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2004 DRAFT - page 1

GO TO: 2004 Rookie Selections All teams

Knobel now a Tiger
Richmond has chosen former St Kilda ruckman Trent Knobel with the first pick at Tuesday's National Bank's AFL Pre-Season Draft. Knobel had been training with Carlton since being delisted by the Saints, but the Tigers swooped on him first in a bid for more ruck support for Greg Stafford and Troy Simmonds.
The Article - Paul Gough/Sportal - saints.com.au - 14Dec04
Pre-season draft preview - Matt Burgan/Sportal - saints.com.au
Tigers take 2 in draft - Sportal
Pre-season draft - HeraldSun - 12Dec04
Seven WA rookies taken - footy Goss - 14Dec04
Fast Eddie now a Saint - Darren Cartwright - HeraldSun - 15Dec04

John Beveridge Transcript
ritchie: Why did you pick Cain Ackland?
john_beveridge: We needed a replacement for Trent Knobel. We did a lot of research . . . he's only 22 . . . we didn't want an older ruckman . . . he can go forward. All round he's worthy of pick 33
john_beveridge: It was a thin draft to be honest so Ackland and McGough were worthy additions.
The Transcript - saints.com.au - 24Nov04
Saints in Suits Corporate Golf Challenge - saints.com.au - 25Nov04
Media wars set to cost AFL $7.5m - Caroline Wilson - TheAge - 25Nov04
Western Bulldogs must go east - Brian Clarke - afc.com.au
Australian Football - 100yr plan - Stephen Alomes - afc.com.au

The draft that had it all
Whatever the future holds for the four players chosen by St Kilda, rarely can there have been such a high degree of interest in the club's selections from the nation's finest pool of young talent. In recent years the Saints have generated more than their fair share of headlines at draft time, but on this occasion it wasn't because they had acquired the country's most highly rated teenager.
The Article - John Murray/AFL Record - saints.com.au - 24Nov04

Saints reject top-up claims
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has rejected suggestions the club has swung into top-up mode in preparation for an assault on the 2005 flag. Thomas said the Saints would have drafted recycled players Cain Ackland and Mark McGough even if the club had finished on the lower reaches of the ladder. The Saints, just a goal short of a Grand Final appearance last season, believed Ackland and McGough were the best players available at picks 33 and 49. "The same decision would've been made in any one of the past three years I've been here," Thomas said. "The process of taking the best available player is foolproof. It is something you don't flirt with." Although McGough could add instant grunt to the midfield and Ackland step straight into a ruck role, Thomas is adamant the picks were not made on a needs basis.
The Article - Mark Stevens - HeraldSun - 22Nov04

Saints land draft smoky
St Kilda has pulled off one of the shocks of the 2004 national draft by drafting an 18-year-old straight out of suburban football into the big time of the AFL. The Saints used their fourth round draft pick in Saturday's national draft on James Gwilt, who did not come through the traditional pathway in Victoria of the TAC Cup under 18 competition and instead successfully plied his trade in Melbourne's toughest senior suburban competition - the Eastern Football League. Gwilt, a left-footed midfielder, won the medal for best on the ground in the grand final in the EFL this year for Noble Park against East Burwood - a club coached by former Richmond star Paul Broderick and the club from where Trent Hotton was successfully drafted by Carlton in 1999. St Kilda recruiting manager John Beveridge said the decision to draft Gwilt was a risk but one he was confident would pay off. "The reason he hasn't been in the (TAC Cup) system is because cricket has always interfered with his pre-season," Beveridge said.
The Article - Paul Gough/Sportal - saints.com.au - 20Nov04
Surprise Saint hit for six by selection - Jackie Epsteim - HeraldSun - 21Nov04
Saints, Hawks spring surprises - Jake Niall - TheAge - 21Nov04

Grant Thomas in Potch (Audio)
Hear Grant Thomas Answer questions relating to the Potchefstroom training camp and St Kilda's outcome of the 2005 Draft.
Grant Thomas - www.sport927.com.au - 22Nov04

Wiseby on McGough
. . . MCG (McGough) is deemed by many to have had a disappointing season this year yet still got 4 Brownlow votes (and equivalent media "votes" in those games). And that is despite limited games (12?) and limited game time in '04. I am pragmatic . . . It sounds like you are asking me to declare MCG (McGough) a failure. If so, it would be absurd for me to deem MCG (McGough) a failure - especially as a mere 20yo and with his Brownlow (and corresponding media "votes") record. List for me even 20 kids in the past decade who have accumulated 12 Brownlow votes by 20 year old and I might reassess my position. And before anyone points out that Brownlow votes in a particular game can sometimes be misleading, I challenge you to point out any games in which MCG (McGough) got Brownlow votes but didn't get in the best from the media in those same games . . .
The Post - Devilhead - Saintsational
Who is Colin Wiseby???

