grant thomas stands down, page-19

saints sack thomas www.abc.com.au 12/9/06 @5.18pm EST

Saints sack Thomas
St Kilda have sacked long-serving coach Grant Thomas less than a week after the club's exit from the AFL finals series.

Thomas took charge of the Saints in round 16 in 2001 and led the club to the finals in the past three seasons.

They lost by three goals to Melbourne in last Friday night's elimination final at the MCG.

Thomas said he was upset by the decision, as he felt he had unfinished business with St Kilda's talented playing list.

"I'm very disappointed, obviously because you don't sort of put your heart and soul into something and not be disappointed," he said.

St Kilda's defeat to Melbourne was the club's earliest exit in their three straight finals campaigns.

They made the preliminary final in 2004 and 2005.