St Kilda moves on list manager Tony Elshaug following poor start to season

ST KILDA has reacted swiftly to its on-field demise by moving on long-term list boss Tony Elshaug, the first big move from new football boss Simon Lethlean.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — JUNE 28: Simon Lethlean speaks to the media during a press conference after the Bachar Houli Tribunal Decision at AFL House on June 28, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

ST KILDA has reacted swiftly to its on-field demise, moving on list boss Tony Elshaug.

The under-fire club on Friday confirmed it would search for a new list manager after making the call to let go long-term recruiter Elshaug.

Under Elshaug, the Saints made the surprise decision to pick full-forward Paddy McCartin with the No.1 choice ahead of the more heavily favoured Christian Petracca in the 2014 national draft.

Elshaug’s departure is the first big move from new football boss Simon Lethlean in response to a woeful start to the season.

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The Saints have only one win from their first 12 games and are under pressure to topple beleaguered Gold Coast on Saturday.

Another loss wold ramp up the heat on coach Alan Richardson.

Lethlean said the club wanted to go in a new direction with the list.

“After discussions with Tony over the past few weeks, we have agreed that the time is right to bring someone new in to oversee the list management strategy,” Lethlean said.

“Their primary focus will be acquiring and retaining elite talent, managing our young developing list, modernising our practices and systems and ensuring we are at the cutting edge in this critical area of the football industry.

Tony Elshaug has been moved on by the Saints.

“Tony is someone of great integrity, knowledge and experience and is renowned for his incredible work ethic.

“He is someone the club respects enormously and we thank him for his tireless work at the Saints for over a decade as both an assistant coach and in recruitment.

“We will work with Tony as he transitions out of the role and provides a handover to the new appointment during the back half of 2018.

“We will also utilise the remainder of the year to explore with Tony any other opportunities for him within the club given his vast experience in this space.”

Elshaug said he was grateful for his time at the Saints.

“I would like to thank the St Kilda Football Club for all the opportunities that it has afforded me, and acknowledge the wonderful friendships that I have made in football along the way,” Elshaug said.

“I am looking forward to the remainder of the year with the Club but the time is right to move on and begin the next chapter.”

Elshaug has been at the club since 2007 when he was an assistant coach to Ross Lyon. He was part of the recruiting team from 2011 and became list manager in 2014.

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