Axed AFL football boss Simon Lethlean appointed as St Kilda’s new head of football

ST KILDA has conceded the sudden appointment of Simon Lethlean will be unpopular in some quarters but is in the best interests of the club.

Simon Lethlean is in the mix to join St Kilda. Picture: Getty Images

ST KILDA has conceded the sudden appointment of Simon Lethlean will be unpopular in some quarters but is in the best interests of the club.

Lethlean has been installed above former first-class cricketer Jamie Cox as the Saints’ new general manager of football.

The move was ratified at a board meeting on Thursday night.

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Thursday’s Herald Sun revealed St Kilda had emerged as Lethlean’s last realistic hope of remaining in football in 2018.

He was axed as AFL football operations manager in July over an inappropriate affair with a younger female staffer.

Saints chief executive Matt Finnis said Lethlean was the “outstanding candidate” throughout the recruiting process.

“There’s no doubt we wouldn’t be having this conversation if Simon hadn’t resigned from the AFL in July ... (but) Simon’s taken full responsibility for his actions,” Finnis said.

“We understand people will have different views but we’ve made a decision that we believe is in the best interests of our footy club.

Simon Lethlean with AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan. Picture: Getty Images

“I believe this decision brings us closer to getting the football club where we want to be - a second premiership.

“We believe that as a club, we’ve built equity in terms of what we stand for, and that allows us to bring people into our club who might have made mistakes in the past but are prepared to take accountability for that.

“He’s put his hand up and we’re willing to give him a second chance.”

Lethlean will report for duty on January 8 and said in statement: “I spoke to the playing group and the entire staff this morning, and outlined my passion for football and the opportunities I see in the role.

“I feel humbled to be given a second chance in the industry that I love.”

Lethlean had been strongly endorsed for a senior club role by AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan but was overlooked for the chief executive roles at Carlton, Collingwood and Hawthorn.

Finnis revealed the Saints were close to finalising an improved financial deal at the AFL-controlled Etihad Stadium.

“We’d be incredibly disappointed if we hadn’t resolved that before the first ball is bounced,” Finnis said.

“It’s a great stadium – people love watching footy there – but it’s been a bit of a financial hamstring for our footy club and we’re really confident that we’re going to overcome that.

“That will now allow us to invest in our football program to levels that we haven’t been able to do before.”