St Kilda Saints

Saints dismiss national recruiting boss, make role “redundant” following review

“Following this review, the decision has been made to introduce a new role.”

Published by
Jack Jovanovski

St Kilda has farewelled its national recruiting boss as part of a move that sees the Saints make the entire role redundant, following an internal "review" of their list management operation.

Chris Toce caps a long-standing stint at Moorabbin totalling nine years, having held the role of national recruiting manager for the past two years.

Toce played a pivotal role among a St Kilda list committee that orchestrated the recruitments of the likes of rising forward Mattaes Phillipou last year, rebounding defender Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, jackknife utility Mitchito Owens in 2021, and dependable key defender Callum Wilkie.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 16: Mattaes Phillipou of the Saints celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFL Round 05 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on April 16, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

St Kilda Executive General Manager of Football David Misson declared the Saints had been assessing their list management department ahead of a critical 2024 campaign.

"Recently we have been reviewing the structure of our recruitment and list management team," Misson said, via AFL.com.au.

"Following this review, the decision has been made to introduce a new role; talent identification and player movement manager, which will report into our head of talent and acquisition, Graeme Allan.

"As part of this restructure, we have made the difficult decision to make the role of our current national recruiting manager, Chris Toce, redundant.

"Chris has been a valued employee at the Saints for many years, identifying talent across the country to improve our list and lay a foundation for the future.

"His knowledge of the game and ability to identify not only talent, but potential, is a credit to his hard work and we wish Chris and his family all the best for this next chapter."

St Kilda, headed by list manager Stephen Silvagni and assisted by Toce, welcomed draftees Darcy Wilson, Lance Collard, Angus Hastie, Hugo Garcia, and Arie Schoenmaker to Moorabbin via the 2023 National Draft.

Published by
Jack Jovanovski