2005 - AFL Home and Away Season
Round 17 - Results and Post-game Articles
St Kilda: 4.4, 9.8, 15.14, 21.17 (143)
Collingwood: 2.4, 3.6, 8.8, 10.10 (70)
Best - St Kilda: Koschitzke, Ball, Hayes, Milne, Thompson, Powell, Fisher, Guerra
Collingwood: Buckley, Davis, Woewodin, Wakelin, Shaw, Lockyer
Goals - St Kilda: Koschitzke 5, Milne 4, Guerra 4, Gehrig 3, Dal Santo, R.Clarke, Ball, Goddard, Hayes Collingwood: Tarrant 2, Davis 2, Lockyer, Maxwell, Burns, Lonie, Woewodin, Fanning
St Kilda Free 5; Play 8; Mark 8 - Collingwood Free 2; Play 2; Mark 6
Distance Of Goals: St Kilda 0-15m 3; 15-30m 3; 30-40m 2; 40+M 13
Collingwood 0-15m 0; 15-30m 1; 30-40m 4; 40+M 5
Hitouts: St Kilda 38, Collingwood 24
50m Penalties: St Kilda 1, Collingwood 1
Injuries - St Kilda: X.Clarke (Hamstring), Hudghton (Hip), Ackland (Leg)
Collingwood: Didak (Ankle), Rusling (Shoulder)
Changes - St Kilda: Nil
Collingwood: Prestigiacomo Replaced In The Selected Line Up By Iacobucci
Reports - Nil
Umpires - McBurney, Ryan, Woodcock
Crowd - 45,576 At Telstra Dome
Are we better than '04? - is so why? saintsational.com
Saints boosted by Max factor
St Kilda's imminent return of a glittering array of key-position stars was yesterday boosted by an improved injury report on Max Hudghton. The Saint full-back was injured as he threw his body head-long into a contest on Friday night and he was expected to miss a week with severe hip bruising. But Hudghton's date with Melbourne's David Neitz seems secure after he pulled up well overnight. He is expected to be joined by Nick Riewoldt, Aaron Hamill and Robert Harvey. All three declared themselves starters after Friday night's win over the Magpies. Luke Penny is also set to line up for Springvale today and could also return.
The Article Jon Ralph and Jackie Epstein/HeraldSun/24Jul05
Butterss' talks of pain
Rarely since the heady days of Joseph Gutnick's reign at Melbourne has a presidential speech threatened to overshadow the actual match. But last night at Telstra Dome, the words of St Kilda president Rod Butterss were as much anticipated as the game, which on paper offered little. Despite an injury list which continues to grow - and last night it was Xavier Clarke with another hamstring injury and Max Hudghton (hip) - the Saints continue to march towards the promised land, September and finals action. The match pitted an in-form St Kilda against a Collingwood side so woeful in the past two weeks its president read the riot act to the coaching staff and called in consultants. With the onfield contest not expected to provide the fireworks, the attention turned to the presidents. A fortnight ago, Butterss accused Magpie counterpart Eddie McGuire - albeit in his role as Footy Show host along with Sam Newman - of ambushing St Kilda coach Grant Thomas when Channel Nine turned up at a media conference . . . It was an impassioned, sometimes emotional speech in which Butterss weighed in strongly on the race debate, saying the comments had deeply affected all in the Aboriginal community including three St Kilda players, Xavier and Raphael Clarke, and Allan Murray.
The Article Karen Lyon/TheAge/23Jul05
Saints push Pies aside
. . . "Everyone's been putting in 100 per cent effort the last two weeks. Before the four wins in a row we had a few passengers, but in the last few weeks the 22 players have had an impact at some stage of the game, so that's probably the best thing that's come out of the last month," (Stephen) Milne said. In what was one of his most productive outings this year, Milne seemed to bounce off the ground a record number of times, dodge and manage to convert even when he looked in trouble. He finished with 4.4, including two posters, set up goals for a couple of his teammates, and gave opponent Tarkyn Lockyer a nightmare of a time. "I don't know, maybe it comes from chasing away the big bullies or something at high school," Milne said of his evasive techniques. "It's probably one good thing in my game. And if I keep doing that, keep kicking a few and keep setting up a few and the boys keep winning, I think Moorabbin's going to be a happy place in the next few weeks."
