Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas sent a public warning to his old club, urging the Saints be weary of an expansion into New Zealand.
St Kilda sent the axe tumbling down on coach Scott Watters on Friday afternoon in embarrassing circumstances and as media pundits piled on the decision with scathing comments, the often outspoken Thomas turned his attention to the Saints’ move into New Zealand.
The poor on-field and financial state of some clubs has led to speculation of contraction or relocation for AFL clubs in the future. Thomas isn’t against the league’s push into foreign territory, but believes the Saints’ best interest may be better served focusing on a return to the AFL’s elite in Melbourne.
“I’d like to see St Kilda back out of the New Zealand deal firstly, and secondly if the AFL’s serious about its global expansion New Zealand is the obvious next port, and quite clearly the AFL is investing a lot of money to ensure that that happens,” Thomas told AFL.com.au.
“Our next bastion to me seems as though it might be New Zealand and that to me means that St Kilda could potentially be lost to Melbourne and the AFL.
St Kilda were part of AFL history earlier this year when they took on the Sydney Swans in Wellington on ANZAC Day as the first home and away game to be played internationally. Thomas believes the Saints may fall victim to New Zealand receiving a full-time AFL team.
“I can’t understand how in five to six years’ time, nearing 2020, how they’re going to be able to unravel the St Kilda footy club out of that and put a new club in or start a new club,” he said.
“To me it just seems like if you’re going to be playing one, two and eventually three or five games a year in Wellington and maybe some in Auckland as well, I suppose in eight to 10 years, it makes sense that St Kilda is the choice to do that.”
Thomas’ comments couldn’t turn the attention completely away from Friday’s events. Another outspoken AFL personality, this time Dermott Brereton, has gone to town on the decision to fire Watters.
Brereton defended close friend Watters on SEN Radio, saying the club backing football operations boss Chris Pelchen was a poor decision.
“Thank God for St Kilda, because 17 other clubs are going to win before them,” Brereton said.
“They are the most poorly led from the top club.
“This is a pathetic decision driven by a certain sector in the football department that is cancerous.
“You always overdramatise something, but there is someone with a lot of blood on their hands tonight.”
Brereton also said Pelchen’s reputation as a premiership list builder was a “myth”.
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Photo: Mark Dadswell, Getty Images
