Need Help from Saints fans

[gocatsgo]

I am in the process of writing a feature article about the AFL club culture and the Blight sacking of this year, I would appreciate feedback from StKilda supporters on this topic.

Here are the questions

1. What was your initial reaction when you heard the news that Malcolm had been given the boot?

2. Did you think it was justified given the clubs position on the ladder, or do you feel that he deserved more of a chance?

3. What did you think about Caroline Wilson's comments especially on Talking Footy the week after the event?

*To refresh your memory she said "After talking with Rod (Butterss) the previous week, I got the gut feeling that Malcolm would not have been at the club next season".

4. Do you belive the club when hiring Blight abondoned the 'process' of finding a coach in order to secure him for a multi million deal or was the process always to 'Get Blighty'?

5. Where has the club failed since the 1997 Grand Final? Was it a case of near enough was good enough? Was it a case of complacency or was it something different - if so what?

6. Was the time up for Stan Alves when he was sacked or do you believe it was a player driven revolt that got rid of him?

7. In your eyes, what do you perceive to be the StKilda 'Club Culture'? Is it describable?

8. How do you believe the club is perceived throughout the football world?

9. Do you have faith in Rod Butterss and Grant Thomas or will you be backing Dennison in the push for an overhall of the club?

10. Why is there always a perception over a few players as being the trouble makers within the club? I am referring to Everitt nad Jones who remain, plus obviously the departed Hall? Are they the trouble or are they just easy to blame because of a high profile?

If you are able to help me on some other facts such as History of the club I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance - gocatsgo!

[sainter]

Originally posted by gocatsgo
I am in the process of writing a feature article about the AFL club culture and the Blight sacking of this year, I would appreciate feedback from StKilda supporters on this topic.

Here are the questions

1. What was your initial reaction when you heard the news that Malcolm had been given the boot?

I was in Geelong and received a couple of a phone calls from friends telling me about it. I immediately went down to the uni's computer lab to see what was going on. Initially I was in shock, wondering what was happening to my club. At the time I wasn't aware of the circumstances and just assumed that he had walked out. As news filted through, I began to understand why the decision was made.

2. Did you think it was justified given the clubs position on the ladder, or do you feel that he deserved more of a chance?

I don't think he was sacked primarily because of our win/loss ratio. Sure, if we were 12 wins and 3 losses rather than 3 wins and 12 losses, he probably wouldn't have been sacked. However there was a strong suggestion that he didn't have the level of committment required to coach at the senior level.

3. What did you think about Caroline Wilson's comments especially on Talking Footy the week after the event?

*To refresh your memory she said "After talking with Rod (Butterss) the previous week, I got the gut feeling that Malcolm would not have been at the club next season".

I just thought it was typical Caro stirring the pot and acting as a trouble maker. To her credit, she was right and has been spot on on quite a few issues since. (Did I just say that?)

4. Do you belive the club when hiring Blight abondoned the 'process' of finding a coach in order to secure him for a multi million deal or was the process always to 'Get Blighty'?

The club had interviewed prospective coaches and put them through an extensive process involving interviews, psychological testing, etc. However the lure to hire Blighty that initially began as a dream, was beginning to turn into reality and the club probably did get overexcited and the failure to have him go through the same process was a mistake. The club have admitted that and I'm happy with the current administration.

5. Where has the club failed since the 1997 Grand Final? Was it a case of near enough was good enough? Was it a case of complacency or was it something different - if so what?

A combination of many factors. Too many to discuss. Plus I'd prefer to look towards the future.

6. Was the time up for Stan Alves when he was sacked or do you believe it was a player driven revolt that got rid of him?

I don't know, I'm not a part of the inner sanctum of the club. I know what non supporters and the media think of the decision. I also know of one particular incident during a three quarter time address and rumours of other incidents inhouse that weren't too flattering. Quite frankly I'm sick of losers like Rex Hunt repeatedly talking about how the players have too much say and I was rapt when Harvey confronted him on the sportsworld panel.

7. In your eyes, what do you perceive to be the StKilda 'Club Culture'? Is it describable?

You know my thoughts. It's also in a thread about Essendon and Aussie Jones. Do a search if you want a look.

8. How do you believe the club is perceived throughout the football world?

I don't give a toss about what people think about my football club. We are a special club and have fantastic supporters. When the success comes, it's going to be awesome.

9. Do you have faith in Rod Butterss and Grant Thomas or will you be backing Dennison in the push for an overhall of the club?

