Thomas’ comments couldn’t turn the attention completely away from Friday’s events. "To me it just seems like if you're going to be playing one, two and eventually three or five games a year in Wellington and maybe some in Auckland as well, I suppose in eight to 10 years, it makes sense that St Kilda is the choice to do that." "I can't understand how in five to six years' time, nearing 2020, how they're going to be able to unravel the St Kilda footy club out of that and put a new club in or start a new club," he said. Thomas believes the Saints may fall victim to New Zealand receiving a full-time AFL team. St Kilda were part of AFL history earlier this year when they took on the Sydney Swans in Wellington on ANZAC Day as the first home and away game to be played internationally. "Our next bastion to me seems as though it might be New Zealand and that to me means that St Kilda could potentially be lost to Melbourne and the AFL. "I'd like to see St Kilda back out of the New Zealand deal firstly, and secondly if the AFL's serious about its global expansion New Zealand is the obvious next port, and quite clearly the AFL is investing a lot of money to ensure that that happens," Thomas told. Thomas isn’t against the league’s push into foreign territory, but believes the Saints’ best interest may be better served focusing on a return to the AFL’s elite in Melbourne.
The poor on-field and financial state of some clubs has led to speculation of contraction or relocation for AFL clubs in the future. St Kilda sent the axe tumbling down on coach Scott Watters on Friday afternoon in embarrassing circumstances and as media pundits piled on the decision with scathing comments, the often outspoken Thomas turned his attention to the Saints’ move into New Zealand.
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