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, the coach of St Kilda's AFLW team, has announced his decision to step down after a winless 2026 season. St Kilda finds itself at the bottom of the ladder, with eight losses in a row. The team narrowly avoided becoming the first AFLW side to not score in a full game, with a 30-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.
The club will conduct an independent review of its AFLW football program, with Brad Lloyd from Apogee Sports appointed to lead the review. Dal Santo's tenure has been marked by six years of coaching, including the team's maiden finals appearance last season. St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena praised Dal Santo for his care, commitment, and leadership, stating that the decision to step down was difficult, but he wants what is best for the club and the program.
With only four rounds remaining in the regular season, St Kilda sits at the league's lowest point, with a dismal 37.2% win percentage. The team averages 23 points per game while conceding an average of 62 points per game. The critical moment came during last weekend's 30-point loss to the Bulldogs, where St Kilda failed to score.
Dal Santo expressed his pride in the program's development but acknowledged that continuing as coach may not be the right decision. He emphasized his love for the club and his commitment to women's football, particularly with his daughter now interested in the sport. Dal Santo will be present at Saturday's home match against Collingwood, marking his final game as senior coach.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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