Senior Saints figures were upset about Ross’ early departure

Senior Age football columnist Caroline Wilson maintains key figures at St Kilda “are really disappointed” in the decision of leadership group member Seb Ross to head back to Victoria early last week and miss the Saints’ match against Adelaide in Cairns.

Ross – whose wife Marnie gave birth to twins in May – and Tim Membrey, whose wife Emily is expecting their first child in the coming days, both headed back from Sydney – where the Saints were based last week – rather than head to Queensland where St Kilda lost narrowly to the Crows on Saturday night.

Wilson said senior personnel at the club had been frustrated by Ross’ decision in particular and didn’t view his reasons as sufficiently compelling to warrant an early return.

“I think senior people at the club, they were upset about that. They were definitely upset about that,” Wilson said on Tuesday’s Real Footy podcast.

“This is a business, yes it’s not as important as family, a footy game is not as important as family, even in professional sport, but the game is certainly changing isn’t it?

“The twins don’t have any health problem, his wife just needed him at home. I don’t think that is a usual thing that would happen in a workplace these days.

“I’m not going to hang Seb Ross but I am simply making the point, St Kilda people are really disappointed about this.

“Everybody’s tiptoeing around it publicly.”

Wilson had initially reported the issue on Monday night’s episode of Footy Classified, which airs on Nine, owner of this masthead.

AFL Players’ Association chief Paul Marsh responded via Twitter on Tuesday.

“I’m shocked these outdated & ignorant views still exist within the industry. The players have, & will continue to support the industry throughout the uncertainty of COVID, but there are times when family comes first. This should be supported not questioned,” Marsh wrote.

Most Viewed in Sport

From our partners

Source: Read Full Article