Nick Dal Santo resigns as St Kilda AFLW coach after winless 2026 season

Consensus Summary

Nick Dal Santo has announced his resignation as St Kilda’s AFLW coach after a disastrous 2026 season, marking the end of his six-season tenure. The Saints have gone winless this year, with eight losses and a league-low percentage of 37.2, averaging just 23 points per game while conceding 62. Dal Santo will coach one final match, against Collingwood on Sat, 10 Oct, 7:15 pm, before stepping down amid a club-wide independent review led by Brad Lloyd. Both outlets agree the team’s performance has plummeted since their 7-5 record and maiden finals appearance in 2022, with Dal Santo citing personal reflection and the need for program renewal as key factors in his decision.

Dal Santo’s departure follows a season of mounting pressure, with the Saints failing to score in multiple games and suffering heavy defeats. ABC reports that St Kilda avoided becoming the first AFLW team to go scoreless in a match only by kicking a single point in a 30-point loss to the Bulldogs, while 7NEWS highlights their struggles against powerhouse teams like North Melbourne and Geelong. The club’s decision to commission an independent review signals a broader effort to address structural issues, with Lloyd—who has previously overseen similar reviews at Richmond and Carlton—tasked with assessing every aspect of the program.

Both articles emphasize Dal Santo’s contributions, including his role in guiding the team to its first finals appearance and his personal commitment to women’s football. 7NEWS quotes him expressing pride in the program’s development and his desire to support young female athletes, while ABC includes a statement from St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena praising his leadership and care. Dal Santo’s final game will be held at RSEA Park, where the club plans to recognize his legacy before the review begins. His resignation comes after four rounds remain in the season, leaving the team’s future direction uncertain.

While both sources align on the core facts—Dal Santo’s resignation, the winless season, and the independent review—differences emerge in specific details. 7NEWS focuses on his coaching record (22 wins, 39 losses) and the immediate sack threat following a one-point loss, whereas ABC underscores the near-scoreless performance against the Bulldogs and the broader schedule of upcoming matches. Neither outlet contradicts the other on major points, but ABC provides more granularity on the team’s defensive struggles and the review’s scope, while 7NEWS offers additional context on individual game statistics, such as the Saints’ low scoring against North Melbourne and Geelong.

The next steps for St Kilda’s AFLW program remain unclear, though both articles confirm Lloyd’s review will continue until the season’s end. 7NEWS suggests the club aims to rebuild competitiveness, while ABC notes the urgency of identifying areas for improvement. Dal Santo’s departure leaves a void, but the independent review may offer a path forward. The focus now shifts to the final four rounds, with the Saints’ performance and the review’s findings likely to shape the club’s long-term strategy in the AFLW competition.