Round 22 Pre-Game Articles
Freo in damage control
Fremantle coach Chris Connolly called for unity yesterday after admitting that his team's poor finish to the season had led to splinter groups forming at the port club. He said everyone was disappointed with the team's performance and last week's loss to West Coast was its worst game of the season. But everyone had to stick together. "One of the things that happens in an AFL environment because of the passion and emotions involved in games is that things start to splinter," he said. "All of a sudden, the program's not right or your match-ups weren't right, you're out-coached, a whole host of things come up. We're disappointed with where we're at at the moment, particularly given our good start. We need to have a look at all the things we do at the club to improve all aspects.
The Article - Craig O'Donoghue - WestAustralian - 26Aug04
St Kilda crisis as 'Kosi' hit by injury
The 'Kosi' curse has again struck St Kilda, with confirmation yesterday that Justin Koschitzke, the Saints' injury-prone match-winner, had ruptured a ligament in his foot and faced an uncertain involvement in this year's finals series. While the rest of the St Kilda squad went through its paces at training, Koschitzke was hobbling around the Moorabbin clubrooms on crutches. Coach Grant Thomas later revealed Koschitzke had ruptured his plantar fascia - the same injury which last season plagued team-mate Fraser Gehrig and Brisbane ruckman Clark Keating. Thomas was confident Koschitzke would play against Fremantle this Saturday night but conceded that if the 22-year-old failed to recover for this weekend, he was unlikely to improve before the start of the finals.
The Article - Chip Le Grand and Scott Coghlan - TheAustralian - 26Aug04
Big Night At Selection table - dockerland.com
Maguire and Milne the key - Saintsational Fan Forum
Saints battle injury problems
Unlucky Saint Justin Koschitzke has been struck down by a foot injury on the eve of the finals. The key-position player is struggling to shake off the effects of plantar fasciitis - the painful tendon problem that dogged Fraser Gehrig last year. The dislocated elbow that threatened to end his season has healed, but Koschitzke is now carefully managing the foot injury in a bid to be fit for Saturday's clash with Fremantle. "He is either in a moon boot or using crutches to keep the weight totally off it," St Kilda coach Grant Thomas said last night (Thursday).
The Article - Mark Stevens - HeraldSun - 26Aug04
Don't write off the Saints says Maxie
Veteran St Kilda defender Max Hudghton believes the Saints will still be serious premiership contenders next month despite slipping to third following last Sunday's mauling against reigning premiers Brisbane at the Gabba. The Saints are certain of the double chance with one round remaining but are unlikely to finish in the top two - and earn two home finals including home advantage in the first week of the finals - even if they beat Fremantle at Telstra Dome on Saturday night. Not only do the Saints need to beat a Dockers' side fighting for its place in the finals but they would need the second-placed Lions to lose to the Kangaroos in Brisbane if they are to claim second spot.
The Article - Paul Gough/Sportal - saints.com.au - 25Aug04
Krakouer won't be paid by me: McGuire
Television host Eddie McGuire yesterday rejected mounting criticism of the deal that will deliver him an exclusive interview with Jim Krakouer, denying the convicted drug dealer would receive any payment for his appearance on The Footy Show tomorrow. McGuire told The West Australian yesterday neither he, his company McGuire Media nor Channel 9 would pay for the interview. He also said they would not be employing Krakouer in any other role. But questions remain about who will be paying what to Krakouer, with McGuire revealing that former Essendon footballers Derek Kickett and Michael Long had been behind the push to find him work.
The Article - Sean Cowan, Katherine Fleming and Danielle Le Grand - WestAustralian - 25Aug04
Longmuir pleads to give all for Bell
In-form Fremantle ruckman Justin Longmuir said yesterday he was sick of mounting criticism against the Dockers and made an impassioned plea to his teammates for a last-ditch finals bid against St Kilda at Telstra Dome on Saturday night. Longmuir, who has been a shining light in a bleak streak where Fremantle has lost nine of its past 15 games, said he was desperate to earn an AFL finals position by beating the Saints in his 100th game. Fremantle's slide from grace after winning five of its first six games of the season has it on the brink of obscurity, its finals hopes resting on a big performance against the third-placed St Kilda.
