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2005 - AFL Home and Away Season

Round 20 - Pregame Articles

All 2005 Articles

Round 20 - Heritage Round
Kangaroos vs. St Kilda
Telstra Dome Saturday 13 August 2005, 2:10pm AEST

Hamill-Archer in duel of the Titans
Aaron Hamill admits he's been thinking about it this week, and Glenn Archer undoubtedly has as well. Two of the toughest players in the AFL tend to butt heads when the Kangaroos meet St Kilda, as they are due to do at the Docklands this afternoon, and that individual duel is potentially the league's equivalent of the Thriller in Manila. They crossed paths earlier this season for at least part of the game when the Roos jumped over St Kilda in a thrilling finish, with Hamill rating the contest "about even". Whether it happens again today depends on Kangaroos' coach Dean Laidley and his recent penchant for popping Archer, one of history's great half-backs, into the midfield as a barging ram for the stoppages. If Archer is in the middle, it would be left to, say, Leigh Colbert to take Hamill. Both are in superb form, Hamill coming off a stellar return to the St Kilda team against Geelong last week where he booted four goals and was best afield. "He (Archer) has been playing a fair bit in the midfield," said Hamill yesterday. "He starts in the clearances a fair bit. Whether (Adam) Simpson plays or not and they need another hard body in there or not, and whether he goes in there or not is something we've thrown up."
The Article Martin Blake/TheAge/13Aug05
Archer v Hamill doubt Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/13Aug05

Roos a good test: Hamill
The Kangaroos regard flag favourite St Kilda as a measuring stick but the Saints believe the spirited Kangaroos will also provide them with an accurate indication of how they are travelling. The Saints' victory over an undermanned Geelong last week was their first against a team currently in the eight over the past six weeks - a period where they have been unbeaten and largely unchallenged. But the third-placed Saints - with 12 wins - are only ahead of the Kangaroos on percentage and a loss this week could see them drop out of the top four and needing victories over Fremantle in Perth and danger team Brisbane to earn the double chance. "Internally we've got high expectations and tomorrow will be a good test for where we're at," rugged Saint Aaron Hamill said on Friday afternoon.
The Article Andrew Wu/Sportal/saints.com.au/12Aug05

Roos can't afford slow start
Kangaroos match-winner Shannon Grant has warned his team that they cannot afford to start slowly this week like they have during the past fortnight and expect to come back and beat St Kilda at Telstra Dome on Saturday. The Kangaroos gave reigning premier Port Adelaide a 40-point start at half-time before recording a thrilling victory in Canberra a fortnight ago. Furthermore, they were trailing by three goals in the dying minutes of the game against Collingwood last week before kicking the final four goals to win by six points. But according to Grant, another sluggish start against the Saints will almost certainly not have such a happy ending for the Roos, who - despite winning 12 games this season - have only won eight of their first halves. "You just can't afford to give good sides, quality sides, starts like we have," Grant said on Friday afternoon.
The Article Andrew Wu/Sportal/saints.com.au/12Aug05

Ackland in for Hudghton
St Kilda has lost key defender Max Hudghton with a hamstring injury sustained last Friday night against Geelong for Saturday's eagerly-awaited clash against the Kangaroos at Telstra Dome. Hudghton has been replaced by ruckman Cain Ackland, who is returning to the side after missing two matches with a knee injury. The courageous Hudghton will miss his first match of the season. St Kilda's emergencies are Jason Gram, Nick Stone and Brendon Goddard. The Kangaroos have made two changes. Coming into the line-up is skipper Adam Simpson and rookie Justin Perkins, while the Roos have dropped Jesse Smith and Michael Stevens.
The Article saints.com.au/11Aug05

Time to look ahead!
Understandably it is imperative at this stage of the year more than ever to be concentrating on each game on its merits, however, knowing the inevitable, that finals are around the corner, it is critical that strategies are put in place now as to how the finals will be played. Obviously, with only three matches remaining the final eight is starting to take structure, however, in saying that there is certainly no way of 'calling the final eight' based on remaining games. For this reason the 'Saints' have to focus on team structure and game plans moreso than 'who are we playing and how do we beat them' (or the positive outlook - 'how do we stop them from beating us').
The Article Neil McIntosh/Sainters Say/saints.com.au/11Aug05
Neil McIntosh (Ex St.Kilda player 1982-84)