McGough, Ackland 2nd chance
St Kilda, which finished a kick away from an AFL grand final berth in 2004, today topped up a list brimming with young talent with two ready-made players. The Saints, beaten by six points by eventual premier Port Adelaide in the first preliminary final, selected former Collingwood midfielder Mark McGough and ex-Port Adelaide ruckman Cain Ackland at today's national draft with pick numbers 49 and 33 respectively. Still just 20, McGough showed enough in 37 games with the Magpies in three seasons that he could get the ball and perform on big occasions, most notably in two Anzac Day games when he was his side's best against Essendon. Although his lack of pace and occasional poor kicking skills have let him down, St Kilda recruiting manager John Beveridge said McGough would complement a midfield that lost Heath Black to Fremantle during the trade period. "He gets hung a bit because people think he's not quick enough, but he's about six foot two and he's a terrific kid and I know Collingwood really rated him as a person so we're very happy," Beveridge said.
The Article - AAP - TheAge - 20Nov04
How Sainters rate MCG(ough) - Saintsational
Cain Ackland Etc - Saintsational
McGough wins second chance - Peter Ker - TheAge - 21Nov04
Saint hit for six - Jackie Epstein - TheAustralian - 22Nov04

Current St Kilda Player Contracts - speculated
Saints players - Projected weights 2005

Saints give McGough, Ackland another chance
St Kilda, which finished a kick away from an AFL grand final berth in 2004, today topped up a list brimming with young talent with two ready-made players. The Saints, beaten by six points by eventual premier Port Adelaide in the first preliminary final, selected former Collingwood midfielder Mark McGough and ex-Port Adelaide ruckman Cain Ackland at today's national draft with pick numbers 49 and 33 respectively. Still just 20, McGough showed enough in 37 games with the Magpies in three seasons that he could get the ball and perform on big occasions, most notably in two Anzac Day games when he was his side's best against Essendon. Although his lack of pace and occasional poor kicking skills have let him down, St Kilda recruiting manager John Beveridge said McGough would complement a midfield that lost Heath Black to Fremantle during the trade period.
The Article - Adam Cooper - HeraldSun - 20Nov04

St Kilda considering ex-Magpie McGough
St Kilda has expressed interest in former Collingwood midfielder Mark McGough, who was delisted by the Magpies last week. St Kilda recruiting manager John Beveridge last night confirmed that the Saints had been in contact with McGough's management and that the stocky stoppage specialist was in the mix to be selected in either the national or pre-season drafts. "It's certainly fair to say there's some interest," Beveridge said. "We haven't discussed it in detail whether or not we might draft him." McGough's chances of joining the Saints may hinge on whether they decide they need another seasoned ruckman . . . The Saints view McGough as an inside midfielder who might bolster their ranks, given that Robert Harvey, Andrew Thompson and Stephen Powell are all nearing the end of their careers.
The Article - Jake Niall - TheAge - 10Nov04

Carlton: Knobel's likely home
Carlton is the likely destination for former St Kilda ruckman Trent Knobel, who is keen to join the Blues via next month's pre-season draft. While Richmond had expressed early interest in Knobel, the Tigers have dropped off the chase and are looking at other pre-season draft options, such as uncontracted Fremantle defender Antoni Grover, or even the best remaining untried talent. To get to Carlton via the pre-season draft, Knobel must get past five clubs - Richmond, Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs, Collingwood and Adelaide.
The Article - Jake Niall - TheAge - 16Nov04
Blues eye Knobel prize - Sportal - 16Nov04

