St Kilda to run rigorous coach-search process, regardless of Brad Scott’s connections to Saints’ staff

St Kilda is adamant it must follow a rigorous process that would see potential applicant Brad Scott subjected to an intensive interview process if he wants to win the role, despite his friendship with key officials at the club.

St Kilda will make clear to Brad Scott he must submit to a full interview process if he wants to take the Saints role off interim Brett Ratten.

Scott walked out of North Melbourne with his camp confident he would find a role as a senior coach for 2020 given his 10-year coaching resume.

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But Carlton does not seem a legitimate landing place for Scott and the Saints are 2-1 under current interim Ratten.

President Andrew Bassat is determined to run a rigorous process after the club moved on its last two coaches in Scott Watters and Alan Richardson without finals success.

Scott’s close ties with football boss Simon Lethlean and long-time AFL administrator Graeme Allan mean he has been consistently linked to the Saints.

But they also mean the club must go over and beyond to ensure if he wins the role it is through coaching acumen and not established networks.

The Saints will vet former North mentor Brad Scott as they would any other potential coaching candidate. Picture: AAP

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If the Saints secured an established premiership coach of the calibre of Alastair Clarkson he would be handed the job on a plate without that process.

First-year president Bassat is the co-founder of Australian recruiting giant SEEK, which gives the club expertise without hiring outside consultants in the recruitment field.

If Scott went through that process including psychological testing and high-level interviews and missed the job he could still move on to his gardening leave.

The Roos are adamant that having to pay out his salary next year will not impact on their football department even if that sum is over $500,000.

The Roos factored in the worst-case scenario when the moved Scott on and were clear they had a financial buffer under the football department tax.

Brett Ratten has given the Saints a new lease on life since he took over as caretaker from Alan Richardson. Picture: Getty Images

Rival clubs believe having to pay an extra $800,000 to Scott would cost the Roos as many as four potential football staff.

But the Roos have invested significant funds into their football team — including recruiting leading assistant Rhyce Shaw last year — and are still under the football cap.

They also know any salary he makes next year, having also been linked to an AFL role, would come off the total they must pay him.

The Roos will begin attempting to lure a senior football figure this week, with their role to provide support to Shaw and new football boss Brady Rawlings.

The club wants someone in a full time rule which is expected to rule out Shaw’s casual coaching mentor Paul Roos, with Alan Richardson being chased by multiple clubs including GWS and Gold Coast.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson would walk into the vacant Saints’ coaching role. Picture: AAP

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