’ future, it has to be, writes SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON.