Why former Saints coach is happy for AFL captains to depart struggling clubs

Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas supports AFL captains of struggling clubs looking to move elsewhere.

Thomas’ comments come in the wake of West Coast’s Oscar Allen’s pending free agency move to Brisbane, Essendon captain Zach Merrett pushing for a move to Hawthorn, and Jy Simpkin’s management reportedly gauging the interest of rival clubs to get a move away from North Melbourne.

While some have criticised those wanting to leave a sinking ship, Thomas thinks it should force those clubs to look inwards, with a shock departure potentially leading to positive change.

“I think they should just go, and all look in a very big mirror,” Thomas said on SEN Breakfast.

“I mean, players can go where they want to. Clubs can sack players during contracts, so players can sack clubs during contracts.

“Get with it. I mean, that's what it is. Instead of looking outwards, look inwards and think, ‘What are we doing wrong that players don't want to stay here?’.”

With more and more players each year looking for moves to clubs that are positioning themselves for premiership contention, Thomas thinks that puts positive pressure on clubs to want to compete instead of taking the rebuilding route.

“I think there are two types of clubs in the competition. There are clubs, and there are usually about four or six, that are in the premiership business, and that's the game we're in. There are too many clubs that are just happy to play AFL,” Thomas said.

“I think now more than ever in the competition, players want a premiership medal.

“More than ever, they want it on their CV, especially the great players, and they're not prepared just to win best and fairests and be lauded as a superstar at an underperforming club that never plays finals.

“I think it’s shifting, and I think it's great. It puts pressure on the club to start to look at their processes and their programs and see where they can be better.”

Listen to Thomas’ full chat with Kane Cornes and David King below.