Thomas draft dodger
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas will be sitting up beyond midnight in a Potchefstroom villa when the national draft kicks off on Saturday week. The draft is four days after the Saints arrive for their 10-day South African training camp and Thomas is happy to leave the responsibility with recruiting manager John Beveridge. "It's another indication in the faith and empowerment of our people at the club to do the job," Thomas said. "This is about selection and the less coaches are involved in that the better. What recruiting managers are paid for is to select the players. We don't ask them to coach and they shouldn't ask us to select players."
The Article - Mark Stevens - HeraldSun - 12Nov04
Thomas to miss draft, coaches meeting - Samantha Lane/Sportal - saints.com.au - 11Nov04

Knobel prize pick-up
Having missed on Troy Simmonds, Carlton is considering adding Trent Knobel to its ruck stocks for next year. Knobel has walked out on St Kilda and could be removed from the Saints' list as early as tomorrow. One of four ruckmen to leave AFL clubs since the end of the season, Knobel has attracted the interest of at least two Victorian clubs. Carlton was keen to add Simmonds to its list, but missed when Richmond made a lucrative offer.
The Article - Damian Barrett - HeraldSun - 10Nov04

Blake remains a Saint
St Kilda's Jason Blake has re-signed with the club for a further two seasons, the club announced on Wednesday. Blake, who played 16 home-and-away matches and the Saints' three September finals in 2004, has been re-contracted until 2006. The 23-year-old missed a month of footy courtesy of a back injury suffered against Richmond when Greg Stafford clattered into his back. In a statement, Blake said he was keen to help the club improve on its preliminary final finish in 2004. "I am excited to be have re-signed with the St Kilda Football Club and look forward to a successful season in 2005 and being part of close-knit and valuable team." Coach Grant Thomas also enthused about the Blake's value to the team. "He personifies the type of attitude we think is necessary to be successful. Courage, determination, work ethic and selflessness are his key attributes and he displays himself as a terrific role model with his teammates," Thomas said.
The Article - Sportal - saints.com.au - 03Nov04
Saints sign up Blake - Damian Barrett - HeraldSun - 04Nov04
Blake: Future with Saints - Stephen Rielly - TheAge - 04Nov04
Blake sticks with Saints - Sportal - 03Nov04
Blake/Knobel - Player Compare - Final Siren
How the lists stand - Sportal - saints.com.au - 05Nov04

Exit ire for Trent
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has directed a parting shot at ruckman Trent Knobel, accusing him of putting his own interests above team aspirations. Knobel will nominate for the pre-season draft after failing to gain an acceptable contract but, according to Thomas, it is no great loss. He said he was not interested in contacting Knobel to persuade him to stay with the Saints. "I haven't tried to ring Trent. You don't get much more of an opportunity than the St Kildas and Geelongs and Fremantles and West Coasts," he said.
The Article - John Ralph - HeraldSun - 07Nov04

The Ruck Issue
statsman: Kosi is shaping up as our number one ruckman and should be able to do the job if he stays injury free . . . However the concern is that our only other recognised ruckman is Brooks and he's very much a "development project" at this stage in his career.. We've got a few other candidates like Blake and Stone but they're just stop gap measures and can't really be called upon to shoulder the ruck duties in what we hope is a premiership side . . .
Nothing in the Pre-Season Draft - Saintsational

Saints promote tall pair
St Kilda has promoted both of its 2004 rookie list players Nick Stone and Dylan Pfitzner (pronounced fitsner - silent P) to its senior list for 2005. The duo's elevation comes at a time when the future of Trent Knobel and Jason Blake, two of the club's key talls, remains up in the air, as both players are out-of-contract and being wooed by rival AFL clubs. Stone and Pfitzner are 196cm and have now become significant additions, in terms of adding height to the club's list. Aside from Knobel at 202cm, only developing 20-year-old ruckman Barry Brooks (198cm) and versatile tall Justin Koschitzke (197cm) are taller.
The Article - Matt Burgan/Sportal - saints.com.au - 29Oct04
The delisting game - Lyall Johnson - TheAge - 30Oct04

Rucks no worry: Thomas
. . . Speculation is mounting that last season's preliminary finallists are trying to lure Lions ruckman Clark Keating, which Thomas has denied while admitting he was still unsure about Knobel's reasons for quitting the club. "He had an opportunity with us to be part of a successful side, but he obviously feels there will be better opportunities elsewhere," Thomas said.
The Article - Footy Goss - 31Oct04
The Article - Jackie Epstein - HeraldSun - 31Oct04



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