Richardson to stay on as coach 'if we keep improving': Lethlean

[WellardSaint]

Listened to Lethlean's 3AW interview.

Get the impression Richo survives the week, but won't survive another one like that.

I thought he drew a clear line in the sand.

The Tigers will absolutely go to town on us.
It's gonna get ugly.
Club should just forfeit the game to save face, save % and not pay match payments to the surrender monkeys

[Teflon]

There’s is no doubt that AR will be gone. No doubt. I know who they want but I’m pretty sure they won’t get him. So for what I hear it’s out of three- Scott, Knights, or Harves.

If we end up with Matty Knights as coach I’m f##king done.

Yeah it’s getting like that Knights ffs.

He’s doing well at Geelong cause Geelong have a culture of success .......we don’t
Scott’s a spud after 10 years nothing
Harvey.....not a senior coach imo

I’d seriously look at Ratten and ffs give him a go till seasons end to see what he can produce
AR is finished

[suss]

There’s is no doubt that AR will be gone. No doubt. I know who they want but I’m pretty sure they won’t get him. So for what I hear it’s out of three- Scott, Knights, or Harves.

Scott I understand, but I’d be stunned if Ratten wasn’t also in the mix.

I also think they’ll go through a process. Too risky just to just pick a name with considering all of the options available.

Yes the process will be flawed. Sick of the process. Get a bunch of ex footballers and some HR woman, interview some people, give them some crap psychological assessment and then pick the "best available". How many times has that worked for the Saints.
It's such a flawed system. If you have crap candidates you'll end up with a crap coach. You need to pay the best to get the best. That should be the process!

The process delivered Clarkson to Hawthorn and Watters to us. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

I think I’d prefer it to the alternative.

[Linton Lodger]

Listened to Lethlean's 3AW interview.

Get the impression Richo survives the week, but won't survive another one like that.

I thought he drew a clear line in the sand.

The Tigers will absolutely go to town on us.
It's gonna get ugly.
Club should just forfeit the game to save face, save % and not pay match payments to the surrender monkeys

Richmond are dangerous because they've had a few shockers and will be breathing fire. Despite that, with their injuries they're probably not as good as Brisbane. Its Geelong in Geelong, that has carnage written all over it.

However, if there isn't a big improvement next week and then again, he may not last that long.

[Linton Lodger]

There’s is no doubt that AR will be gone. No doubt. I know who they want but I’m pretty sure they won’t get him. So for what I hear it’s out of three- Scott, Knights, or Harves.

Scott I understand, but I’d be stunned if Ratten wasn’t also in the mix.

I also think they’ll go through a process. Too risky just to just pick a name with considering all of the options available.

Yes the process will be flawed. Sick of the process. Get a bunch of ex footballers and some HR woman, interview some people, give them some crap psychological assessment and then pick the "best available". How many times has that worked for the Saints.
It's such a flawed system. If you have crap candidates you'll end up with a crap coach. You need to pay the best to get the best. That should be the process!

The process delivered Clarkson to Hawthorn and Watters to us. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

I think I’d prefer it to the alternative.

The last time we ran a proper process, it came down to a choice between Ross Lyon and John Longmire.

[skeptic]

Geeez what a scary thread title.

I can think of someone at least that will go to bed with a smile on his face after reading this

[Enrico_Misso]

There’s is no doubt that AR will be gone. No doubt. I know who they want but I’m pretty sure they won’t get him. So for what I hear it’s out of three- Scott, Knights, or Harves.

If we end up with Matty Knights as coach I’m f##king done.

Yeah it’s getting like that Knights ffs.

He’s doing well at Geelong cause Geelong have a culture of success .......we don’t
Scott’s a spud after 10 years nothing
Harvey.....not a senior coach imo

I’d seriously look at Ratten and ffs give him a go till seasons end to see what he can produce
AR is finished

Totally agree.

Why risk another L plater coach when we already have a proven coach waiting in the wings?

Ratts did a great job at Carlton and they improved each year from no-hopers to finalists till in his final year they were decimated by injury and dropped back a bit.
Then the idiots at Caaaarlton panicked and worried that Ratts might not have the experience to coach them all the way to a flag, whereas Malthouse had delivered flags and was available, so with Juddy starting to age they dumped Ratts.
And wasn't it a beautiful result - Shytehouse set them back a decade.

Meanwhile Ratts went to Hawthorn, learnt from the best modern day coach.
He's had time, experience and maturity to reflect on how he would be even better second time round.

