Dal Santo quits as St Kilda AFLW coach in winless season
St Kilda has announced an independent review into its AFLW program, as the Saints confirm Nick Dal Santo has decided to step down as coach after eight winless games in 2026.
Nick Dal Santo has announced his decision to resign as coach of St Kilda's women's Australian Rules Football (AFLW) team after a season marred by defeat. The Saints are currently at the very bottom of the AFLW ladder, having suffered eight consecutive losses in the 2026 season.
The club is set to conduct an independent review of its AFLW football program, with Brad Lloyd, who has previously led reviews at other AFLW clubs, appointed to head the investigation. St Kilda finished the regular season with a league-worst 37.2% win percentage and averaged just 23 points per game in attack, while conceding an average of 62 points per game.
In a statement, St Kilda confirmed Dal Santo's decision to step down after six seasons and his final game as senior coach will be this Saturday against Collingwood. St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena praised Dal Santo's "unwavering care, commitment and leadership" and thanked him for his significant contribution to the AFLW program, which culminated in the team's maiden finals appearance last season.
Dal Santo acknowledged the team's progress and expressed pride in the strides made during his tenure, stating he had been giving consideration to whether continuing as coach was the right decision. He reflected on his time coaching the team and his love for the club, emphasizing the importance of providing a pathway for young female footballers. Dal Santo added that he looks forward to finishing his coaching career alongside the team this weekend and wishes them success for the future.
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