ST KILDA president Rod Butterss claimed last night that the lingering influence of Grant Thomas at Moorabbin has been akin to a "virus" that needed to be "flushed out".

After earlier in the day accusing Thomas of undermining the Saints in the nine months since his sacking, Butterss later described his attack as an attempt to finally rid the club of the former coach.

"He left me, as the club's most senior representative, with absolutely no choice. I'm disappointed but I felt it was the only option, to flush the virus out. I'm not pleased about the events of today but something had to be done," Butterss said last night.

"Something had to be done to get him out of the back lane, out of the whispering and the texting. Only time will tell whether I've achieved that."

Thomas, who issued a brief response to the effect that he did not understand or agree with the accusations levelled against him, was understood to be considering his legal position last night.

"I refute the implications, whatever they are," said Thomas, who was replaced as coach by Ross Lyon last October.

"I've committed the last seven years of my life to St Kilda and I've always ensured their best interests are protected. Any personal issues between myself and Rod Butterss need to remain private and I can assure you they won't be conducted in the media by me."

While the Thomas statement implied that the accusations may stem from the very public personal falling out between he and Butterss — the president has taken action in the Supreme Court to recover more than $1.1 million he claims he is owed by Thomas — it has emerged that the Saints are withholding the last $100,000 of a termination pay-out to their former coach of five-and-a-half seasons.

It is understood that Thomas was entitled to an exit payment but that the club agreed to a higher pay-out, believed to be between $250,000-$275,000, on the condition that he refrained from discussing the inner workings of the club or interfering in its affairs. The club believes he has breached those conditions, although it would not specify how yesterday.

"I don't want to put it on the table in terms of the actual activity," Butterss said on Melbourne radio station SEN yesterday morning.

"There's plenty of activity going on in the background that is less than helpful to the St Kilda Football Club, way less than helpful. I'd say to Grant Thomas publicly 'mate, give us a break, you had your go, now move on and do it with grace please.' "

It is understood, however, that the Saints believe Thomas has been making contact with the manager of several St Kilda players and seeking information about their contract negotiations. Thomas is believed to have explained his recent contact with Ricky Nixon, manager of Nick Riewoldt, Nick Dal Santo, Jason Gram, Max Hudghton and the Clarke brothers, Xavier and Raphael, among others, as dealings over a business venture they are contemplating.

It is also understood that the Saints believe Thomas has been persistently inviting players to drink with him. Several players, they believe, were recently called at night by Thomas from a suburban hotel, an invitation that is understood to have been relayed to Lyon. The matter then got back to Butterss.

"He places them in an awfully difficult position, one where they feel guilty about not joining him," one source said.

Lyon said yesterday that he had no problem with his players keeping in contact with his predecessor, or anyone else, but that they had to be mindful of their duty to St Kilda.

"I was asked about Grant Thomas earlier in the year and all I've said to my playing group is you can have contact with anyone you like in the world as long as you respect the confidentiality of our club, our playing group and our leadership — that's fine," Lyon said.

Meanwhile, Riewoldt yesterday indicated he would be staying out of the conflict between Butterss and Thomas.

"Nick is quite adamant that he doesn't want to get involved in any of it and neither do I, and it's not going to have any bearing on (contract) discussions," Nixon said. He said would put a contract proposal for Riewoldt to St Kilda later this week.