TonyK
CibbuanoSaints feared player exodus after sacking Thomas
May 15th 2008 04:20
ST KILDA feared it would lose several of its star players following the sacking of coach Grant Thomas in September 2006, a judge heard today.
Thomas agreed today that one of the reasons the club offered to pay him an extra $100,000 when his contract was terminated following the elimination final loss to Melbourne was the perception he was very close to the Saints' stars.
St Kilda's barrister, Leslie Glick QC, put it to Thomas that he was unique in the AFL in that he was not only coach but a defacto football manager and had an important role in dealing with player contracts.
Thomas said he was close to the playing group but denied he had any knowledge about Saints' player contracts that would not be widely available to other AFL clubs.
"There was a perception you were close to certain players in the group?" Mr Glick asked.
Thomas replied: "I was close to them all."
Mr Glick suggested the board had a fear about Thomas's closeness to key players and his knowledge of contracts and they didn't want him having discussions with team members that might undermine loyalty to St Kilda Football Club.
"Part of what you were being paid the $100,000 was not to have an adverse discussions with the players?" Mr Glick asked and Thomas replied "not to destablise the club".
At the time Thomas was sacked there was media speculation key forward Nick Riewoldt was devastated and might leave St Kilda.
On the night of the sacking around 15 players, including Riewoldt, visited Thomas at his Brighton home.
Thomas is suing the Saints for $272,000, he claims he is owed in contractural payments and annual leave entitlements.
The case continues.
Thomas agreed today that one of the reasons the club offered to pay him an extra $100,000 when his contract was terminated following the elimination final loss to Melbourne was the perception he was very close to the Saints' stars.
St Kilda's barrister, Leslie Glick QC, put it to Thomas that he was unique in the AFL in that he was not only coach but a defacto football manager and had an important role in dealing with player contracts.
"There was a perception you were close to certain players in the group?" Mr Glick asked.
Thomas replied: "I was close to them all."
Mr Glick suggested the board had a fear about Thomas's closeness to key players and his knowledge of contracts and they didn't want him having discussions with team members that might undermine loyalty to St Kilda Football Club.
"Part of what you were being paid the $100,000 was not to have an adverse discussions with the players?" Mr Glick asked and Thomas replied "not to destablise the club".
At the time Thomas was sacked there was media speculation key forward Nick Riewoldt was devastated and might leave St Kilda.
On the night of the sacking around 15 players, including Riewoldt, visited Thomas at his Brighton home.
Thomas is suing the Saints for $272,000, he claims he is owed in contractural payments and annual leave entitlements.
The case continues.
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