Skipper Nick Riewoldt won’t be following retiring AFL fan favourite Lenny Hayes out the door at St Kilda.
Coach Alan Richardson says Riewoldt remains locked in to leading the struggling Saints in 2015.
“Nick’s absolutely committed to next year,” Richardson said.
The playing future of veterans Adam Schneider and key defender Sam Fisher will be decided over the remaining six games.
“That will be a case-by-case basis; at the end of the year, we’ll sit down and we’ll have those conversations.”
St Kilda will do their best to send Hayes out a winner after the 291-game veteran’s announcement of his retirement plans.
The Saints have slumped to last place on the back of 11 successive losses.
They are in line for further misery at Etihad Stadium on Saturday with Fremantle up into second on the back of eight straight wins.
Richardson said Hayes’ looming departure would help motivate the team.
“There will be a little bit of noise around that for the remainder of the season,” Richardson told reporters.
“Lenny’s been really strong for the whole of the year.
“He’s tackled really hard, he’s defended really strongly, he’s put his nose over it and won the footy.”
The coach said Hayes’ commitment to attacking the football at times left others embarrassed by their efforts.
Richardson implored his side to find some consistency after some very patchy form.
“Last week, we were reasonably strong after quarter-time and had as many scoring opportunities as the Kangaroos.
“We’ve got to make sure we’re consistent for four quarters, as opposed to what we’ve been getting and that’s reasonable for parts of the game.”
Meanwhile, Richardson said the club was looking at re-drafting Ahmed Saad.
Saad was banned for 18 months in November for taking a prohibited substance and was delisted by the Saints.
With the ban backdated, the 24-year-old could play in February.
“We think that Ahmed potentially has a bit to offer,” Richardson said.
“He played some good footy for us – albeit a while ago now – but he has the attributes if he can get back in shape.”
Luke
Guest
I agree. Nick has stated that he will be captain so long as the club and board are happy he will be. But I still reckon he's the most lily going to lead the saints next season. And the next captain is hard to pick in my opinion, only Armitage I would've thought could be after Rooey.
Cat
Roar Guru
I think its past time Riewoldt handed over the captaincy to whoever is seen as the saints future leader. Do it while he is still around to help and guide. Do it so the younger players don't rely on him for everything. Wait too long and the Saints will be headed for some even darker times IMO.
Luke
Guest
I think over the next two seasons their will be plenty of the older players departing the Saints including obviously Hayes this year, Fisher and Schneider I think there bodies have had enough as well as Clint Jones. In addition I too think players such as Maister, Dunell, Trent Dennis-Lane, and Milera days are numbered. The following year will make way for possibly Riewoldt, Dempster, Gwilt, Gilbert, Ray As for Ahmed Saad I don't think its in the best long term interests of the club to invest in him. Mainly because he's been out of the game longer than a year without professionally training and doing the day-to-day routines. He will be 26 next year and with the recruitment of Billings, Eli Templeton, Darren Minchington I don't think theres room for him so I believe even in the rookie draft the Saints are better off focusing on quality 18year olds.