The Article Karen Lyon/TheAge/24Jul05
Thomas senses improvement
. . . "(But) I thought our use of the ball wasn't terrific and I thought we got a bit cute on occasions and chose wrong options and made it difficult for forwards sometimes" . . . "We obviously didn't kick straight - a lot of those shots that we had were very kickable - (but) we just kicked poorly" . . . "We're playing close to how we need to play and that's a good thing." In an ominous sign for the rest of the competition, Thomas signalled the return of star quartet Nick Riewoldt, Aaron Hamill, Robert Harvey and Luke Penny for next week's clash with Melbourne.
The Article Jason Phelan/AFL/saints.com.au/23Jul05
Injuries still plague Saints
. . . Shattered by injuries for much of the season, the Saints led by 38 points at halftime, rallied against a Collingwood charge in the third quarter, and closed out the match with six goals in the final quarter for a 73-point win. Saints coach Grant Thomas confirmed the dashing Clarke tore a hamstring in the first quarter and was likely to miss three matches, his second hamstring injury this season. Key backman Hudghton suffered a hip injury and is only an outside chance to play against Melbourne, and David Neitz, next weekend.
The Article Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/23Jul05
Injury jinx strikes Saints duo
. . . Saints' coach Grant Thomas was philosophical about their loss and while not ruling Hudghton out next week, said a replacement was waiting in the wings. "Max has got quite a severe bruise on his hip pointer, so we just need to see how that'll improve - hopefully that'll improve quickly and Xavier's done a hamstring obviously," Thomas said after the match. "Max isn't out at the moment, but it's obviously not looking great for him. Luke Penny plays for the Scorpions on the weekend, so hopefully he'll get through that well and perform positively and if he does he's a guy that can come into the side. Obviously Max, if he's not available, is a big loss because he's a key defender for us, but we'll just have to weigh that up during the week." The prognosis was not so optimistic for Clarke who looks set to be sidelined for at least three weeks.
The Article Jason Phelan/saints.com.au/23Jul05
Koschitzke stuns miserable Pies
No need to hurry back, skipper! That was the emphatic message hammered out by St Kilda's acting captain Justin Koschitzke last night. Really, why would the Saints put Nick Riewoldt's repaired shoulder at risk with the replacement leader's rich vein of form and the wealth of back-up talent? Koschitzke built on the solid form of the past three weeks with another polished leadership performance which helped set up a percentage-boosting victory against an inexperienced and wasteful Collingwood at Telstra Dome last night. Whether setting the Saints' onballers free at the centre bounce duels or drifting forward to take one-grab, contested marks, Kosi would again be in line for Brownlow votes from the thumping 73-point win. Taken at No. 2 behind Riewoldt in the 2000 draft, Koschitzke once again underlined that he loses nothing in any comparison with his Moorabbin mate, capping a brilliant night with five goals. It was significant the adaptable young Saint answered the call in what was probably his team's only moment of crisis late in the third quarter when the dogged Magpies edged to within 22 points.
The Article Bruce Matthews/TheAustralian/23Jul05
Finals form is 'close'
In what looms as an ominous warning for the rest of the competition, St Kilda coach Grant Thomas believes his team is only "close" to the effort the Saints demand of themselves approaching the finals. Despite last night's 73-point victory being the club's biggest win over the Magpies, Thomas found fault with aspects of the Saints' game. He praised his team's "effort at the footy and effort at the man" but he believes the Saints did not use the ball well, did not pick the right options or kick well. "We are playing close to how we need to play," Thomas said. Last night's victory was the team's fourth in a row, creating an opportunity to push into the top four. It is an extraordinary turnaround for the Saints, who a month ago were down on form and so riddled with injuries many had thought the pre-season premiership favourites would miss out on September action.
