ST KILDA has not closed the door on a return to Junction Oval, with the club's board committed to locking in a future home base for the Saints this year.
Despite reports that St Kilda and the AFL had been told the Junction Oval project would not involve the Saints, CEO Matt Finnis was adamant a return to the club's former home remained an option.
The proposed joint project between cricket and football had been backed by the previous Victorian coalition government, but it is yet to be endorsed by new premier Daniel Andrews.
When asked if the door had been shut on St Kilda's return to Junction Oval, Finnis said: "I don't think it's fair to say that".
"I took some phone calls on the way here this morning from local stakeholder groups, who are very strong in their desire," the CEO said.
"Someone gave me a badge down at St Kilda on Saturday, which said, 'I want to bring the Saints home to the Junction'.
"There's a lot of good will behind those kind of projects, but in our job we can't be caught up in the emotion and the romance of these kinds of things.
"We've got to focus on making really smart decisions that secure the future of the footy club."
St Kilda, which relocated to its Seaford base ahead of the 2010 season, has also been active in a redevelopment of its former home at Moorabbin.
With three options on the table, including its existing home in the City of Frankston, Finnis said it was important for the club to lock in a future home this year.
"I've been pretty transparent and really clear about the fact that the narrative of uncertainty around what is home for the Saints hasn't helped us," he said.
"These are matters of significance in the much longer term, so you don't try and rush these kinds of outcomes. But it is a high priority for us."
Finnis said the club's old facilities at Moorabbin had been 'disrespected' and it was important for the club to play a role in their redevelopment.
When completed, the Moorabbin facility is expected to be home to a standalone St Kilda VFL team as well as the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup and local football leagues.
"That's going to develop a whole range of outcomes for community football and we've got to invest in that for St Kilda supporters as well," Finnis said.
"We were there last night and our players and our people they love it down there, but it's been disrespected.
"You look at the state of the facilities down there and they don't deserve to be in that condition when you consider the role Moorabbin has played in the history of this footy club.
"I think we've got an obligation to do more."