Great football people, bewildering and contradictory decisions
THE new tribunal system has football and footballers confused. We warned early in the season that Adrian Anderson's system had proved unable to articulate exactly what amount of physical aggression was appropriate in the biggest football competition in the country . . . Fraser Gehrig fights a two-match suspension for tickling Jason Cloke's tummy, his team-mate Justin Koschitzke is found not guilty of a similar charge because the tribunal ruled the force of the blow was negligible and therefore not a strike. The Gehrig ruling was not a standard that football would be monitored. In fact, the Koschitzke case proved that Gehrig's decision was not a precedent but an aberration. Just as the six-game penalty given to Pickett in the pre-season has proved to be no criterion by which to judge bumps to the head of players who hover over the ball.
The Article Patrick Smith/TheAustralian/12Aug05

Thomas toasts minor win
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has described Justin Koschitzke's acquittal by the AFL tribunal as a "little win" for the club that will strengthen the team's structure for next Saturday's match of the round against the Kangaroos at Telstra Dome. With full-back Max Hudghton sidelined for at least three weeks with a torn hamstring, Koschitzke, who was cleared of striking Geelong's Joel Corey at Tuesday night's tribunal hearing, appears ideally suited for the job on David Hale at centre half-back, allowing Luke Penny and Matt Maguire to attend to the Kangaroos' other tall forwards, Saverio Rocca and Nathan Thompson. Speaking before training on Wednesday, Thomas agreed Koschitzke would be invaluable in defence, but could also fill a role up forward. "With Max down, 'Kosi' became very important because of structure, so we've had a little win there," Thomas said.
The Article Angus Morgan/Sportal/saints.com.au/10Aug05
Training reports saintsational.com
Flu Hits Saints saintsational.com
Another injury blow for Roos forward Michael Gleeson/TheAge/11Aug05

Nick Riewoldt Chat Transcript
GorgessSainter12: Hey Roo! Thanks for coming . . . Do you know who will be coming back in this week? Also I heard you didn't train . . . anything to be worried about??
Nick Riewoldt: Nothing to worry about for me. Hopefully Brendon Goddard will come back this week. Obviously Max will go out.
bungiton: Hey Roo, how confident are the guys of winning the next six?
Nick Riewoldt: We are confident of beating any side we come up against, but we respect all our opponents. We have the Kangaroos coming up, and they have proved that they are a fantastic side.
saint-kate: G'day Roo, How is G-Trains hand going?
Nick Riewoldt: I think he is on top of it. We definitely need everyone up and running this time of year and he is doing everything to keep himself playing.
The Transcript Noddy/saints.com.au/10Aug05

Roos aim at attendance record
The Kangaroos have set their sights on breaking Telstra Dome attendance records this week against the Saints. The Kangaroos play St Kilda in a top four clash this Saturday at Telstra Dome, and the club believes it can attract the biggest crowd under the roof for this season. The biggest afternoon game crowd in 2005 so far at Telstra Dome has been 44,814 set by St Kilda and Geelong in Round 7.
The Article kangaroos.com.au/saints.com.au/10Aug05

Loewe should've had night off
The AFL Tribunal got it right last night when it drop-kicked Justin Koschitzke's one-match suspension out the window. Nit-picking has become a bigger problem than on-field violence in the modern game. But was the process correct? Beyond reproach? The three-man jury included Stewart Loewe, not only a former St Kilda player but the player who decreed his No. 23 jumper to Koschitzke on retirement in 2002. Loewe was placed in a no-win situation: Koschitzke gets off and a significant number of observers cry foul; the appeal is dismissed and the Saints automatically wonder whether he might have gone too far trying to avoid a perception of bias.
The Article Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/10Aug05

Tribunal flak a Loewe blow
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas yesterday defended Stewart Loewe's right to arbitrate in the Justin Koschitzke tribunal case on Tuesday night. "We've got a lot of respect for Loewe and the way he goes about it and I think the whole AFL system should. I don't think there should be any question about his integrity in that area," Thomas said before training at Moorabbin yesterday. Koschitzke, offered a one-game suspension for striking Geelong's Joel Corey last weekend, escaped a ban after a long deliberation between tribunal panel members Loewe, Wayne Schimmelbusch and Michael Sexton led to the star Saint getting off with a warning. The decision led to criticism of Loewe, who, after retiring in 2002, passed on his No. 23 guernsey to Koschitzke.
The Article Michael Horan/TheAustralian/11Aug05

Tribunal swipe a Loewe blow
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas yesterday defended Stewart Loewe's right to arbitrate in the Justin Koschitzke tribunal case on Tuesday night. "We've got a lot of respect for Loewe and the way he goes about it and I think the whole AFL system should. I don't think there should be any question about his integrity in that area," Thomas said before training at Moorabbin yesterday. Koschitzke, offered a one-game suspension for striking Geelong's Joel Corey at the weekend, escaped a ban after a long deliberation between tribunal panel members Loewe, Wayne Schimmelbusch and Michael Sexton led to the star Saint getting off with a warning. The decision led to criticism of Loewe, who, after retiring in 2002, passed on his No. 23 guernsey to Koschitzke. But Thomas said it was wrong to suggest anything other than Loewe had the right and integrity to sit on the tribunal panel for the case. We've got a lot of faith in the system"
The Article Michael Horan/HeraldSun/11Aug05

