St Kilda have parted ways with AFLW senior coach Nick Dal Santo after a disappointing eight consecutive losses.
The Saints confirmed on Friday that the former St Kilda and North Melbourne star would step down after Saturdayโs game against Collingwood and the club would do an independent review of its AFLW program.
The club said it was Dal Santoโs decision, after six seasons in the job.
โNick has made a significant contribution to our AFLW program across six seasons and will always be an important part of our football club,โ St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena said in a statement.
โHis care, commitment and leadership have been unwavering, and we thank him for everything he has given to the program, including leading the team to its maiden finalโs appearance last season.
โWe look forward to recognising Nickโs contribution this weekend as he leads the team one final time in front of our members and supporters at RSEA Park.
Dal Santo said heโd weighed up whether to continue.
โIโve been giving a lot of thought to my future and whether continuing in this role was the right decision, both for myself and the program,โ Dal Santo said.
โWhere weโve been able to take this program is something Iโll always be incredibly proud of.
โItโs been a privilege to coach this group and help shape its formative years in the competition.
โI have a strong love for this club, I wanted to contribute to womenโs football, and with a daughter of my own, itโs great to see a pathway for young females with football ambitions.
โIโm looking forward to finishing my time as coach alongside the group this weekend and wish them every success for what comes next.โ
Experienced football executive Brad Lloyd has been appointed to lead the review via Apogee Sports.
โOur ambition is to be a consistently competitive and respected club that can contend with the best in the competition,โ Dilena said.
โWe want to give our AFLW program every chance to achieve this and that means identifying where we need to improve, investing in the right areas and acting with urgency.โ
The Saints board met on Wednesday night, to discuss Dal Santoโs future and discuss implementing a review of the struggling womenโs program โ similar to reviews done by Carlton and Richmond.
The alarm bells sounded for Dal Santo over the weekend after St Kildaโs demoralising loss to the Bulldogs in Ballarat where they kicked just one point โ the clubโs lowest ever score and the equal-lowest in AFLW history. It was the lowest score kicked by any side since round 10, 2022.
The coach โ whose contract finishes at the end of 2026 – was defensive in the post-game press conference, citing poor conditions, an extensive injury list and inexperience.
More to come.
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Hannah Kennelly is an award-winning sports reporter and Formula 1 writer at The Age.Connect via email.From our partners
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