Saints give axed AFL manager senior role

ST KILDA has conceded the sudden appointment of Simon Lethlean will be unpopular in some quarters but is in the best interests of the club.

Lethlean has been installed above former first-class cricketer Jamie Cox as the Saints’ new general manager of football.

The move was ratified at a board night.

News Corp Australia revealed yesterday St Kilda had emerged as Lethlean’s last realistic hope of remaining in football in 2018.

He was axed as AFL football operations manager in July over an inappropriate affair with a young woman staffer.

Saints chief executive Matt Finnis said Lethlean was the meeting on Thursday “outstanding candidate” throughout the recruiting process.

“There’s no doubt we wouldn’t be having this conversation if Simon hadn’t resigned from the AFL in July ... [but] Simon’s taken full responsibility for his actions,” Finnis said.

“We understand people will have different views but we’ve made a decision that we be- lieve is in the best interests of our footy club.

“I believe this decision brings us closer to getting the football club where we want to be — a second premiership.

“We believe that as a club, we’ve built equity in terms of what we stand for, and that allows us to bring people into our club who might have made mistakes in the past but are prepared to take accountabil- ity for that. He’s put his hand up and we’re willing to give him a second chance.”

Lethlean will report for duty on January 8 and said in a statement: “I spoke to the playing group and the entire staff this morning and outlined my passion for football and the opportunities I see in the role.

“I feel humbled to be given a second chance in the industry that I love.”