Whatever he taught them, however they stuffed up, Neeld and Watters have ensured that Malthouse is the last person any aspiring coach would want vouching for them.

Malthouse's seal of approval has gutted two clubs in as many years.

Watters’ sacking comes after the departures of assistant coaches Dean Bailey and Jaymie Graham and fitness boss Bill Davoren, while his relationship with football boss Chris Pelchen remained strained.

- St Kilda is a club in crisis following the shock sacking of senior coach Scott Watters

Bailey?

- St Kilda is a club in crisis following the shock sacking of senior coach Scott Watters

Bailey?

no, Bailey is still employed by the Crows.

http://www.afc.com.au/the-club/information/staff

no, Bailey is still employed by the Crows.

http://www.afc.com.au/the-club/information/staff

WOW really??? You learn something new everyday..

WOW really??? You learn something new everyday..

Bailey's suspension was reported by some as part of the reason for Adelaide's regression this year.

It's a shame Dean Bailey had a noose around his neck whilst he was coaching us,held by the CEO.

He is actually a very smart operator.

The game against Meth Coast over there in 2011 was his deathnell.....

A shame.

It's a shame Dean Bailey had a noose around his neck whilst he was coaching us,held by the CEO.

He is actually a very smart operator.

The game against Meth Coast over there in 2011 was his deathnell.....

A shame.

Nah I'm pretty sure when Bailey let the players protest so much in the Geelong game that he put the noose there himself. The only problem was we didn't clean the whole joint out. Everyone says Watters is like Neeld due to the similar back ground and personality. But really he was like Bailey, undercut by footy manager and management.

The Saints have now left the management in place to pick the new coach. For their sake I hope they at least go for experience.

Clearly there is so much more happening in Saint Kilda then is known by the general public.

Not sure that that's the case (though not saying it isn't either). Watters isn't the only one to leave and I doubt that Laidley etc. would have left if Watters was the only problem - given that Watters must have been close to being pushed in any case. Brereten is pointing the finger at Pelchin, and you'd have to wonder whether or not that's not more where the fault lies.

Watters had a very good record at Subiaco, and OK, it's "only" the WAFL, but he'd certainly done as well as Basset at Norwood in terms of success. Watters was also appointed from within at Subiaco, so he must have been a known commodity. Hard to see that you'd be winning premierships and getting contract extensions if you didn't know how to get on with players (and club admin for that matter).

One of the interesting parallels with Neeld and Watters is that they were both sacked from clubs with disfunctional admin and footy dept. From the Board and CEO etc. down, if it's not working, hard for coaches, especially first-time coaches, to get the support they need or have the structures around them that will help, not hinder.

Watters inherited a list at Subiaco which was the best in the WAFL and had been built by Peter German. Under German they were runners up to West Perth in 2003 before winning in 04 & 06. Watters took them to flags in 07 & 08 with the same list. I know you still have to make changes and moves on match day but not sure how he would have gone with a less talented list. Even back at Subi there were rumours of issues between him and the players and I do know there were issues with other coaches at the club.

I think Saints have made the right move Watters was a dead man walking and they would have been no chance next season. The playing group would have been aware of this and been like the Dees of 2013

I think Saints have made the right move Watters was a dead man walking and they would have been no chance next season. The playing group would have been aware of this and been like the Dees of 2013

The playing group look happy enough in this little masterpiece.

The playing group look happy enough in this little masterpiece.

I see their problem, it was not their singing that was the real issue. But the theme song itself, how copuld anyone be expected to sing that rubbish with any passion.

Now if the song was "Its a Grand Old Flag" that a totally different story.

The playing group look happy enough in this little masterpiece.

And their supporters wonder why everyone else think they are the biggest laughing stock in the country.

Sad individuals they are..

And their supporters wonder why everyone else think they are the biggest laughing stock in the country.

Sad individuals they are..

WInners are grinners - they won that competition!

WInners are grinners - they won that competition!

WTF?

So...

Blake, Koschitzke and Milne have retired

DalSanto has bailed

They traded their number one ruck

Their CEO is retiring

Axed their coach

This draft is going to make or break them. If they don't get it right it's off to the dark ages for a while.

WTF?

The Saints won the Virgin Australia competition with that video which DD36 said they look like a joke.

The Saints won the Virgin Australia competition with that video which DD36 said they look like a joke.

Yeah, that's what I meant. Total disbelief.

Yeah, that's what I meant. Total disbelief.

You're telling me!

Nah I'm pretty sure when Bailey let the players protest so much in the Geelong game that he put the noose there himself. The only problem was we didn't clean the whole joint out. Everyone says Watters is like Neeld due to the similar back ground and personality. But really he was like Bailey, undercut by footy manager and management.

The Saints have now left the management in place to pick the new coach. For their sake I hope they at least go for experience.

i am not saying for one minute that Bailey should not have left when he did, others should have gone too.

But i don't think Bailey was ever able to coach to his potential while at the MFC

Schwab's Blueprint was the bible of the day.

Papers reporting that Pelchen and Choco are best mates. Williams must be odds on for the job.

This really annoys me. Watters goes on a radio program with the clear and full agreement of club officials, and while he is there, all the strings are pulled together behind his back to form the rope to then hang the poor bugger!!! Absolute disgrace. And a reminder to Chris Pelchen - you are employed to work with the club UNDER the authority of the senior coach, not as an equal point of reference. I hate the AFL at times like this. I know it is a "fully professional environment" but so are the places most of us work at. If you are going to sack someone, have the guts to look them in the eye and tell them clearly and kindly what those reasons are.

The Saints leadership culture = horrible

The Saints coaching choices and development = horrible

Board-Coach relationships = horrible (think of Blight, Thomas, now Watters)

Interesting that another Pies coach is sacked with a horrible winning percentage. Perhaps the best thing the Pies did was to move Malthouse on.

But there is good news for us. Brisbane, Essendon and the Saints look all set for a season of [censored] and the spotlight is off the Dees.

I think its a disgrace as well but I think you are wring on one point. Watters was to report to Pelchen I believe.

Latest strange goings on:

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/st-kilda-cuts-to-shortlist-for-new-coach-20131110-2x9vk.html

So Chocko vs nobody so far.

They're gonna interview 2 further current AFL assistants but they are not Rob Harvey, Ratten, Richardson, Goodwin, Tudor or Burns - who's left?

I heard yesterday from someone who is normally on the money that Choco had been signed before they announced Watters sacking.

They realised how bad the press conference was re:Watters and decided to hold the announcement for later in the week. And then kept holding on...

When Rob Harvey wanted an interview, they then told him not to bother as choco is already on-board.

I havent been following the ins and outs very closely so cant comment. But my Carlton mate told me like it was old news, so I believe it.

I heard yesterday from someone who is normally on the money that Choco had been signed before they announced Watters sacking.

They realised how bad the press conference was re:Watters and decided to hold the announcement for later in the week. And then kept holding on...

When Rob Harvey wanted an interview, they then told him not to bother as choco is already on-board.

I havent been following the ins and outs very closely so cant comment. But my Carlton mate told me like it was old news, so I believe it.

Occam's Razor