40 pages back I asked what is super coach Richo doing right at the Saints? Maybe appointing this bloke as an assistant is a big part of the answer.
From February
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/af...e/news-story/42e870aa434992515d25e924621ede4b
St Kilda midfielder Jack Steele says rugby league great Billy Slater is already having a profound impact in his new role and helped change the AFL club’s culture.Slater last October was appointed to a newly-created part-time leadership role in the club’s football program. And the Storm legend’s tweaks at the Saints are paying early dividends, according to Steele. “He’s already done quite a lot with our culture and our values around the club,” Slater told
Fox Sports News. “He’s played in quite a lot of successful sides in the last two decades. Having someone like him at the club is so helpful.” Asked specifically what Slater had changed since arriving at Moorabbin, Steele said: “Just the way we get in the club and get things done. Our attitude towards training and meetings and stuff like that. A few little things that help us and help the young boys get things done properly.”
Second-year Saint Nick Coffield echoed Steele’s sentiments, saying Slater — a dual Storm premiership player, Dally M Medallist and two-time Clive Churchill Medallist — “knows what it takes to be an elite player”. “He’s got so much knowledge, even though it’s in a different code,” Coffield told
foxfooty.com.au. “He’s given us little tips on things not to miss and things we should be doing in our first to four years. He said not to wait — if you’re good enough now then you can play.” Steele said Slater had already worked closely with St Kilda’s emerging leaders group and planned to do more one-on-one work with him as the season progresses.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/af...e/news-story/42e870aa434992515d25e924621ede4b
https://www.saints.com.au/news/2019-02-22/billy-slater-knows-my-name
It’s 20 minutes after training on Tuesday and all but two players have left the track following a grueling two-hour session. Two players and Billy Slater. While some players and coaches hit the computers to review vision, Irishman Darragh Joyce and Ed Phillips are going through their usual routine.
READ: Slater making instant impact
The pair are working on getting off the mark and punching a short kick inside the corridor, when Slater joins in. Joyce said the biggest quality he’d noticed in part-time leadership coach Billy Slater, was his willingness and enthusiasm just to be involved. For the next 15 minutes Billy plays the role of defender, competing with each player before manning the mark to ensure they aren’t lazy with their kick inside. “Billy just joined in and worked with us on the drill, which is pretty typical,” Joyce said. “He is always so enthusiastic and just wants to help in whatever way he can.” “He has a lot of time for every player on the list.” Joyce said it one instance from early on in Billy’s time at the Saints that left the biggest impression. “I didn’t get a chance to shake his hand and introduce myself the first two times he was in,” Joyce said. “But the second time he was at the club he was addressing the group and used my name when he asked me a question. “I was pretty impressed he knew who I was; he even knew the Irishman who has only played two games.”...........
https://www.saints.com.au/news/2019-02-22/billy-slater-knows-my-name
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl...or-afl-after-saints-work-20190311-p513ba.html
Billy Slater says working part-time at St Kilda has given him a new appreciation for AFL football. After retiring as a player from the NRL and Melbourne Storm last year, Slater caused a few surprises when he linked up with the Saints in a part-time role in the club's leadership and development programs. It's understood Slater's work has varied from working with club leaders on standards and encouraging young players to back themselves while also working on the training track with the side. Slater also helps out the Storm's outside backs and he will be involved in the television coverage of NRL games this season as well.......
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl...or-afl-after-saints-work-20190311-p513ba.html