AFL club St Kilda’s pending change of president is unlikely to affect any new deal for coach Scott Watters.
Saints president Greg Westaway will be replaced by Peter Summers, chief executive of housing developer AV Jennings, in early September.
Westaway has served the maximum six years under the club’s constitution, and Summers enters the role with the retiring president’s endorsement.
Watters, in his second year leading the Saints and contracted until the end of 2014, had been expected to seek talks about a possible contract extension as soon as the close of this season.
The change of president is unlikely to change St Kilda’s view that Watters is their preferred long-term option.
A deal to secure Watters for 2015 and beyond remains the most likely outcome.
The Saints just missed the finals in his first season, but have only won three games this season as Watters leads a major rebuild and develops young talent.
Watters, who praised the smooth transition of leadership from Westaway to Summers, spoke highly of his new boss as the right man to head the Saints board.
But he says locking in his own long-term future is not yet on his radar.
“It doesn’t really concern me. Those things are dealt with in due course and our immediate attention is this week.” Watters said.
Key defender James Gwilt and small forward Stephen Milne must pass fitness tests before they are considered for the Saints’ clash with premiers Sydney at the SCG on Sunday.
Watters is confident both will be available for selection.
Gwilt was substituted at halftime in their loss to Hawthorn last Friday night with a knee problem, while Milne was a late withdrawal with calf soreness.
“We think they’ll both be available … we just have to check on Gwilty. He was brave to play last week,” Watters said.
“He had bruising to his knee a couple of weeks prior.
“We’ll assess him, but hopefully he’ll be right to play.”
Watters also says defender Sam Gilbert may be ready to return for his first game in three months, but should that happen it is likely to be at VFL level.
Gilbert hasn’t played since injuring his knee against Collingwood in early May.