Plus he's already here.
He knows the list, he's had plenty of time to understand their strengths and weaknesses and must have developed his own theories.

Just give him the caretaker role NOW.
Give him 9 matches and review him then.

It's a low risk strategy.
1) Morale/hope for the players, fans and sponsors could ONLY improve under a new coach.
2) Ratt's is ready made in-house "shovel-ready" with the knowledge/ability to make instant changes.
3) If he proves he is up to it, then he can be permanently appointed with a free hand to run trade week and the draft so he takes "ownership" of the list
4) It he fails to impress it also flags early to the broader footy world that there is a role available and still gives us a chance to make a poaching or appointment early in September instead of an early Sep Richo sacking leading to a late Sept appointment leaving no time for list management by the new coach.

IT'S A NO-LOSE SCENARIO
(Yes I know it might be costly though surely 6 years of under-achievement would trigger some sort of release clause? But even if we have to pay $$$ it will be more than offset by membership and sponsor sales).

Get it done!

[HardSaint]

if we keep improving?
WTF?

from what?
To where?

Today? Yesterday?

throughout his 6 year tenure?

He's taking the piss and its an insult to anyone who cares about this club

[bigred]

Yeah the improvement line is a nonsense.

Could be looking at a coach killer this weekend.

[Life Long Saint]

The Tigers will absolutely go to town on us.
It's gonna get ugly.
Club should just forfeit the game to save face, save % and not pay match payments to the surrender monkeys

No doubt this will happen...
We have no answer for Dusty.
Lynch will have a field day...Just like he always does.
We have a tremendous habit of playing opposition forwards into form.
We did it with Tex earlier this year.
We used to do it with Cloke...Every. Single. Season.
We used to do it with Tippet...Every. Single. Season.

[Leo.J]

Yeah the improvement line is a nonsense.

Could be looking at a coach killer this weekend.

If not this week Geelong will seal the deal...a few coaches have met their fate a the Cattery.

[Leo.J]

There’s is no doubt that AR will be gone. No doubt. I know who they want but I’m pretty sure they won’t get him. So for what I hear it’s out of three- Scott, Knights, or Harves.

If we end up with Matty Knights as coach I’m f##king done.

Yeah it’s getting like that Knights ffs.

He’s doing well at Geelong cause Geelong have a culture of success .......we don’t
Scott’s a spud after 10 years nothing
Harvey.....not a senior coach imo

I’d seriously look at Ratten and ffs give him a go till seasons end to see what he can produce
AR is finished

Totally agree.

Why risk another L plater coach when we already have a proven coach waiting in the wings?

Ratts did a great job at Carlton and they improved each year from no-hopers to finalists till in his final year they were decimated by injury and dropped back a bit.
Then the idiots at Caaaarlton panicked and worried that Ratts might not have the experience to coach them all the way to a flag, whereas Malthouse had delivered flags and was available, so with Juddy starting to age they dumped Ratts.
And wasn't it a beautiful result - Shytehouse set them back a decade.

Meanwhile Ratts went to Hawthorn, learnt from the best modern day coach.
He's had time, experience and maturity to reflect on how he would be even better second time round.

Plus he's already here.
He knows the list, he's had plenty of time to understand their strengths and weaknesses and must have developed his own theories.

Just give him the caretaker role NOW.
Give him 9 matches and review him then.

It's a low risk strategy.
1) Morale/hope for the players, fans and sponsors could ONLY improve under a new coach.
2) Ratt's is ready made in-house "shovel-ready" with the knowledge/ability to make instant changes.
3) If he proves he is up to it, then he can be permanently appointed with a free hand to run trade week and the draft so he takes "ownership" of the list
4) It he fails to impress it also flags early to the broader footy world that there is a role available and still gives us a chance to make a poaching or appointment early in September instead of an early Sep Richo sacking leading to a late Sept appointment leaving no time for list management by the new coach.

IT'S A NO-LOSE SCENARIO
(Yes I know it might be costly though surely 6 years of under-achievement would trigger some sort of release clause? But even if we have to pay $$$ it will be more than offset by membership and sponsor sales).

Get it done!

Ratts had a 50% win rate as a coach then he’s been a line coach in 3 flags under Clarko.

He would be a better coach now than when he got the job when he was 36 at Carlton.

I agree get it done.

[wally]

Perhaps Ratts not mentioned may hint that he's already gone elsewhere ?

