Archives

Round 1
BRISBANE LIONS: 4.1, 10.5, 14.5, 18.8 (116)
ST KILDA: 2.4, 6.6, 12.11, 13.15 (93)
Goals - Brisbane Lions: Brennan 4, Bradshaw 2, Keating 2, Akermanis 2, McGrath 2, Pike 2, Copeland, Voss, Lappin, Adcock
St Kilda: Riewoldt 3, Milne 3, Hamill 2, Harvey 2, Fiora, Ball, Thompson
Best - Brisbane Lions: Johnson, Voss, Power, Leppitsch, Macdonald, Brennan
St Kilda: Dal Santo, Hamill, Ackland, Ball, Thompson, Harvey
Injuries - Brisbane Lions: Johnson (thigh/two teeth out), Brennan (leg), Lappin (ankle)
St Kilda: Riewoldt (cracked collarbone)
Changes - St Kilda: Peckett replaced in selected side by Fisher
Umpires - McBurney, McLaren, Ryan
Crowd - 33,369 at the Gabba

Hamill cleared of striking
St Kilda forward Aaron Hamill has been cleared at the AFL Tribunal of striking Brisbane's Chris Scott during the third quarter of last Thursday night's round one clash at the Gabba. Hamill was reported by the AFL's match review panel for striking Scott in a much-publicised incident in which the former skipper appeared to catch the Lions defender with a backhander. Scott was alleged to have lost two teeth in the incident. But the Saint successfully argued at the tribunal that he didn't make contact with the Lion defender. The panel had assessed the incident as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), in play (one point) and high contact (two points). With a total of five activation points, it was a Level One offence drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match suspension. But due to a previous one-game suspension, his penalty was increased by 10 per cent to 137.5 points.
The Article Sportal/saints.com.au/29Mar05
Hamill Scott-free Dan Oakes/TheAge/30Mar05
Hamill cleared! Saintsational Fan Forum
Biting allegations dismissed Sportal/afl.com.au/31Mar05

AFL misses its chance
The Riewoldt affair has divided the football community in an unusual way, not between teams, nor states, nor generations, but between players and former players on one side, and the football public on the other. The playing fraternity - with notable exceptions - tends to the view that all is fair in love, war and football. Nick Riewoldt himself absolved the Lions of blame. The public is overwhelmingly inclined to think that the Lions' attack on an injured player - an attack mounted not in spite of his injury, but because of it - was contemptible and outside the spirit of so-called sporting competition. It is difficult to remember an act that has prompted such an appalled reaction, nor in return such a testy defence, most of which either is rooted in the past or wilfully has missed the point. Brisbane Lions captain Michael Voss wrote in The Sunday Age that the Brisbane pair could not have known how severely Riewoldt was hurt. But surely that obliged them to be even more careful, not excused them for being even more aggressive. For all they knew, they might have been driving broken ribs into Riewoldt's lung.
The Article Greg Baum/TheAge/30Mar05
Players warned over injury conduct Melissa Ryan/TheAge/30Mar05
AFL acts to protect injured players Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/30Mar05
Saints will not pursue bite allegation TheAge/30Mar05
Riewoldt's tears Tim Watson/TheAge/30Mar05

AFL lets Lions off hook
The AFL will take no action against Brisbane's Mal Michael and Chris Scott over their clash with injured St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt. The incident, in which the Lions pair each crashed into Riewoldt after he had broken his collarbone last Thursday night at the Gabba, has divided the football world. The AFL has ruled Michael and Scott were unaware of the seriousness of the injury; Riewoldt appeared willing to keep playing and the bumping did not aggravate it. But footy women disagreed yesterday, saying the incident was a black mark on the sport. Riewoldt, 22, had a plate inserted in the bone at the weekend and will miss up to six weeks.
The Article Sam Edmund/HeraldSun/29Mar05
Lions pair escapes charges Greg Denham/TheAustralian/29Mar05
AFL website takes king hit during first round Debbie Cuthbertson/TheAge/28Mar05

Hamill in the gun
St Kilda forward Aaron Hamill has emerged as the victim in a fateful aftermath of the Nick Riewoldt incident at the Gabba. Hamill must miss Sunday's game against Fremantle in Launceston unless he fights a striking charge at the AFL Tribunal tonight. The former Saints skipper, who remonstrated with Lions Chris Scott and Mal Michael shortly after Riewoldt broke his collarbone, was cited by the match review panel for striking Scott in the third quarter on Thursday night.
The Article Bruce Matthews/TheAge/29Mar05

