The third domino in the world of AFL coaches fell earlier this week, with Alan Richardson and St Kilda parting ways after almost six years together.
The decision to part ways was reportedly his decision, despite pressure very clearly mounting on his position in the weeks leading up to the split.
The former Port Adelaide assistant leaves as the club’s second-longest serving coach, but could never get the club to September football during his reign.
A horrific injury-marred campaign this season sees the Saints anchored to the bottom four for the second straight season.
Where did all go wrong for Richo? Who should the Saints be looking to replace him with?
We got Roar AFL expert and editor Stirling Coates on the Game of Codes podcast to do the post-mortem on Richardson’s St Kilda coaching career and look at the best candidates for the job going forward.
Listen to the discussion:
One candidate on everyone’s lips is the caretaker coach; Brett Ratten. The former Carlton coach was seen to be very hard done by at the Blues when he left in 2012, but has racked up three premierships at Hawthorn as an assistant since and has long been viewed as a strong candidate to return to the hot seat one day.
Visit our Game of Codes hub to catch the full episode and be sure to subscribe and review on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you’re listening.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Ratts all the way. Was doing ok with a mediocre list at Carlton when they ditched him for Malthouse hoping for a messiah coach who could somehow coach brass into gold. I'm not St Kilda (or Carlton) btw
lapsedcyclist
Roar Rookie
Mick Malthouse give him a go, if he does well keep him. If there's no improvement sack him like Malcolm Blight.
Hugh Clasby
Guest
St.kilda hierarchy’s first agenda this week: Dismantle the committee that was formed to find a new coach. He’s right under your noses lads
Hugh Clasby
Guest
The St.kilda hierarchy first agenda this week: Dismantle the committee formed to find a new coach. He’s right under your noses lads.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Show me, Don.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Ok, thanks guys, you don’t pick this stuff up from Nsw. Interesting, is he really more demure than say Goodwin, more introvert than Pyke (would have us believe). Maybe it’s not public persona but how he commands the players. Surely they still do that?
Adrian
Guest
I think Ratten was brought in with the the intention of stepping in as senior coach once richo time has come. He will be the senior coach next year Harvey doesn’t have the personality and I reckon hamill will move into a assistant role. His already made a big change chucking Doulton into the side and I think he’s been keeping a few things up his sleeve. Looks like the boys love him and thought I feel for Richo and he had my full respect for what he has done for the club but I’m glad we are actually doing something.
Gavan Iacono
Roar Rookie
I figured Richo's ousting now was to maintain Ratten in Saint's sights as care-taker then FT coach 2020. Once one domino goes...
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
It is already happening. He is tagging and nobody knows. Why do you think we have lost to Nuffy teams. I really hope Chris is coaching Sunday. Need to punish those Hawks.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Yep mainly for the lols, AD ;)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
For the ‘lols’, BM?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
There is.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Would LOVE to see Brad as an assistant at Geelong.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Odds are that won't happen PTS. His low profile will be hard to overcome given the potential field for senior gigs unless he's the new Clarkson?
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Agree. Sentimental pick but no evidence to suggest he's better than an Assistant.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Why? No evidence he can actually coach.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Harvs has been bucks assistant for eight years and is keen on a senior job but he is a quiet type like Gavin Brown, not sure he has the personality to stand the rigours of being a senior coach.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Brad Scott would be very interesting at Freo.
Cat
Roar Guru
He could sit out a year and see what happens. Freo may open up by then. Port more likely to open up next year also considering Hinkley’s contract
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Is the idea of R Harvey to StK on the table? If not now, ever under some kind of succession? Anyone?