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ROUND 6
St Kilda vs. Brisbane Lions - Dome
Saturday 1st May 2004 - 7:10PM (AEST)
Last played 7th June, 2003
Saints 13.12 (90) def Lions 13.7 (85)
Archive Saints vs Lions 2003
Match-ups - Saintsational Fan Forum Thread

Hudghton a chance, Penny a certainty
St Kilda's defence might be further bolstered before it meets the Lions, after coach Grant Thomas revealed Max Hudghton was a chance to slot straight into the senior side after recovering from a serious shoulder injury. It would be a daring move should the Saints select the experienced and courageous defender, before what is arguably their most testing game of the season to date. Thomas said Hudghton, who is yet to play a match this year, was a 'strong' chance to play for VFL side Springvale this weekend and a 'slight' chance to make the senior side. A 137-gamer, Hudghton would add valuable experience to the Saints back half when it meets the league's most powerful attacking combination in Alastair Lynch and Jonathan Brown.
The Article - Samantha Lane/Sportal - saints.com.au - 28Apr03
Thomas backs Milne - Samantha Lane/Sportal - saints.com.au - 28Apr03

Saints: we're not scared of Lions
Coach Grant Thomas made a vow yesterday that overruled one of his onballers: St Kilda won't be intimidated by the Brisbane Lions. Thomas said the unbeaten Saints retained respect rather than fear of the reigning AFL premier leading into Saturday night's clash at Telstra Dome. "We're not fearful of failure whatsoever," Thomas said. "We're excited about the challenge. We have a strong belief that we are good enough to win the game." Luke Ball said at St Kilda's recovery last Sunday morning that it would be difficult not to be intimidated, particularly with Brisbane's record and wealth of talent.
The Article - Bruce Matthews - HeraldSun - 29Apr03

Voss looks forward to a 'big one'
Brisbane Lions captain Michael Voss has labelled this Saturday' night's clash with ladder leader St.Kilda as a 'genuine big game'. "I can't remember a game, apart from a grand final, being talked up for four weeks on end," Voss said prior to training on Wednesday. "Since the start of the season it has been touted as the game to watch. It is a 'top of the table clash' and the ability for us to pull back one of the sides that is above us on the ladder." Voss adding that despite winning the last three premierships, only 2004 form matters.
The Article - Andrew Browne/Sportal - lions.com.au - 28Apr03

McGrath and McLaren out
Speedy AAPT Brisbane Lions utility Ash McGrath has been ruled out of Saturday night's monster clash with St Kilda at Telstra Dome with a fractured thumb. McGrath injured his thumb during last weekend's win over Hawthorn and had scans on his hand today . . . Ruckman Dylan McLaren will miss 4-6 weeks after his knee injury was confirmed as a medial ligament sprain today.
McGrath ruled out - lions.com.au - 27Apr03

Saints not so green
. . . But the question ahead of Saturday night's blockbuster is whether the Saints are really an inexperienced team. Well, on first glance it's easy to bill this Saturday's clash as the old champs against the young challengers. After all, the 22 players that represented Brisbane last week had played a total of 3126 AFL games at an average of 142 games per player. By contrast, the 22 players that represented St Kilda last week had played only 2013 AFL games at an average of 91.5 games. It means that on average the Brisbane players that will confront St Kilda in Melbourne on Saturday night will have played 50 more matches or have more than two years extra experience under their belts. But it is when you compare the Saints and the Lions man for man that you realise the common description of St Kilda being an inexperienced team, made of young early round draft picks who have become superstars, is a bit of a myth . . .
The Article - Paul Gough/Sportal - saints.com.au - 27Apr03

Lions wary of Saints midfield
While the focus for most sides preparing to play St.Kilda might be the potent forward line, Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews is not underestimating the importance of the Saints midfield and their defensive unit ahead of their huge clash on Saturday night at the Telstra Dome. "Their three big forwards Gehrig, Hamill and Riewoldt obviously and with Milne as a small - that's four really good quality core forwards," Matthews said when weighing up the Saints strengths at his regular Monday media briefing . . .
The Article - Andrew Browne - lions.com.au - 26Apr03