Dennison is a ****er and can go to hell as far as I'm concerned. Rod Butterss has made a few errors. No one is denying that. But I have an enormous amount of faith in he and the entire board. Dennison is a bankrupt and only just bought a membership so he could challenge for a spot on the board. He is a trouble-maker and the impression I have is that the vast majority of our supporters are 100% behind Butterss. As for Thomas, the manner in which he was appointed wasn't handled the best. But as a coach, I like what I see. He has excellent people skills and has very quickly earnt respect of the players. He seemed to be tactically sound in the coaching box and at no time was he overwhelmed. What I like about him is that he regularly logs on to the clubs fan forum and lets us know what is going on. He has kept us up to date with how our trading was progressing and that Matt Rendell and Dean Wallis were to be announced as our new assistant coaches. He also has given us some other news that I won't mention. After he's had a chance to implement his new game plan, I have high hopes. Anyway, Rod and Grant have my full support and Dennison can go to hell.

10. Why is there always a perception over a few players as being the trouble makers within the club? I am referring to Everitt nad Jones who remain, plus obviously the departed Hall? Are they the trouble or are they just easy to blame because of a high profile?

They've made mistakes in the past, no one is denying that. It's a fact of life that the media will focus on the negative aspects moreso than positive news. Spider got more publicity for allegardly not returning a tupperware containter from a milk bar than having a brilliant season and winning the best and fairest. Again I don't care what others think.

If you are able to help me on some other facts such as History of the club I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance - gocatsgo!

[Hit The Boundary Saints]

My thoughts as follows

Here are the questions

1. What was your initial reaction when you heard the news that Malcolm had been given the boot?

Shock, disbelief. I was overseas at the time, and got an email from a friend suggesting I look at AFL.com.

2. Did you think it was justified given the clubs position on the ladder, or do you feel that he deserved more of a chance?

The ladder position didn't help, but there must have been more to it than that. These guys will have known how the sacking will make them look, and still went through with it. The easier course of action would have been to ride it out through to the end of the season, but they had the balls to do it then.

3. What did you think about Caroline Wilson's comments especially on Talking Footy the week after the event?

*To refresh your memory she said "After talking with Rod (Butterss) the previous week, I got the gut feeling that Malcolm would not have been at the club next season".

Apart from her pro Richmond bias, I believe Caro usually has her finger on the pulse and pretty good info.

4. Do you belive the club when hiring Blight abondoned the 'process' of finding a coach in order to secure him for a multi million deal or was the process always to 'Get Blighty'?

No question. Blight was seen as the Saviour. He beat StK in the 97 GF, and it is fact that it was only in his last year at Geelong that he played in or coached a losing side against St Kilda. It was a case of Blight no matter the cost.

5. Where has the club failed since the 1997 Grand Final? Was it a case of near enough was good enough? Was it a case of complacency or was it something different - if so what?

Complacency is an enormous part to do with it. Up until the State of Origin break in 98, we were on top with 12-4 record. In that week 12 players played SOO, including Peckett (for Victoria) and Young (for Tassie) - very hard to imagine that now. The next week we got thumped by North and started a downhill spiral. Then 99 again started well (7-3 after 10 rounds) until the Hawthorn debacle. Since then the confidence has been missing, and football is primarily a confidence and mental game.

6. Was the time up for Stan Alves when he was sacked or do you believe it was a player driven revolt that got rid of him?

Don't know, have heard the stories of blokes being pushed down the stairs etc. Basically I don't know what to believe.

7. In your eyes, what do you perceive to be the StKilda 'Club Culture'? Is it describable?

There is an element of acceptance of mediocrity, that players are legends or superstars before they truely earned the right. All clubs have this to a certain extent, but I think with St Kilda more than most. It is a perpetual cycle, there are not many old time heroes around the place, because we haven't won many flags.

8. How do you believe the club is perceived throughout the football world?

Don't really give a stuff what other supporters think. Everyone just goes for the same old stereotypes. Within football departments however, I am sure that they would drill into their players that St Kilda are mentally weak and will cave in under pressure.

9. Do you have faith in Rod Butterss and Grant Thomas or will you be backing Dennison in the push for an overhall of the club?

Dennison has nothing but rhetoric and misinformation. I am not overly happy with the process that Butterrs followed in appointing Thomas, but since that is happened, they have done little wrong, and a number of things right, such as communication.

10. Why is there always a perception over a few players as being the trouble makers within the club? I am referring to Everitt nad Jones who remain, plus obviously the departed Hall? Are they the trouble or are they just easy to blame because of a high profile?

We seem to attract the type, but it is sensationalised by the media. I think that Sainter earlier had a good example re Everitt and the tupperware container. Hall was at the nightclub but wasn't drunk, and was defending a friend. Why isn't Richmond (Daffy, Ottens in the lock up), Carlton (Lappin, Fevola etc), and others highlighted as much, or the culture blamed, because it is a good story that feeds on the stereotype.

If you are able to help me on some other facts such as History of the club I would greatly appreciate it.

Best source of History is "The Point of it All" by Russel Holmesby written probably 8 years ago. It's got to be in a public library somewhere.