The Article - Steve Butler - WestAustralian - 25Aug04
Reformed Saints march on with two musketeers
It is rightly said that St Kilda appears to be building a dynasty of some grandeur and substance. Third place on the ladder and a hot-to-touch fancy for the flag. The side is made up of some of the finest young footballers in the AFL and some of the most experienced and intimidating. It has been the work of a group of football enthusiasts, if not quite novices, who came together at the end of 2000 to restructure and reform the Saints who had finished last that season with two wins and no obvious future. Rod Butterss was president. Cocky but savvy and aware. How hard is it to run a $20 million business, he wondered out loud? Butterss appointed dual premiership coach Malcolm Blight as 2001 coach for $1 million and sacked him after 15 rounds. The club lost 18 games and too much money to ensure that it could remain part of the 16-club competition.
The Article - Patrick Smith - TheAustralian - 26Aug04
Place in the sun
. . . Do you see yourself becoming a midfielder like Matthew Pavlich?
Travis, Murrumbeena
NICK: I would love to become versatile enough to be able to hold down a position in the midfield from time to time. There are a number of areas I need plenty of improvement in before this can happen and I don't
like my chances of ousting the likes of Robert Harvey, Lenny Hayes, Luke Ball and Nick Dal Santo.
Is Luke Ball going to remain with the Saints?
Cassie, East Bentleigh
NICK: I certainly hope so. Luke has shown great improvement and maturity this year and I believe he is on his way to becoming one of the premier midfielders in the game. Couple this with a terrific attitude and he is extremely important to the Saints' future.
The Article - Nick Riewoldt/MX Newspaper - saints.aom.au
Thomas wants more from Milne
Stephen Milne's crumbing abilities would not have changed St Kilda's confidence-denting 45-point loss to premiers Brisbane Lions, Saints coach Grant Thomas said yesterday. Thomas said comments that the presence of Milne, who was overlooked for the match, would have made the difference were inappropriate because of his current form. He said there was no question about Milne's ability but he needed to improve the consistency of his performances. Veteran Saints defender Max Hudghton, however, said the Saints missed the crumbing abilities of a Milne or a Brent Guerra at the Gabba and, while it was the coach's decision, he thought the hole in the team's structure would be addressed for this weekend's clash against Fremantle. "I think we probably lacked a bit of crumbs on the weekend," Hudghton said. "You definitely need good crumbing forwards in your forward line because - let's face it - there are good defenders when you come to finals games and they get balls down to the ground so you need guys front and square."
The Article - Stathi Paxinos with Peter Blucher - TheAge - 26Aug04
Year not a failure: Connolly
Fremantle coach Chris Connolly says that finals aren't the only yardstick for success. The Dockers are in the eight at the moment, but they have a tough task ahead if they are to stay there. They play St Kilda at Telstra Dome on Saturday night, and the Saints have won their last 15 matches at the venue. Essendon, which is only half a percent behind, take on the Western Bulldogs. However, even a win won't guarantee September action for the team from the port, but Connolly said missing the final eight didn't mean the season would have been a failure.
The Article - Mic Cullen/Sportal - fremantlefc.com.au - 25Aug04
Freo faces fine for mix-up
Fremantle could be fined as much as $10,000 today after an embarrassing interchange bench mix-up before the start of Sunday's western derby. The AFL yesterday demanded an explanation for two unauthorised changes to Fremantle's bench which resulted in an angry challenge from Eagles officials before a ball was bounced in the derby. Aaron Sandilands and Scott Thornton were named on a four-man bench when the Dockers submitted their team list half an hour before the game.
The Article - Mark Duffield - WestAustralian - 24Aug04
Thomas backs Rendell in Hawk coaching bid
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has given his full endorsement of Saints assistant coach and football manager Matt Rendell for the Hawthorn senior coaching position. Thomas said it was a credit to Rendell, the former Fitzroy and Brisbane ruckman, that he was being considered for the number one position at Glenferrie. "I think it's a strong recognition of his time in football and what he's done and he's been a great asset for the St Kilda footy club, but I strongly encourage any of our staff to take up whatever opportunities are in front of them and we wish him all the best in that role," Thomas said. "Obviously we want to keep him and everything else and I think his fall back position is pretty good, because he knows that he's going to be with us."
