Mark Robinson assesses St Kilda’s chief executive succession plan

Whatever the reason for St Kilda’s CEO succession plan, it adds yet another layer of distraction and uncertainty for the Saints and out-of-contract coach Brett Ratten.

How does St Kilda's CEO succession plan impact Brett Ratten and the team?

Here’s a first for footy: A succession plan for a chief executive.

At least one that has been made public. This seems to be a strong thread in St Kilda’s new-age DNA — to be transparent and honest and open and accepting and, all the while, bringing the members along for the ride.

It’s the “Nice Saints”, and under outgoing chief executive Matt Finnis the Saints certainly were a nice football club.

The timing of the announcement on Thursday of Finnis’ departure at the end of the season, when he will be replaced by current head of football Simon Lethlean — just a week out from the start of the season — seems to be another warm and cuddly decision.

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Simon Lethlean will become St Kilda’s chief executive at the end of the season. Picture: Michael Klein

The AFL also welcomed the succession plan and believes Lethlean, who was sacked by AFL in 2017 after having a relationship with a younger staff member, has worked diligently in the St Kilda football space and is deserving of the role at the Saints.

The timing though? A week short of Round 1 versus Collingwood?

And, beyond that, why have a succession plan at all?

Why not elevate Lethlean immediately and let him plot the club’s future?

Finnis said last night he was staying on because he had projects to finish.

There was speculation Collingwood, however, was interested in enticing Lethlean to join them, possibly as chief executive, and if that were the case, maybe the Saints were forced to act or lose him.

But, after eight years, maybe the time was right for Finnis and St Kilda to traverse different paths.

Whatever the situation, the decision and announcement might add yet another layer of distraction and uncertainty for a footy club about to enter a pivotal season for out-of-contract coach Brett Ratten.

Successions can create confusion and sometimes bitterness. Look at Essendon with coaches John Worsfold and Ben Rutten. Look at Collingwood with Mick Malthouse and Nathan Buckley. Look at the circus that surrounded the Alastair Clarkson and Sam Mitchell deal.

Alastair Clarkson and Sam Mitchell was the latest AFL succession plan. Picture: Getty Images

This decision has been made at management level so it’s different and less intrusive on the players, but two heads in the one job — in this case outgoing and incoming — can create tension.

If there’s tension over ownership of the role, then Ratten’s job becomes even more challenging. The positive is both Finnis and Lethlean are huge supporters of the coach.

“I think ‘Ratts’ is a terrific coach and I fully expect that he will be the coach of this footy club for a long time to come,” Finnis told SEN last month.

Still, Finnis’ transparent and open approach suggested Ratten needed help.

The Saints appointed former Melbourne Victory coach Ernie Merrick to a mentoring role to support Ratten.

“Ultimately, there are some areas that ‘Ratts’ knows we want him to focus on as part of his growth and development, and we’ll put the support around him to do that,’’ Finnis said.

The Saints disagreed that these comments could have unnecessarily highlighted publicly any weaknesses in Ratten’s coaching.

“It’s even better that he (Merrick) is not an expert in our game I reckon, because what he’s focusing on is really all about how ‘Ratts’ is going in the arts of coaching,’’ Finnis said.

Still, it is rare for a chief executive to be so transparent with information most clubs keep inside the tent.

“If’’ is the prevailing word at the Saints this year.

It is a big year for St Kilda coach Brett Ratten. Picture: Getty Images

Because “if” Ratten doesn’t succeed to the board’s expectations, then Clarkson will have the kitchen sink thrown at him by president Andrew Bassat.

It just might be the challenge Clarkson desires, to be the coach to deliver St Kilda its second flag.

Since Allan Jeans in 1966, 14 coaches have tried and come up short.

If Ratten was to win this year’s premiership, it would be a football miracle.

Before the season even starts, he has lost Nick Coffield (ACL), Hunter Clark (AC joint) and Jack Billings (hamstring).

On top of that, Zak Jones (personal reasons), Jarryn Geary (shoulder) and Paddy Ryder (achilles) are on the sidelines, and one-time star Dan Hannebery continues to gain votes in the poll of worst recruits of this century.

Over summer — and in fact it was first set in stone at a full football department review when in Sydney midway through last year — the Saints set about improving or increasing their resolve as a footy team.

It centred on mental and physical demands and Saints insiders say the group as a whole was supremely fit and confident this pre-season.

But that “if’’ word dogs the team.

It’s if they don’t have injuries like last season

It’s if Jones returns. If Ryder is fit. If Jade Greshman gets to levels expected. If Max King takes the next step. If Brad Hill cuts it on a back flank. If Jack Steele gets help in the middle. If Rowan Marshall continues the trajectory to stardom. If Josh Battle can hold down a key back position. If the kids can stand up …

Jade Gresham is among the question marks at St Kilda. Picture: Getty Images

And, most of all, if the Saints are mentally and physically tough enough.

The Finnis years will be deemed successful off the field.

Indeed, with his nine years at AFLPA plus eight years at St Kilda, Finnis has been an excellent contributor to the game.

Unquestionably, he took over at the Saints when a cultural overhaul was needed.

He marshalled the return to Moorabbin and provided a cultural home with the Danny Frawley Centre, two significantly historical moves for the famous footy club.

On the field, the Saints have plodded along.

Their biggest games of each season are the Pride game and Maddie’s match, two hugely successful and important occasions, and Finnis will be remembered as a strong social justice chief executive.

It remains to be seen if the Saints, under Lethlean, can continue to be social warriors but also a ruthless, strong and finals-winning football club.

The fans certainly want the latter.

Lethlean to replace top Saint in St Kilda shake-up

— Will Hogan

Former AFL operations manager Simon Lethlean will take over as St Kilda CEO at the end of the season.

Lethlean will replace outgoing chief executive Matt Finnis who has been at the helm for the past eight years.

Club president Andrew Bassat thanked Finnis for his tenure and pointed to bringing the Saints headquarters back to Moorabbin and the launch of the Danny Frawley Wellness Centre as significant highlights during his tenure.

Simon Lethlean will take over as St Kilda CEO. Picture: AAP Images

“St Kilda owes Matt an enormous debt of gratitude for the leadership he has provided our Club to date and the changes he has made will be long-lasting,” Bassat said.

The former AFL executive Lethlean alongside colleague Richard Simkiss were forced out of AFL House over an affair scandal four years ago, before landing at St Kilda just six months later as the club’s football operations manager before being elevated to the position of chief operating officer.

The announcement comes as the Saints enter a season with coach Brett Ratten out of contract at season’s end and the club facing pressure after failing to make the finals last season.

The Herald Sun reported last year that Lethlean was at the centre of much discussion during an unofficial review into the club’s disappointing season.

“A process of succession planning and transition involving Matt and Simon was initiated some time ago and recently formalised via unanimous decision of the board.

“In Simon, we are extremely fortunate to have an incoming CEO who understands our club and shares our ambitious aspirations for St Kilda.

“Simon brings an unrivalled depth of experience and knowledge of all aspects of the industry – football, broadcasting, legal and game development. Since joining the Club, he has won the trust and confidence of our people, attracted talented staff to our organisation and contributed significantly to our growth agenda.”

Originally published as Mark Robinson assesses St Kilda’s chief executive succession plan