Austinn Jones says sorry, Aker
St Kilda's Austinn Jones last night defused the potential of a fiery confrontation with Jason Akermanis on Saturday night when he admitted error in sledging the Brownlow medallist last year. Jones said he regretted questioning the respect Brisbane Lions players had for Akermanis when he clashed with him at the end of last season's Round 11 match.
The Article - Damian Barrett - HeraldSun - 27Apr03

Saint's spray irks Lion
Brisbane midfielder Jason Akermanis has stoked the fires ahead of Saturday night's blockbuster with St Kilda, accusing a Saints player of verbally abusing him after the Lions' five-point loss to the Saints in round 11 last year. That game ended in controversial fashion when the siren sounded as an Akermanis pass was in mid-air on its way to unmarked Luke Power, whose mark was disallowed. As the St Kilda players celebrated, the Lions remonstrated with the umpires. Akermanis, famous for having his say, told Channel Seven last night that a Saints player, who he refused to name but is believed to be Austinn Jones, then ran from the bench and abused him. "He almost knocked me over and said I was not respected and not liked at my football club, as if he'd know. Then decided to call me a f--kwit," Akermanis said. "To behave like that is very disappointing and certainly not what I'd describe as sportsmanship."
The Article - Dan Oakes - TheAge - 27Apr03

A message from the St Kilda CEO
The St Kilda Football Club wish to inform that we have recently learned from the Victoria Police that no timings have been decided on of a decision, in relation to the recent allegations against Stephen Milne and Leigh Montagna. The St Kilda Football Club has always been cooperative and respectful of this legal process and as soon as the Club has been formally notified of the decision from Victoria Police, the Club will submit a statement and until then, no further comments will be made.
Brian Waldron
Chief Executive Officer
The Article - Brian Waldron CEO - saints.com.au - 27Apr03

Milne and Montagna face charges
Criminal charges are expected to be laid against St Kilda footballers Stephen Milne and Leigh Montagna within days. Milne is expected to face a sexual assault-related charge and Montagna a separate, lesser offence. Milne's lawyer, George Defteros, confirmed last night his client had been summoned to a second interview with detectives. But he said police gave no indication either player wouldbe charged. "It's important to state again, the players have done absolutely nothing wrong," Mr Defteros said.
The Article - Michael Warner - HeraldSun - 27Apr03

Saints keep the faith as charges loom
. . . He (GT) said he hadn't "heard anything official" but stressed the club would deal with any fallout as it had since the police investigation started on March 15. "Hopefully everyone will understand what it is and has been since day one, and that is, it's a very serious issue and a very sensitive issue for all parties involved," Thomas said. "We will continue to do everything we can do to help the process through. We've got a team to get on the park and a game to perform in and that's what I will lock them (the players) down on" . . .
The Article - Mark Robinson - HeraldSun - 27Apr03

Lions hungry for Saints' test
It's a classic sporting contest, pitting the dominant, proud champion against a youthful, talented challenger. The Brisbane Lions' wait to avenge last year's Round 11 loss to St Kilda at Telstra Dome ends on Saturday night when the AFL's premier club confronts the unbeaten Saints at the same venue. "We are at the stage where we are ready for a real test, a real contender, and they are definitely that," Lions utility Brad Scott said after the Lions' 48-point win over Hawthorn on Saturday night. "They are definitely the form team of March and April. They probably haven't played Port Adelaide or ourselves, one of the stronger teams from previous years. They got over the top of us at Telstra Dome last year, and I know a lot of guys have been looking forward to this game for months" . . .
The Article - Paul Malone - HeraldSun - 26Apr03

Ball says Lions will be tough
. . . "It's probably something I will have to start dealing with early in the week," he (Luke Ball) said. "It comes down to that belief, we've been playing well enough and once again we played pretty well against them last year. We will hopefully stand up to them." With both sides playing a physical brand of football, Ball said Saturday's match would not be for the faint-hearted. "That's why they are such a good side, they are the benchmark in everything and in physicality the most, so we will be expecting a very tough game," he said. "You have go to enjoy that physical contest and if you don't like it, you shouldn't be playing . . . they are going to come out really hard and we've got to withstand it, especially early." The Saints escaped from the win over the Kangaroos without any major injury concerns, and could regain defender Luke Penny. "Hopefully we get big Luke back this week to play on big (Alastair) Lynch," Ball said.
The Article - Peter Ker - TheAge - 26Apr03

