http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/ ... 72,00.htmlFOOTBALL has always been a dirty business.
Sack your struggling coach and you better ensure his reputation is battered enough that your fans won't rise up in opposition.
Ditch a coach who has taken you to the finals for three straight years and you better get busy muckraking.
It is a realisation that has only just dawned on St Kilda president Rod Butterss, one that may cost him his presidency.
St Kilda booted Stan Alves in 1998 after the club finished sixth and the Saints' fans are still up in arms.
Brisbane's Robert Walls and Richmond's John Northey swapped clubs in 1995, and Malcolm Blight walked away from Geelong after the 1994 Grand Final loss, but that's where it starts and ends.
Instead of itemising Thomas's many supposed faults when St Kilda chopped him, Butterss gave only vague reasons about autonomy and failing to secure ruckman David Hille in a trade.
Then he said he would have sacked him even in the event of a premiership.
Thomas walked away with reputation intact and a fresh gang of media comrades to defend their new golf partner.
Butterss's biggest obstacle will not be potential challenger Steve Bedwell, but placating a St Kilda fan base that has again turned feral.
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Here's another :
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/st ... 22,00.htmlSACKED St Kilda coach Grant Thomas had been doomed since the middle of the season.
It was revealed last night that Thomas' fate was sealed months ago when the Saints' board began to sound out the availability of incumbent coaches to take over at the end of the season.
The club's directors felt they had no option other than to release Thomas.
A senior St Kilda source said last night not even a grand final appearance would have guaranteed Thomas' future.
President Rod Butterss admitted yesterday's announcement was a "crystallisation" of the thought processes of the board over the past few months