Koschitzke given 'reluctant' reprieve
St Kilda big man Justin Koschitzke escaped with a warning that he was fortunate to beat a striking charge last night. The AFL Tribunal said it was troubled by the Saint's action and almost reluctantly let him off a one-match suspension. The one-game offer imposed by the match review panel for striking Geelong's Joel Corey was overturned by the jury of Michael Sexton, Wayne Schimmelbusch and Stewart Loewe after they deliberated for 20 minutes.
The Article Bruce Matthews/HeraldSun/10Aug05

Koschitzke in the clear St Kilda is breathing a huge sigh of relief after star big man Justin Koschitzke narrowly avoided a suspension at the AFL tribunal on Monday night. Koschitzke, whose return from injury in round 14 has coincided with the Saints' six match unbeaten run, was cleared of striking Geelong's Joel Corey and will be free to play in Saturday's clash against the Kangaroos at Telstra Dome. The Saints could ill-afford to lose Koschitzke, who has kicked 20 goals in the past six weeks, for a match which could decide the top four hopes of both clubs after they had already lost key defender Max Hudghton with a hamstring injury.
The Article Paul Gough/Sportal/saints.com.au/09Aug05

Kosi gets off one match offer
. . . Although the panel expressed its dissatisfaction with the ruckman's arm action, it found the contact with Corey was so minimal the player could not be suspended. "We think the player is very, very lucky that we believe this to be below what we consider to be worthy of a reportable offence," said Sexton in response to questions from tribunal chairman David Jones at the end of the hearing. "The message is, the jury is troubled by the action, the player is very fortunate," Jones said in clearing Koschitzke of the strike. Koschitzke was helped by the testimony of Corey, who agreed the contact had been very minimal
Saint walks, Port furious Karen Lyon/TheAge/10Aug05
K O S I C L E A R !!!!!!! saintsational.com
Review panel's verdicts HeraldSun/09Aug05

Schwab about to pick up tab after two losing bets
Peter Schwab heads the AFL match review panel. It appears he is having an each-way bet on his future. Yesterday he participated in an accreditation course that could qualify him to run a TAB agency. From the outside it would not appear to be a tough course. Lesson one: the customers put their tickets in there and you put their money in the drawer here. Master that and you advance to the next, more tricky level where you must tell the difference between a horse, a pacer and a dog and a cat. It is something most punters fail to comprehend. Watch them observe a thoroughbred race and they'll declare they have backed a dog and sometimes a cat. Schwab will need to be on top of that to help his punters through the day and night. Last week Schwab told the AFL boss Andrew Demetriou that he had applied for a TAB licence and that he would like to continue in his role within the judicial system. Demetriou told him as long as the betting business did not affect his role on the match review panel there would not be a problem.
The Article Patrick Smith/TheAustralian/10Aug05
Schwab punts on a new career Caroline Wilson/TheAge/09Aug05

Montagna to climb
Leigh Montagna hasn't had things easy since his debut in 2002. In his first three seasons, Montagna played just 21 games but last year he enjoyed his best patch of form, notching up nine games. The kid known as 'Joey' will be remembered for the kicking the nine-pointer that sealed the Wizard Cup Grand Final for the Saints last season and he produced some quality football, showing how hard work pays off. Taken in the 2001 National AFL Draft with the 37th pick, Montagna came to Moorabbin around the time it was building itself a nucleus for the future. This season Leigh certainly has had a mountain to climb to break into the senior team again this season. Montagna earned his spot in the team in Round 7 in a blockbuster against Geelong. The game however proved to be a black cloud for St Kilda as not only did they let the game slip from their grasp but they lost Jones and Harvey to soft tissue injuries. Montagna's season was once again thrown into disarray as he hobbled off with a hamstring strain, keeping 'Joey' on the sidelines.
The Article Luca Giacobello/saints.com.au/09Aug05

Saints up, away
St Kilda's fast-finishing end to the year has set up an enticing race for second spot and a home final, but former captain Aaron Hamill concedes the Saints may have blown their chance at a qualifying final in Melbourne. Although the Saints' win over Geelong on Friday night gave them their 12th win of the year, second-placed Adelaide has a two-game buffer on the chasing pack. With a local derby against Port Adelaide and an away match against ladder leader West Coast, the Crows face an unenviable run home, and Hamill said the Saints hoped to capitalise after two away finals last year.
The Article Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/07Aug05

