Nathan Buckley, conversely, decided to bail from the extra inquisitions on AFL 360 before the 2017 season, in which Buckley was coming out of contract and did not retain his job until Geoff Walsh recommended a series of changes – including to Buckley's method – in a comprehensive end-of-season review of the footy department.

Richardson is not a coach who enjoys talking about himself, either. He is more comfortable discussing coaching issues, players and the game. Fox Footy, meanwhile, is still to determine how the Monday coaching segment will work, with Scott obviously a chance to continue.

Like Buckley before him, Richardson can put a greater focus on coaching and dealing with players, worrying less about extraneous duties. Alas, unlike Buckley, Richardson does not have a midfield boasting four A-graders – nor the overall talent of Collingwood of 2018 (or Damien Hardwick's Richmond in 2017) – to shoot right up the ladder, thereby securing a new deal.

It would be a monumental achievement for the Saints to play finals this year, despite their friendly fixture.

Whatever transpires, St Kilda shapes as one of the stories of the season. Aside from the Richardson question, they have installed a new president, revamped their list management at the behest of football boss Simon Lethlean and have to begin making inroads on a debt that exceeds $10 million.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan, a genuine and often frustrated St Kilda fan, challenged the Saints to improve their business performance before the 2018 season, given that the league had bought the Docklands stadium and was giving the Saints, Bulldogs and Kangaroos significantly better financial returns.

But the Saints managed only four wins last year, their worst win-loss ratio since 2000, and the anticipated fiscal resurrection didn't eventuate. The move back to Moorabbin lifted spirits, but not the bottom line.

In 2019, the St Kilda story – and that of Alan Richardson – will be written on the field.