Final interview reveals clueless Scott Watters

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Either way, Watters last interview on SEN, is a revealing insight as to what it's like to be a coach in those final hours before the axe comes down.

When asked about the mood at the club, Watters said: "Look, obviously we're going through a pretty big transition, you know, on and off the field.

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"If you look back over 12 months, we've had changes to our board, which have been fantastic

"We've got some great people in there. We had in recent times, obviously we're looking at a change of CEO etc and our list as everyone knows is going through a pretty big and challenging movement, so I think with that you attract a fair bit of attention.

"I just think it's so important for our members to know how much positivity is going on and you mentioned some of the selections that have occurred through the trade … there's a massive up side to this group now and there's a very optimistic feel to where we're at and really looking forward to the start of pre-season."

Watters was then asked about his relationship with head of football Chris Pelchen, following widespread reports the pair have a strained relationship.

In this instance, the specific question given to Watters related to whether the pair were 'diametrically opposed' in terms of which direction the club was going in.

As a result, Watters only specifically answered the question and avoided addressing other issues around the relationship.

"I've got to admit. I actually find that sort of statement quite … almost … laughable. Chris and I are absolutely perfectly aligned from a list management point of view and that really was from day one," Watters said.

"The challenges of our list are something that we sort of share on a daily basis so our list management committee, I think, have done an outstanding job, not just this year but over the last two years."

Although reports suggest there's been a breakdown in the relationship between Watters and the playing group – one that apparently degenerated beyond repair after the coach privately criticised the players' culture following their infamous Mad Monday in September – Watters only slightly conceded there were any issues.

"I think we've got a great senior group. They're really committed to where we're going. The conversations I've had with Nick (Riewoldt) and Lenny (Hayes) and Joey (Leigh Montagna), they're ongoing.

"I think it has been hard for them at times to … almost I guess they sort of sit in a position where they know that the club has to go through a strong development phase and that's pretty challenging for senior players who two or three years ago were competing in grand finals.

"I think that's a natural thing for them to go through but they're ongoing conversations and I think their support of the younger players, you look at the way that Nick Riewoldt's played over the last two years, you look at Leigh Montagna's form, certainly last year finishing second in our best and fairest.

"Those guys have been outstanding so again those sort of speculative comments are just so far off the mark it's a joke."

The true extent of the disconnect between what Watters knew, however, and what was really going on was when the coach was asked whether any discussions had occurred at the club relating to him being sacked in the wake of last month's football department review.

Watters replied: "Not one. To be very blunt."

Yet, at that very time as he was speaking, the board was meeting to discuss his future.

When further pressed on whether he had the full support of the St Kilda Football Club he said: "Absolute, very clear, great clarity with the president and the board and again, I'm not really sort of going to come on here and defend that.

"We've got really good communication. I know exactly where we sit.

"When a president sits with you and says we see you as a long-term coach, that's enough for me, I'll get on with work, I'll get on with business.

"We need to stay really focussed with what we're doing coaching wise through what's a pretty challenging time. I won't deviate from that."

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