Oh brother, he's quite a player
Brett (Voss) watched the Lions' first two grand finals on television from Brisbane. The first one was tough, wondering what might have been if he'd stayed. Last year he was in the crowd. Supporting his former teammates and dreaming that one day it would be him. It might be, too. He is an important member in a team throwing out a real challenge. Don't worry about the past three flags. St Kilda is the benchmark right now. The form team. But next Saturday night he'll go back to being that No.13 again. I'll be looking for him.
The Article - Michael Voss - TheAge - 25Apr04

Quality control from imports
. . . The Saints are much more than the monster created by the AFL and its socialist draft system . . . Fifteen of their 20 goals came from the boots of players who have been through the system with another club. Black (35 disposals, two goals) was best afield by some margin, icing the three votes when he trapped the ball deep in the forward pocket late in the game and cleared the goal-square pack by a bee's eyebrow for a goal . . . Gehrig (formerly West Coast) posted another four goals in his laconic way, despite a week off the training track. Milne (former Bomber) had two goals inside the first three minutes of the match, setting up St Kilda's first-quarter blitz, and finished the day with three. Across half-forward Aaron Hamill (ex-Carlton) and Brent Guerra (ex-Port Adelaide) were unfailingly hard at the football . . . In the middle, Trent Knobel (ex-Brisbane) had one of his best games for the Saints, getting first hands on the ball at a string of centre-bounces. At the fall of the ball, St Kilda had Stephen Powell (ex-Melbourne) accumulating 27 disposals. Down the back the erstwhile Brett Voss (ex-Brisbane) continued his outstanding 2004 season, mopping up when he could, spoiling when he needed to . . .
The Article - Martin Blake - TheAge - 25Apr04

History of Saints/Lions meetings

Port's loss is Saints' gain
At just 21, Brent Guerra is quickly becoming an important figure in the St Kilda line-up. An 'Inside Look' reveals how the 'Man-child' has gained notoriety with his heavy tackling and his booming left foot. Guerra has slotted in well into the senior side since returning to Victoria after four seasons with the Port Adelaide Power. Taken in the 1999 National AFL Draft, pick 28 overall, Brent had played 65 games and registered 39 goals. He was also a member of the 2001 and 2002 Pre-season premierships and gained some valuable finals experience. The fact that he was a regular feature in such a side, particularly the past two seasons, indicated his worth. Following the culling of the Port list at seasons end, St Kilda didn't hesitate in snapping up the half forward flanker by trading their 39th pick in the National Draft. Since then he has proven his value, performing well in the Wizard Home Loans Cup and was instrumental in the Grand Final against Geelong where he provided another key option up forward with four goals. Unfortunately his momentum was halted with a three-week suspension for a high charge on Cameron Ling.
The Article - Luca Giacobello - saints.com.au - 26Apr03

A chance to dream
Each year AFL coaches go into a season with a good understanding of the talent at their disposal. A bonus is when players step up a grade to even surprise the coach . . .
. . . Nick Dal Santo, St Kilda The just-turned 20-year-old was a first-round draft pick, which guaran-tees you have plenty of talent. Back in 2002, his first season in the big time, Dal Santo played 18 games in a team that won just five times. Nick Riewoldt won the club best-and-fairest and Dal Santo missed out on a top-10 placing. He looked over-weight and lackadaisical. The next year, the kid from Bendigo played just eight games. This season it is a new-look Dal Santo. Fit, lean and bold, we are being thrilled each week with his skill and poise . . .
The Article - TheAge - 27Apr04

AFL considers covering players' races
The AFL is considering putting a protective cover over the player races at Telstra Dome and banning spectators caught spitting at players and officials. Responding to the ugly crowd scenes that marred the weekend's Richmond-Adelaide match, the AFL football operations department yesterday discussed ways to protect players and officials from irate fans. AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said measures used by other football codes, including inflatable devices to separate players and officials from fans, were among those being considered. Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews called for clear plastic screens to be placed above the handrail overlooking the player races. "The shape of Telstra Dome, where supporters can hang over the railing, adds to the volatility of that environment," Matthews said.
The Article - Misha Ketchell - TheAge - 27Apr04

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