[wally]

Cant see Brad Scott going from one poor club to another.
meaning no money cant attract big names etc.

[freely]

If it's really down to those three, I'd favour Harves, then Knights over Scott.

The great thing with Harves is that at least we get some sense of it being our club again. When half our best players are discards from other clubs, that'd make a difference to me. The thought of Scott being in charge and making Hannebery captain, say - well, that doesn't have any look of st kilda to me. Am I literally barracking for the jumper? You wouldn't mind - but they change the jumper, the scarf and the beanie every year too!

[Sanctorum]

Following is quote from Simon Lethlean on AFL.com:

"Lethlean was later asked the follow-up, that being if improvement didn't occur, would that result in Richardson being sacked.

"I think that's a fair assessment for anyone involved in a football club. If their areas aren't improving, no one's role in any club's guaranteed," Lethlean said.

"That's probably fair, and I reckon Alan understands too, if we don't keep improving, we're all under the pump.

"That's a fair summary."

He also stated that St Kilda need to win games above them on the ladder.

There are 2 points that stand out for me.

1. I like to think that if there is no improvement in the next few games it will not just be Alan Richardson that is facing dismissal, but the club's Director of Coaching, the long=serving (in his 13th year!!) Danny Sexton who remarkably has avoided any scrutiny, or culpability, for the teams lack of success. This to me is elementary - in fact Sexton should be moved on ahead of Richo....

2. If the team fails to be competitive against Richmond, and suffers another humiliating loss, then there is no point in keeping Richardson/Sexton beyond Round 15 - far better to hand the reins to Ratten and Lade to see what they can do to get the team to play well. The situation demands a circuit-breaker and as much as Alan Richardson is regarded by those who know him as a good, decent bloke, the object of participating in professional sport is giving your all to compete and beating your opponent...something that they failed to do against the Lions.

It is crucial for a number of reasons for the Saints to stop the rot and start to play competitive football in the remaining 9 matches, enough is enough!

[bigred]

I'd rather an inanimate carbon rod over Scott.

He had a decade and did sweet F*** all.

I'd throw the bank at Al, same with Bevo, but would be very happy with Ratten.

Simple. I dont understand why they dont pull the trigger now rather than wait for next weeks smashing.

[satchmo]

I'd rather an inanimate carbon rod over Scott.

He had a decade and did sweet F*** all.

I'd throw the bank at Al, same with Bevo, but would be very happy with Ratten.

Simple. I dont understand why they dont pull the trigger now rather than wait for next weeks smashing.

Maybe not pulling the trigger because those we want don't want us?

[WellardSaint]

The Tigers will absolutely go to town on us.
It's gonna get ugly.
Club should just forfeit the game to save face, save % and not pay match payments to the surrender monkeys

No doubt this will happen...
We have no answer for Dusty.
Lynch will have a field day...Just like he always does.
We have a tremendous habit of playing opposition forwards into form.
We did it with Tex earlier this year.
We used to do it with Cloke...Every. Single. Season.
We used to do it with Tippet...Every. Single. Season.

We sorted out Cloke in 2008, when Malthouse played an injured Cloke in a final, thinking he could
use brute strength to get some marks and goals, but it didn't work.
But yeah...it's funny how 2 years ago, against Norf, Ben Brown and another Norf fwd were benched
because our backs like NJB had strangled them. But that was an aberration, an anomaly.

I see the only dominant players as Billings, who will get 26=30 touches,
and actually Acres, who played 67% game time and actually got more possies than JB
if you compare respective Time on Ground.

Our delivery into F50 will hurt Skunk, Baroose (who will be stuffed from relieving RoMa)

[MC Gusto]

No doubt Richo is gone. Just a matter of when he’s executed...during season or post

Jaxsons / Tony whaddoyaknow?!

[barneyboyz]

Listened to Lethlean's 3AW interview.

Get the impression Richo survives the week, but won't survive another one like that.

I thought he drew a clear line in the sand.

The Tigers will absolutely go to town on us.
It's gonna get ugly.
Club should just forfeit the game to save face, save % and not pay match payments to the surrender monkeys

Richmond are dangerous because they've had a few shockers and will be breathing fire. Despite that, with their injuries they're probably not as good as Brisbane. Its Geelong in Geelong, that has carnage written all over it.

However, if there isn't a big improvement next week and then again, he may not last that long.

Dusty will cut us two new one's himself!