The ugly face of football
. . . Those 'experts' who used to play football and who now ply a trade in the football media have been remarkably consistent in dismissing the incident as 'byplay', as something that 'has always happened'. These "experts" include Garry Lyon, Dermott Brereton, Robert Walls, Dwayne Russell and Michael Christian, who all seem to be exerting their own pressure on the AFL to slap Mal Michael and Chris Scott on the wrist with a fine. Many of these commentators have been endowed with powers of discernment, not because of their wisdom and accumulated knowledge but because they were once warriors on a playing field . . . Philip Callil (the writer) is a teacher and a lifetime supporter of St Kilda. Having played in the seconds and thirds there for a number of seasons and then continued in the amateurs and in country football, he has umpired for 10 years in the VAFA, albeit in the lower grades these days.
The Article Philip Callil/TheAge/29Mar05

Michael and Scott cleared on Riewoldt bumps
The AFL has sided with Brisbane pair Mal Michael and Chris Scott in the furious debate over the 'Riewoldt incident', clearing the pair of any wrongdoing. The AFL's match review panel today ruled the Lions defenders will not have to face the tribunal for their deliberate bumping of the injured shoulder of St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt in last Thursday's season opener . . . Michael and Scott's relief was offset by news that Lions ruckman Jamie Charman has been reported for charging Riewoldt in an incident just minutes before the much-publicised clash.
The Article Chris Lines/AAP/HeraldSun/28Mar05
Riewoldt's family happy drama is over Melissa Ryan/TheAge/29Mar05

Matthews re-ignites feud with McGuire
Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews has launched a scathing attack on sections of the media - including Channel Nine commentator and Collingwood president Eddie McGuire - for their roles in "escalating" the Nick Riewoldt saga. Matthews today produced the latest sharp jab in a simmering feud between the pair by claiming McGuire was trying to "set his own agenda" while commentating.
The Article Dave Donaghy/AAP/HeraldSun/28Mar05

Skipper's absence will spur the Saints
A combination of a spiteful incident targeting a young ball-playing hero - and there were several spiteful incidents at the Gabba three nights ago - a wonderful game, and a 24-hour football-free break before the next match has meant the Riewoldt incident has dominated the Easter break in the manner the player himself will not do in any real sense for at least a month . . . Yesterday, Riewoldt's mother Fiona was visiting her son in hospital in Melbourne when a photographer was spotted climbing a fire escape to obtain a family snap . . . Whatever you think of the actions of Mal Michael and Chris Scott, the truth for St Kilda is Riewoldt's collarbone was already broken and the attack upon its captain has given the club untold motivation for the return bout . . . Also on the positive side is the reality Luke Ball now looms as an ideal stand-in as captain while St Kilda ponders the real issues emerging from Thursday night's loss . . . The significant concern for St Kilda is that the club regarded as having a team of emerging superstars ran out of legs against the so-called ageing warrior. While Fraser Gehrig's back injury was always going to place him in a cameo role, he was one of 14 St Kilda players who cramped during the game. Half of those - including Ball, Nick Dal Santo, Steven Baker and Justin Koschitzke - suffered extreme cramps and were forced off the ground several times.
The Article Caroline Wilson/TheAge/27Mar05

Lions feel AFL heat
Pressure to cite Brisbane's Mal Michael and Chris Scott has increased, with clubs being told two weeks ago of a crackdown on interfering with injured players. The AFL's match review panel will today determine the fate of the Brisbane duo, who sparked anger for their bumping of St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt, carrying a damaged shoulder, on Thursday at the Gabba. The outcome of its deliberations, which will factor in the warnings of an AFL football operations department-distributed memo, will be released this afternoon (Monday 28Mar05).
The Article Jon Ralph/FoxFooty/28Mar05
Saints too slow to act: Thomas Julia Medew & Dan Oakes/TheAge/27Mar05
Riewoldt injury linked to surface Samantha Lane/Sportal/TheAge/27Mar05
No hard feelings: Riewoldt Paul Gough/Sportal/TheAge/27Mar05

