Nick Dal Santo to leave St Kilda AFLW coaching role
Brad Lloyd will lead an independent review of the Saints’ AFLW program after a winless start to the season.
St Kilda says Nick Dal Santo has decided to step down as its AFLW coach, with one final match to oversee at RSEA Park. The club has also appointed former Carlton AFL football boss Brad Lloyd to examine its women’s program independently.
Dal Santo, 42, took charge in 2022 and has recorded 22 wins and 39 losses while also working as an AFL commentator. He said he had considered whether staying in the job was right for him and the program, and remained proud of its development.
The Saints have lost all eight games this season, with defeats averaging 39 points. That follows a 7-5 record last season, when they reached the finals for the first time. Their loss to the Bulldogs, in which they managed only one behind, prompted speculation about Dal Santo’s position.
Lloyd and his company will work with the team through the remainder of the season, reviewing all areas of the AFLW program. He has previously carried out similar reviews at Richmond and Carlton.
St Kilda chief executive Carl Dilena thanked Dal Santo for his leadership and contribution. Dilena said the club wanted to identify improvements, direct investment to the right areas and act urgently to make its AFLW team consistently competitive.