[WellardSaint]

No doubt Richo is gone. Just a matter of when he’s executed...during season or post

Jaxsons / Tony whaddoyaknow?!

2 days ago
Tony said "the guy we want will not come to us, so it's between
Brad Scott, Matthew Knights (mid coach at Cattery since 2015) and Rob Harvey"
(paraphrasing tony here)

tony hasn't said WHEN, i suggest it's a week by week proposition.
Look at who we are up against, I'd be confident a blowout against the Cats will be the day it happens.
Many teams have come to grief down there, the ground is littered with the bones of the slain.

[suss]

There’s is no doubt that AR will be gone. No doubt. I know who they want but I’m pretty sure they won’t get him. So for what I hear it’s out of three- Scott, Knights, or Harves.

If we end up with Matty Knights as coach I’m f##king done.

Yeah it’s getting like that Knights ffs.

He’s doing well at Geelong cause Geelong have a culture of success .......we don’t
Scott’s a spud after 10 years nothing
Harvey.....not a senior coach imo

I’d seriously look at Ratten and ffs give him a go till seasons end to see what he can produce
AR is finished

Totally agree.

Why risk another L plater coach when we already have a proven coach waiting in the wings?

Ratts did a great job at Carlton and they improved each year from no-hopers to finalists till in his final year they were decimated by injury and dropped back a bit.
Then the idiots at Caaaarlton panicked and worried that Ratts might not have the experience to coach them all the way to a flag, whereas Malthouse had delivered flags and was available, so with Juddy starting to age they dumped Ratts.
And wasn't it a beautiful result - Shytehouse set them back a decade.

Meanwhile Ratts went to Hawthorn, learnt from the best modern day coach.
He's had time, experience and maturity to reflect on how he would be even better second time round.

Plus he's already here.
He knows the list, he's had plenty of time to understand their strengths and weaknesses and must have developed his own theories.

Just give him the caretaker role NOW.
Give him 9 matches and review him then.

It's a low risk strategy.
1) Morale/hope for the players, fans and sponsors could ONLY improve under a new coach.
2) Ratt's is ready made in-house "shovel-ready" with the knowledge/ability to make instant changes.
3) If he proves he is up to it, then he can be permanently appointed with a free hand to run trade week and the draft so he takes "ownership" of the list
4) It he fails to impress it also flags early to the broader footy world that there is a role available and still gives us a chance to make a poaching or appointment early in September instead of an early Sep Richo sacking leading to a late Sept appointment leaving no time for list management by the new coach.

IT'S A NO-LOSE SCENARIO
(Yes I know it might be costly though surely 6 years of under-achievement would trigger some sort of release clause? But even if we have to pay $$$ it will be more than offset by membership and sponsor sales).

Get it done!

Ratts had a 50% win rate as a coach then he’s been a line coach in 3 flags under Clarko.

He would be a better coach now than when he got the job when he was 36 at Carlton.

I agree get it done.

Would love this to happen but they'll wait until finals is completely out of the equation to avoid the contractual trigger.

I read an interesting post on BF about our percentage since Cho has been coach. I hadn't thought about it previously but it makes sense. The proposition is that percentage is a better indicator of where a team is at than wins / losses, because the latter tends to hide the close wins and losses. Since Richo has been our coach, we've never been over 100%, so even in his "good years" of 2016 and 2016 (where we won more than 50% of games), we still had a percentage under 100. Same again this year, even though we've won 6/7, our percentage is 83.4% because we get spanked by good teams. Those lucky wins against Gold Coast have covered over the fact that we're pretty ordinary unfortunately.

[repta]

When the bosses at football club talk about the coaches future, you know he is dead.
"He has my full confidence and the full confidence of the board" is a death sentence.
A coach is only safe when the CEO and board never discusses his future.

well said.

He has my "full support" is he same as saying "we have lifted him off the ground, the door is open ready for the throw."

[samuraisaint]

Listened to Lethlean's 3AW interview.

Get the impression Richo survives the week, but won't survive another one like that.

I thought he drew a clear line in the sand.

The Tigers will absolutely go to town on us.
It's gonna get ugly.
Club should just forfeit the game to save face, save % and not pay match payments to the surrender monkeys

Richmond are dangerous because they've had a few shockers and will be breathing fire. Despite that, with their injuries they're probably not as good as Brisbane. Its Geelong in Geelong, that has carnage written all over it.

Yep.
Adelaide in Adelaide as well.

Sydney at the SCG too. Definitely.