Walsh leaves Saints after only four months

Geoff Walsh, one of several high-profile additions to St Kilda's football department in the last few months, has cited family reasons for his shock departure.

ROSS LYON.
ROSS LYON. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

New St Kilda football boss Geoff Walsh has left the AFL club after only four months in the role.

Walsh cited family reasons for his departure, saying in a club statement that his circumstances had changed "very recently".

Dave Misson, who returned to the Saints along with coach Ross Lyon, will be their interim football operations manager.

Their AFLW manager Tessie McManus will also be involved in the men's program administration.

Walsh joined St Kilda at the start of October as one of the AFL's most experienced and best-credentialled football administrators.

"I have really enjoyed my time with the club, but with my personal situation very recently changing, I now need to focus on addressing that, which unfortunately will preclude me from devoting the necessary time to a full-time role in football," Walsh said in a club statement.

"In a short space of time, some significant change in systems, staff and structure have been undertaken in the football program and I have enjoyed playing my part in that. I expect 2023 will see the benefits of those changes.

"It has been a great experience building a working relationship with many talented people within the program, in particular Ross Lyon, who I know will be relentless in driving the program towards a strong future."

A few weeks after the announcement that Walsh would join the club, St Kilda brutally sacked coach Brett Ratten and brought in Lyon for a second tenure in the role.

Misson, who was Lyon's fitness boss when he first coached the Saints, also returned.

Last week, St Kilda announced Stephen Silvagni was coming back as their list manager and Graeme Allan, another AFL administration veteran, would become their head of talent after several years in an advisory role at Moorabbin.

Saints chief executive Simon Lethlean said Walsh had made a big impact in his short time at the club.

"We have been incredibly fortunate to acquire his expertise and skills," Lethlean said.

"Geoff's knowledge and experience has allowed the club to make a strong start at implementing the recommendations of the (football department) review and embracing a new coach as well as many new staff within the program.

"Thanks to Geoff's stewardship and his rigour in driving standards and processes, we are confident in the early signs and feedback coming through from the football program and look forward to seeing what the team can produce in 2023."