Nick knock a bumper row
Nick Riewoldt had wanted to spend Easter with his family. The plan was to lead St Kilda to victory against the Lions at the Gabba - his first game as captain - meet his family at the team hotel, drive down the coast and spend a few precious days away from the football fishbowl . . . "I have got plenty of thoughts but I will reserve my thoughts," St Kilda coach Grant Thomas said. "I don't think we would probably do anything." . . . The Australian understands Riewoldt was upset by his treatment, particularly at the hands of Michael, his Australian team-mate on last year's tour of Ireland . . . "He loves St Kilda and he loves his team-mates," Thomas said. "He loves them desperately. He plays with a lot of passion and that is why he is as good as he is" . . . Twice in two meetings, the Saints have come to Brisbane unable to match the Lions physically and mentally for a full game. With Jones starting forward and Justin Peckett a late withdrawal with a gastro complaint, the St Kilda defence was rendered without run. With Fraser Gehrig unable to touch his toes - much less regain his touch following a pre-season restricted by back injury - the forward line never quite clicked into gear. With one third of the team cramping by the final quarter, Thomas will ask questions of the Saints' conditioning. "I will be having a very deep discussion with training services and finding out just why we didn't have any resources at different times," Thomas said. "The guys worked really hard to get back in the game and all of a sudden we had nothing to throw at Brisbane."
The Article Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/26Mar05

Nick 'fair game'
. . . (Nick) Riewoldt had successful surgery at Vimy House in Kew on his right collarbone yesterday and will be missing until at least Round 6. St Kilda ruled out chief executive Jim Watts referring the incident to the AFL's match review panel under new guidelines. The AFL could charge Michael and Scott with several offences, from rough conduct to misconduct, that would be referred directly to the tribunal. St Kilda president Rod Butterss said the club would seek to move on from the incident and would not get involved in the process. "We think the system is in place and it will perform its function," he said. "Our focus is on next week and that is very genuine." Coach Grant Thomas said he was unsure whether Michael and Scott would face the tribunal.
The Article Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/27Mar05
Milne rallies troops HeraldSun/27Mar05

Friends help lift Riewoldt
A recovering Nick Riewoldt was kept in good spirits yesterday by many visitors to his room at Vimy House in Kew. After successful surgery to insert a plate in his right collarbone, family and friends said Riewoldt was feeling well. Coach Grant Thomas arrived soon after 1pm and emerged half an hour later. "It all went well, he's going to be four or five weeks," Thomas said. At 2pm Fraser Gehrig and Stephen Milne arrived with Milne's young son. When they left 20 minutes later Justin Koschitzke took over as bedside company. Luke Ball, the likely captain in Riewoldt's absence, turned up with Stephen Powell at 2.40pm. Half an hour later the trio came out saying Riewoldt was positive and recovering well.
The Article HeraldSun/27Mar05

Lions kill the spirit of the game
The Brisbane Lions hit and hurt a man when he was down. That is unacceptable even in boxing, which is all about hitting to hurt. In football, where the hitting and hurting supposedly is no more than a means to an end, it is an outrage. If it is not acted upon as one, then football has progressed nowhere in 15 years. He was a good man, too, and that was the point. Mal Michael and Chris Scott scarcely would have bothered if it was Sam Fisher or Cain Ackland. They might not have dared if it was Barry Hall. Nick Riewoldt had hurt himself; everyone could see it. He was holding his arm to his side in the manner of a man feeling pain. Michael was behind him, and might not have been able to see the grimace on Riewoldt's face, but he could not have failed to to see that he was defenceless. Michael bumped him twice.
The Article Greg Baum/TheAge/26Mar05
E-mail to AFL and news outlets BackFromUSA/Saintsational Fan Forum

Nick to miss at least four
St Kilda must plan at least the next four matches without its skipper Nick Riewoldt, according to one of sport's leading medical officers. But a brighter prognosis from Dr Peter Larkins is that Riewoldt's renowned marking prowess won't be affected once the blond Saint returns. "The expectations are that it will be pretty uncomplicated with a plate and screws going into the broken collarbone. Plenty of players have had that injury, so we've got a fair idea on what the normal recovery is," Larkins said. "You never play earlier than four weeks with those, so that's the best-case scenario and around six weeks is average."
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/26Mar05
Mum, Dad share Riewoldt's agony Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/26Mar05
Riewoldt out for a month Dave Donaghy/FoxFooty/25Mar05
Drama is a hit in Lions' re-run Martin Flanagan/TheAge/26Mar05
Robert Walls argues Mal Michael and Chris Scott should not be charged
Fair or foul? Robert Walls/TheAge/26Mar05