The Article Karen Lyon/TheAge/23Jul05
Saints win at a cost
St Kilda's drive towards September continues to gather momentum after the Saints registered their fourth successive win with a comprehensive 21.17 (143) to 10.10 (70) demolition of Collingwood at Telstra Dome on Friday night. The Pies trailed for most of the night and challenged briefly midway through the third term, but will surely again raise the ire of Mick Malthouse with a meek surrender in the last. The win came at a cost for the Saints, however, with Max Hudghton and Xavier Clarke both copping injuries and taking little part in the game. Stand-in St Kilda skipper Justin Koschitzke was again outstanding and set the tone for his team-mates with a commanding 18-possession, 10-mark, five-goal performance. Stephen Milne was lively up forward and should have finished with more than his four goals, while Luke Ball and Lenny Hayes were important through the middle with 32 and 26 disposals respectively.
The Article Jason Phelan/AFL/saints.com.au/22Jul05
Pies fans hit for six
It is a worry when you are thinking about the cricket scores more than the match unfolding in front of you. The numbers at Telstra Dome – 45,576 – suggested there was plenty of interest, but the game was predictable. A 10-12 goal margin was hardly a surprise given the standings of the teams' seasons. But the Saints were toying with the deflated Magpies and there could have easily been a gap of 15-plus goals . . . St Kilda coach Grant Thomas said a look at the club's best-and-fairest count would reveal a few unexpected names. One of those likely to be in the top six right now, according to Thomas, is unassuming defender Sam Fisher . . . If the Saints are learning to walk then the Magpies are learning to crawl. Right now the two teams are poles apart, but that is what most people would have predicted.
The Article Jackie Epstein/HeraldSun/24Jul05
Saints continue surge by belting cold Pies
The tall and the short of St Kilda's forward line have starred as the Saints hammered Collingwood by 73 points in their AFL clash at Docklands Stadium. Big man Justin Koschitzke kicked five goals and small forward Stephen Milne four - all in the first half - as St Kilda dismantled the struggling Magpies 21.17 (143) to 10.10 (70). At one point the Magpies kicked three straight goals in the third term to close to within 21 points, but the Saints replying by kicking seven unanswered majors to put the game to bed. Midfielder Brent Guerra also kicked four goals for the Saints and Fraser Gehrig three.
The Article ABCSport/22Jul05
Saints eye top-four finals berth
St Kilda continued to build its springboard for a top-four AFL assault, belting lowly Collingwood by 73 points tonight at Telstra Dome. The 21.17 (143) to 10.10 (70) win was a handy boost for the Saints' percentage, which is the best in the league outside top sides West Coast and Adelaide. The Saints were sixth before the start of round 17, only one game behind a group of three sides. While they face a solid draw leading up to the finals, they have just one interstate trip and that will be against erratic Fremantle. St Kilda onballers Luke Ball and Lenny Hayes were outstanding and ruck-forward Justin Koschitzke continued his purple patch of form with 10 marks and five goals. Stephen Milne and Brent Guerra also kicked four apiece for the Saints. But St Kilda's extensive injury woes this season continued tonight, with Xavier Clarke suffering a hamstring injury in the opening term.
The Article AAP/HeraldSun/22Jul05
Saints hit high gear as Pies sink to new low
The Saints play Melbourne and Geelong in the next two games. Two more wins would clinch a finals spot and confirm the men from Moorabbin as credible premiership contenders. After Collingwood's three in a row in the third term, the Saints steadied to extend their lead to 48 points at three-quarter time. Chris Tarrant moved better for Collingwood in the third term. After a goalless first half in which he looked hobbled by his knee problems, he rebounded with two goals, the second from a genuine lead and mark. He had covered plenty of ground and got a fair number of possessions. Until then, however, they had not come in areas that hurt St Kilda much. Leon Davis was the only other multiple goalkicker, with two of Collingwood's three to half-time. Time and again the ball went into the Magpies' forward 50 only to bounce straight out again.
The Article Len Johnson/TheAge/23Jul05
Pie delivery makes it easy for Saints
. . . Time and time again, the Pies fluffed it going inside 50. Like good sides do, the St Kilda made them pay a painful price. In the second term, Collingwood had 15 inside-50s for the measly reward of 1.2. The Saints - so much more direct, precise and confident - had just 13 entries in the same term for 5.4. Can you believe Mick Malthouse's team led the inside-50s 28-23 at halftime, yet somehow trailed by 38 points? Eventually, as the second half rolled on, they couldn't get it inside 50 at all. Yet the mistakes by foot mounted. Of the Pies' 198 kicks, 51 were classed as either ineffective
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/23Jul05
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