The Article - Matt Burgan/Sportal - saints.com.au - 23Aug04
Saints CEO Waldron stands down
After five 'rewarding' years with St Kilda, club chief executive Brian Waldron is standing down. Waldron has said he's received a number of 'expressions of interest' in recent months and that given the state of discussions the club is having with several commercial partners, he believes it would be unfair to contemplate any offers without declaring his intentions. He has given the Saints six months notice. "I have been privileged to work with St Kilda president Rod Butterss and the board of directors. My relationship with this group has given me great enjoyment and I thank them for their support, direction and enthusiasm," Waldron said. Butterss said that the club's fortunes had improved dramatically under Waldron.
The Article - Sportal - saints.com.au - 27Aug04
Waldron to leave Saints
Brian Waldron, St Kilda's chief executive for the past three years and one of the principal architects of the club's renaissance, has decided to step down. Waldron signalled his intention to leave Moorabbin at a meeting of the board almost two weeks ago but with major sponsorship negotiations in train has agreed to remain until the end of the football financial year, October 31. It is believed that Waldron intends to step out of football after leaving the Saints and is considering several offers. He joined the club from the sports management group Elite Sports Properties and before that was a partner in the management consultancy firm of Waldron Cook. Waldron built a tight working relationship with president Rod Butterss and coach Grant Thomas and between them the trio has been rebuilding St Kilda both as a football team and a business. After working as football manager for two years, Waldron was appointed chief executive in October 2001, with the club poised to announce a loss of almost $3.7 million. Last year the Saints recorded a profit of $500,000 and expect to announce a profit of almost $1.4 million this year.
The Article - Stephen Rielly - TheAge - 26Aug04
Dockers weigh up role for Rohde
. . . Fremantle football director Steven Icke strongly denied reports he was considering leaving the club to return to Melbourne. Icke has been linked to possible positions at St Kilda and Hawthorn, which has also approached Broadbridge. "From my point of view, I haven't resigned and I haven't spoken to any other club about any other position," Icke said. The revelations come just a day after coach Chris Connolly called for unity and leadership from the club's senior figures.
The Article - Steve Butler & Mark Duffield - WestAustralian - 27Aug04
Krakouer may have AFL role
Fallen football star Jimmy Krakouer may be employed by the AFL following his release from jail on drug-trafficking charges. Krakouer, a star with North Melbourne in the 1980s, walked out of Karnet Prison Farm, south of Perth, on Tuesday after serving nine years of a 16-year term. AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said yesterday that Michael Long, a former Aboriginal Essendon star who works for the league, wanted to meet Krakouer but it was uncertain whether the AFL would employ him.
The Article - Stathi Paxinos - TheAge - 26Aug04
Krakouer breaks his silence - AAP - 7Sports - 26Aug04
Departing Frawley undecided about future - ABC Sport - 26Aug04
Saints weapon of mass destruction
With the strength of the Incredible Hulk and the speed of an Olympic sprinter, the versatile Fraser Gehrig has evolved into one the most dangerous and feared players in the competition. Originally from Wodonga, Gehrig was taken by the West Coast Eagles in the 1993 National AFL Draft with the 16th pick overall and made his debut in 1995. It was out west where his amazing speed and strength made him an instant standout amongst the AFL's young guns and was quickly touted as something special. Gehrig was known as a wingman early on under then coach Mick Malthouse but was also capable of playing up forward and in defence. He could quite easily burst out of packs with the ball tucked safely in his keeping and stream toward goal without even a shadow near him. Gehrig's efforts during his time at the Eagles saw him gain 1997 All-Australian selection as well as being the leading goalkicker of 1998 and many finals appearances. With the poor season in 2000, Gehrig decided to move on and return to Victoria after 115 games and 159 goals. His decision created great interest and saw many Victorian clubs bid for his services.
The Article - Luca Giacobello - saints.aom.au - 24Aug04
Lions best, but we'll improve: Thomas
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas is adamant the Brisbane Lions are the number one side in the AFL, adding that they remain the clear cut favourites to win its fourth consecutive premiership. In the wake of the Saints 45-point loss at the Gabba on Sunday, Thomas said he was in no doubt of what he thought of the Lions and their chances come September. "They're the best side in the competition. History proves that and performances prove that, so they would be absolutely favourites to win the flag without any shadow of a doubt. The rest of us are just challengers and that's where we see it at the moment," Thomas said at a St Kilda recovery session on Monday morning. Thomas also added that his team has a greater opportunity to develop its side even further than the Lions. "Make no mistake, we've got much more improvement in us that they've got in them, but we've got to actually take advantage of that improvement," Thomas said.
The Article - Matt Burgan/Sportal - saints.com.au - 23Aug04
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