St Kilda chief executive Michael Nettlefold and president Peter Summers front the media following Scott Watters' sacking. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Michael Klein / News Limited
SCOTT Watters was delusional.
Maybe he was made to be delusional, but in the end he was delusional about his power at the club, delusional about his support, and, most importantly, delusional about his standing against the new head of football Chris Pelchen.
Two weeks ago, on October 17, under the umbrella of the club's vision statement, Watters was told Pelchen was head of football and that Watters would report to him.
For a man with tons of self-confidence -- others have called it a sense of smugness, if not ego -- Watters seemingly didn't accept the seriousness of the edict.
You coach, he was told, and leave the running of the football department to Pelchen.
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Watters agreed to the "buy-in", but over the next two weeks, continued to act the all-encompassing football coach.
In effect, Watters couldn't or wouldn't let go.
So, finally the Saints did it for him.
It's a strange business, footy.
If Watters knuckled down to his task, he would still be coach, and potentially still be in line for a contract extension sometime next season.
There were some issues, but nothing insurmountable.
Clearly, yesterday's decision was a drive-by shooting.
He believed, up until yesterday morning when he initiated a radio interview with SEN Radio, that he had the support of the board, namely the new president Peter Summers, and that there was nothing wrong with his relationship with key officials.
He was sacked hours later.
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Delusional might not adequately explain how wrong Watters was in reading the tea leaves.
He would be desperately disappointed with Summers.
Three weeks ago, in a Brighton cafe, Watters spoke of the support he had from the president, as he did yesterday, and truth be told, there was an indication that he expected to be reappointed at the next board meeting -- October 17.
He spoke of forming a strong alliance with Summers and the new chief executive.
It was known that Watters and Pelchen had an uneasy relationship, which affected the large group of support staff.
It has been said that Watters wasn't too choosy with who he aired his dirty laundry with, which included members of staff, which is always fraught.
Because absolutely no-one has said football clubs are a circle of trust.
From October 17 to yesterday, Watters managed somehow to lose the confidence of the board and the executive, which included Pelchen and outgoing CEO Michael Nettlefold.
Much has been hinted about his relationship with the players, but it's understood that played next to no part in the club's decision.
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Skipper Nick Riewoldt, who is in Texas, was told yesterday after the decision was made.
Still, Watters and the players were in a bit of a mess.
Watters inherited an ageing group, a poor youth list, and a barren group of 25-year-old's, and knew he had to make changes.
Indeed, he was in a tough position for he was dealing with highest club greats.
Shipping off Brendon Goddard and then Nick Dal Santo may one day be seen an advantageous moves _ let's see who the draft picks acquire _ but at present it is being viewed as the breaking down of a once committed and hungry group a bounce away from a premiership.
Perhaps not the club's fault either, but Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna and Sam Fisher in trade headlines also made players jumpy.
Riewoldt was planning to address the treatment of the older players when he returned from the Lone Star State.
There was also the savaging Watters gave the group after the dwarf fire debacle, which has been described as withering.
Watters, wanting to heap standards on the group, didn't name names, but threatened players with immediate expulsion from the club if their off-seasons included such things as benders in Las Vegas, and all nighters on Koh Pangan.
Watters told people the players accepted the dressing down. Others have said some players were taken aback.
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It has also been said Watters address at the club's best and fairest, where he spoke about not accepting mediocrity bemused the gang of 2009 and 2010.
Watters clearly worked to the beat of his own drum.
For example, he played Ahmed Saad at the Gabba in the week it was revealed he'd had tested positive to taking a performance-enhancing drug.
That's all good, the support of the coach to a player, but it's believed the executive didn't know of the decision, and that several football staff found out when Saad arrived, in civvies, in Brisbane.
Watters' dismissal isn't down to one act or one conversation, it's about a collective which finally skewered him.
The club did not attempt to sack him on October 17, as has been reported, but rather the discussion was around what would happen if Watters did not adhere to the new terms of employment.
Yesterday we found out.
The now-famous SEN interview was not the single killer blow either, but in an environment where structure and adhering to authority was suddenly paramount, Watters calling the radio station off his own bat had Saints officials shaking their heads.
And so the Saints have done it again. It's another inglorious end to a coaching appointment and although they'd argue they did it for the good of the club - when don't they? - the Saints are looking for a new coach.
Mark Williams is an obvious candidate as is club great Robert Harvey and unquestionably other names will pop out of the wilderness.
Whoever gets it best have a clear understanding of the job description.
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