The Saints Digital Rookie team was fortunate enough to obtain access to interview Acting Head of Football, Ameet Baines, a couple of hours before the draft took place on Thursday.

Bains has been working in list management at the Saints for almost four years. The current draft is the fourth one that he has been involved in.
One of the many interesting topics that Ameet discussed with us during the interview was the role he has with the St Kilda Football Club in relation to a diverse set of needs.

Previously, Bains was a lawyer and specialized in contractual formations and processes.  He was a strong asset to the recruiting department because the Saints were not only requiring a list manager but also someone who could respond to all the legalities required for the club to be a successful operation.

He acknowledged that he was pretty fortunate in how St Kilda constructed the role.

“They wanted someone to fill the list management space but also have a legal background to be able to do broader work across the club and bring a bit of rigor to contracts” Bains said.

Although the focus is very much on the draft and potential draftees, another key component of Bains’ role with the club is in relation to the listed players and their contracts.

He said an important part of his job is to speak to managers every week around the players and keeping the dialogue open.

“You have got to have a good relationship.  You need each other”.

In discussing the draft and how some of the decisions are made, Bains provided insight into the abundance of factors that all contribute to the overall perception of a player, with no single standout factor having greater importance.

He also said that each player’s personality, skill set and physical attributes all vary greatly.

“I found in four years, we haven’t had two people that are so similar that we are looking for one thing to split them. “

But when asked if there was a component of a player that is a necessity for the modern game of fast and up tempo football, Bains admitted that endurance is a must.

“The endurance component is a non- negotiable. Pick a player like McCartin and you have to be convinced he can get up and back, not just stay at home”.

Discussion then moved towards more specific recruiting questions, such as what is the weirdest question he’d asked a potential recruit? Bains disclosed that the Saints are generally quite standard and traditional in what they ask but they leave no stoned unturned.

Instead Bains offered some rumors of what other clubs had asked potential draftees. He mentioned that a club once  requested that a young player count backwards in lots of 7 from 184, and another to call a pretend horse race!

We wanted to know more about past decisions and asked if there were any players he was surprised to see still available late in previous years. Bains was quick to point to last years Rookie selection Eli Templeton.

“We rated Eli Templeton really highly and he got all the way through to the rookie draft”.

But Bains emphasised the fact that getting the talent is one thing, but “just as important in identifying the right talent, is developing it”.

From what we have seen as supporters over the past couple of seasons, the players being selected are starting to show how good they can be and it is exciting to see the bond they are forming together, evidenced by the large group signing on as part of the Saints Future Fest.

The Saints are definitely following a plan that is clearly visible for both players and supporters. This is something that has not been as obvious in previous years.

After speaking with Bains, CEO Matt Finnis and Senior Coach Alan Richardson, its easy to pick up on the buzz and excitement surrounding the club as the next generation of players start to show their qualities and potential.

I encourage anyone who is a supporter of the St Kilda Football Club sign on for 2015 and become a member.

Lets build an even stronger supporter base for this great club.