Saints' Heritage Guernsey
This Saturday's Round 20 clash against the Kangaroos at Telstra Dome will see the St Kilda Football Club adopt the Guernsey which the Club wore during seasons 1915 to 1918, where yellow replaced the traditional white, as part of the AFL's Heritage Round. The history of the Guernsey is as follows: In February 1915 St Kilda decided to change its colours of red, white and black (which it had worn since being formed in 1873) because Australia's World War I enemy was Germany whose colours were also red, white and black. St Kilda changed to the red, yellow and black of Belgium - an ally. At a committee meeting there had been a suggestion that the club wear scarlet and khaki to represent blood-stained soldiers, before settling on the Belgian colours.
The Article Russell Holmesby/saints.com.au/08Aug05

Kossy facing one-match ban
St Kilda star Justin Koschitzke has paid a heavy price for three separate incidents he was involved in against Geelong on Friday night, leaving him much lighter in the pocket and in danger of missing Saturday's huge clash with the Kangaroos. Koschitzke was charged by the AFL match review panel on Monday with two separate counts of making negligent contact to field umpires and was offered a one-match suspension for his clash with Geelong's Joel Corey. If the Saints decide to accept the ban then Koschitzke - the star of the Saints' recent surge to premiership favouritism - will be missing from Saturday's clash with the Kangaroos, one of two teams locked in a three-way battle with the Saints for the last two positions in the top four and the double chance in September.
The Article Paul Gough/Sportal/saints.com.au/08Aug05
Koschitzke faces ban and fines Sam Lienert/TheAge/09Aug05
Koschitzke has a decision to make Melissa Ryan/TheAge/09Aug05
Koschitzke's record costs Saints dearly Bruce Matthews/HeraldSun/09Aug05
One game ban for Kosi? saintsational.com

Koschitzke on the mat over umpires
The match review panel will enter new territory today when it scrutinises Justin Koschitzke's unusual contact with umpire Stuart Wenn. Koschitzke grabbed the shirt sleeve of Wenn while protesting against a decision in Friday night's win against Geelong. Channel 9's on-field microphone picked up Wenn forcefully telling the St Kilda ruckman: "Don't touch me."
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/08Aug05

Hudghton hammy a blow
In-form St Kilda defender Brett Voss admits the Saints' backline faces a major challenge in covering the absence of full-back Max Hudghton in the run-in to the finals. Hudghton, the Saints' best defender, injured his hamstring during Friday night's win over Geelong and is certain to miss the last three home-and-away games and now faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the finals. His injury could not have come at a worse time for the Saints, whose place in the top four is not safe yet particularly with matches against fellow top four contenders the Kangaroos to come next week followed by a tough trip to Perth to face a Fremantle side fighting to stay in the eight with a Brisbane side in the similar predicament to come in the last round.
The Article Paul Gough/saints.com.au/07Aug05
Riewoldt let down by ordinary goal kicking Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/09Aug05

Who's going to stand between Saints and the flag?
St Kilda became the first team to register 300 goals for the year when it inflicted yet another mugging on Geelong at the weekend . . . The bookies have reacted accordingly, but, at the serious end of the market, they have elevated St Kilda to joint favouritism for the premiership at $3 each of two . . . So, St Kilda, Sydney and the Kangas simply have to continue to do their best. Plenty of time to worry about where the finals might take them. The loser of Saturday's Kangas-Saints game at Telstra Dome will have the more immediate concern of a spot in the top four.
The Article Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/08Aug05
Saints the punters' pals Michael Manley/HeraldSun/08Aug05

Saint star may come under scrutiny . . . Another area of concern for Koschitzke, who has been instrumental in St Kilda's re-establishment as a force to be reckoned with with 20 goals in the past six games, will be the attention given to a blow that momentarily felled Geelong midfielder Joel Corey. St Kilda will not be the only top-eight club to await the decisions of the match review panel today
The Article Melissa Ryan/TheAge/08Aug05
In reality of a cynic's world, perception cuts to collarbone Patrick Smith/TheAustralian/08Aug05

Thomas heads new order . . .
. . . One of the constants in the St Kilda coached by Thomas has always been the brutal way the side attacks the ball. In its 10-match winning streak at the start of last season it was as fierce as Brisbane in its hat-trick prime. Under Thomas St Kilda players get to the ball quickly and fiercely yet retain a structure around the contest that allows quick and efficient release of the ball. The coach of the All-Australian team is the man who wins the premiership. If the betting is right, that will fall to John Worsfold who has West Coast three games clear at the top of the ladder and with two home finals looming. If the role went to the coach who had practised his craft better than anyone else for the season, then Thomas would not be without a genuine claim for the role. He might yet win it on either criterion.
The Article Patrick Smith/TheAustralian/06Aug05