Precedent to Lions' attack
If the AFL hasn't changed its mindset since an incident involving Steve Kretiuk and Matthew Lloyd in 2002, Lions Mal Michael and Chris Scott have plenty to sweat about. Former Bulldog Kretiuk made headlines when he appeared to knock and squeeze Bomber Matthew Lloyd's heavily protected right hand. He escaped a visit to the tribunal . . . but only just.
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/26Mar05
Lethal dismissive Darren Cartwright/HeraldSun/26Mar05
Uproar will do more than league's reaction Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/26Mar05
Lions defend rugged tactics Peter Blucher and Lyall Johnson/TheAge/26Mar05

Thomas fuming over 'hard' Gabba
. . . "It had a bit of impact on Nick's shoulder. It was damn hard," Thomas replied when asked if the ground had affected the game. "Once again, the AFL have signed off on the ground and said it was suitable, so we do what the AFL tells us to do. The players all felt it was very hard and umpires felt it was very hard, as well. I see Nick Riewoldt fly for those marks every second week and have no damage. So whether it was the ground or whether it was a freak accident, that's something that probably needs to be investigated" . . . Any chance of a Saints' win disappeared in the final quarter when several players cramped. Thomas said that at one stage there were three Saints receiving treatment on the sidelines while another three on the ground were in need of attention.
The Article Dan Oakes/TheAge/26Mar05

Gabba too hard
St Kilda was yesterday clearly frustrated by the hardness of the Gabba surface, raising the possibility it could have been a factor in Nick Riewoldt's injury. Riewoldt crashed to the turf in an attempt to take a diving chest mark in the third term and writhed in agony as his collarbone snapped. "I've seen Nick Riewoldt fly for those marks every second week and he's had no damage," St Kilda coach Grant Thomas said yesterday. he grass at the ground was significantly shorter than usual as the season-opener was played just four days after the Pura Cup cricket final. "It was damn hard," Thomas said. "The players all felt it was very hard and the umpires felt it was very hard."
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/26Mar05

Horror night for Saints
St kilda's 23-point loss to the Brisbane Lions may have come at an enormous cost, with skipper Nick Riewoldt facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Riewoldt was forced from the Gabba midway through the third term on Thursday night with a shoulder injury and judging by his tears when he emerged from the rooms in the final quarter, he could miss several weeks. In a worst-case scenario, if Riewoldt has cracked his collarbone, and a plate needs to be inserted, he could be out for up to eight weeks. Riewoldt jarred his shoulder in a collision with Jamie Charman and then damaged it further when he spilled a diving chest mark. Just to ensure it was an injury to remember, Brisbane's Chris Scott and then Mal Michael cannoned into him. It was an extraordinary show of gamesmanship that looked more like a tag-team wrestling match than a game of football. The showdown between the superpower of the early 21st century and the emerging superforce was everything it was tipped to be - a sensational contest.
The Article Peter Blucher/TheAge/25Mar05
Lethal Lions expose one-man Saints Darren Cartwright/HeraldSun/25Mar05

Saints edged by Lions
A bold third-quarter revival by St Kilda proved just short of what was required as the Brisbane Lions won a fiercely-fought, often spiteful and always thrilling AFL season-opener by 23 points - 18.8 (116) to 13.15 (93) - in front of a near-sell-out crowd of 33,369 at the Gabba on Thursday night. The Saints' loss was soured by the third-quarter exit of captain/centre half-forward Nick Riewoldt with a right shoulder injury that is likely to keep him out of football for some weeks. Early reports suggested he had a cracked collarbone, which could sideline the young superstar for four to eight weeks. Riewoldt, captaining the Saints for the first time, was in tears as he sat on the bench with his right arm in a sling under a tracksuit top throughout the last quarter
The Article Alan Shiell/AFL/saints.com.au/24Mar05

Riewoldt agony as Saints downed
. . . victory came after the Lions withstood a torrid fightback in the third term when the Saints momentarily hit the front after trailing by 23 points at halftime. But St Kilda's fightback came to an abrupt halt when Riewoldt injured himself after attempting a diving mark. He was in tears at three-quarter time as he jogged from the team huddle, and did not take any further part in the match. Brisbane, too, came out of the match with a serious injury when top playmaker Nigel Lappin appeared to reinjure his right ankle after a marking contest. St Kilda tried to redeem itself in the third quarter, throwing everything at the Lions.
The Article HeraldSun/25Mar05

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