St Kilda

[GVGjr]

I don’t mind it.

If you’re out, you’re out. You can still be mates with players at the club and all of that stuff, but if you’ve told your employer to get stuffed, then it’s probably fair enough that you don’t attend an awards night afterward. In some ways, it will be interesting to see if it impacts the playing group positively negatively or not at all.

It's effectively putting a departing player on gardening leave.

[bornadog]

It's effectively putting a departing player on gardening leave.

True. Contracts go to end of October?

[azabob]

So wait... we are arguing whether Smith should be on gardening leave or not.

It is fairly clear Smith has been on gardening leave for all of 2024!

[bornadog]

So wait... we are arguing whether Smith should be on gardening leave or not.

It is fairly clear Smith has been on gardening leave for all of 2024!

Spot on Aza

[comrade]

If Baz had a shred of dignity and self awareness, he?d give the B&F a very wide berth and wouldn?t need the club to tell him otherwise.

[GVGjr]

True. Contracts go to end of October?

Yep.

[bornadog]

Yep.

I wasn't 100% sure. Thanks

[jeemak]

I don't know whether the Saints have leverage in the credibility stakes to be muscling an eight year 123 game players around, even if he is departing. Unless I'm missing something he's caused them no problems and has given them good service over that time, and his contracted period has come to a close?

The people making the decision to force him out, denying him an opportunity to speak and say thank you and wish people well probably haven't put in the same time as he has anyway.

Couple this with the overt sooking about the draft, concessions, equalisation, academies etc. etc. just makes me view them as not looking internally to understand their ordinariness, and projecting outwards as a distraction to their members.

[The Adelaide Connection]

If Baz had a shred of dignity and self awareness, he?d give the B&F a very wide berth and wouldn?t need the club to tell him otherwise.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't I think.

Personally I think we try to keep it on good terms with him- the polar opposite to what we had with Stringer- and (as MJP suggested) take every opportunity to talk about his contributions and importance to the team. Not that I think the latter should be done at the B&F mind you, but no doubt there will be some follow up question about him attending by someone in the media the first opportunity they get.

[Go_Dogs]

He’s outgrown the B&F pretty sure.

[GVGjr]

As Jee pointed out the Saints told Josh Battle not to come to their B&F night then never even acknowledged his departure or service on the night.
You would have to think there is something more to it from St Kilda's perspective than him just leaving after serving out his contract.
I think he even finished 3rd in their count.

[Bullies]

So wait... we are arguing whether Smith should be on gardening leave or not.

It is fairly clear Smith has been on gardening leave for all of 2024!

The club knew well in advance that a deal had been done which is why the "gardening leave" throughout the year. The club have done well to keep their angst in house and not make a deal of it. Very professionally done.

[Grantysghost]

Have to say it's pretty poor form by the Saints.
Guess they have not reached a maturity level yet where they can accept the game of player movement.

Have a crack at the system yes, but not the player looking for a better future.

[Grantysghost]

Btw I thought we handled the Dunkley stuff perfectly. He was welcomed at the B and F even though he was leaving and left a sour taste.

[GVGjr]

Have to say it's pretty poor form by the Saints.
Guess they have not reached a maturity level yet where they can accept the game of player movement.

Have a crack at the system yes, but not the player looking for a better future.

The 'you are either with us or against us' stance the Saints have taken is the populist position and will greatly appeal to the majority of supporters who are frustrated with their performances this year. Playing the victim card on father son and academy picks will also resonate with many of their supporters. Battle played for them all season and didn't deserve to be isolated away from the night.
It's not like he bagged the club in the media and didn't meet their standards through the season.