2005 - AFL Home and Away Season
Round 21 - Pregame Articles
Round 21
Fremantle vs. St Kilda
Subiaco Oval Fri 19 August 2005, 6:40pm AWST
TV: Ch9 - Melb (Live), Pth, Syd, Bris (Delayed)
St Kilda Dockerland Fan Forum
Goddard, Gram to tackle Freo
St Kilda has regained Brendon Goddard and has dropped forward Brent Guerra for Friday night's eagerly-awaited clash against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval. As expected, the Saints have lost defender Sam Fisher with a foot stress fracture, while former Lion Jason Gram returns for just his fourth match of the season. St Kilda coach Grant Thomas said Guerra's form has been down in recent times. "His form hasn't been as good as it should've been in the last couple of weeks and we've got Brendon Goddard to come back into the side," Thomas said. "Brent will go back (to the Scorpions) - and he's an important player for us - and he's a guy we need coming into the finals, so hopefully he'll deliver on the weekend and get back next week."
The Article AFL/saints.com.au/18Aug05
Guerra left behind HeraldSun/19Aug05
Gehrig fights pain for greater good
Fraser Gehrig has played hurt for most of the past two seasons and will again tonight without complaint when St Kilda takes on Fremantle at Subiaco Oval. Despite painful back, hand and foot injuries during the past two seasons, Gehrig won the 2004 Coleman Medal when he kicked 103 goals. He has booted 70 this year and through it all has missed just three games.
The Article Michael Horan/HeraldSun/19Aug05
Doubts over 'sore' Gehrig
St Kilda's bid to hold a top-three position, thus avoiding the trip west to play West Coast in a fortnight, is under threat with full-forward Fraser Gehrig in doubt for tonight's game against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval. Gehrig took the trip to Perth yesterday with the rest of the team but coach Grant Thomas admitted the AFL's leading goalkicker and reigning Coleman medallist was under duress. "He has got a few sore spots from the tips of his fingers to the tips of his toes and we have been really light on him this week, and he hasn't done a lot of work, but he is very confident that he will be OK," said Thomas. Gehrig, who has kicked 70 goals, did not join full training at Moorabbin yesterday, being reduced to jogging a couple of laps, and appeared to grab at the back of his leg several times. He has been managing a thumb injury for the past month as well. The 29-year-old's chances of securing another Coleman Medal could be affected by the latest hitch, with Sydney's Barry Hall on 66 goals.
The Article Martin Blake/TheAge/19Aug05
Gehrig fails to run out session Greg Denham/TheAustralian/19Aug05
Bell pays heavy price for courage Mark Duffield/WestAustralian/19Aug05
Goose steps up
Football mythology has it that Jonathan Brown and Matt Maguire are practically blood brothers. Their fathers were big names and longstanding rivals in the Hampden League, where both also played against Grant Thomas. Brian Brown taught Maguire in year 12 in Warrnambool. But Maguire spent most of his childhood elsewhere on the west coast, at Barwon Heads, and is three years younger than Brown, a generation among youth. Maguire crossed paths meaningfully with Brown for the first time last year, as centre half-back and centre half-forward. "He gave me a bit of muscle meltdown," Maguire said. "Midway through the last quarter, I was stranded in the back pocket. I just couldn't move my legs. I cramped so badly I got to a point where I couldn't control my legs. They were waving around everywhere. It was my first crack at playing games on the trot, and at that point my body wasn't ready for it." Brown was three pre-seasons ahead of him, and three premierships, too.
The Article Greg Baum/TheAge/19Aug05
Saints' hard man Baker in hunt
St Kilda tough nut Steven Baker has sent an ominous warning to Fremantle ahead of tonight's clash at Subiaco - the Saints have gone from the hunted to the hunters. Baker said the Saints' all-out aggression and hardness at the football had improved dramatically this season and the club was clicking at the right time. "As a team we are playing better this year and at the time of the season when it really matters," Baker said. "We want to be the hunters. Last year everyone was trying to knock us off and we have changed our attitude this season."
The Article Jim Wilson/HeraldSun/19Aug05
Saints sitting tight on umps
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has declined to comment further on remarks he made earlier in the week on the rights of coaches to comment on umpires. Thomas fronted the media on Thursday at Melbourne Airport just before boarding a plane to Perth, in the lead-up to Friday night's clash against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval. "In relation to recent events and the issue that's under review at the moment, I won't be making any comments about that - that's got to go through the right channels," Thomas said.
The Article Matt Burgan/Sportal/saints.com.au/18Aug05
Elliott: Ban and fine Thomas Jordan Chong/HeraldSun/19Aug05
Memo coaches: you're out of bounds Peter Schwab/TheAge/19Aug05
Umpire criticism may cost Thomas $20,000 Karen Lyon/TheAge/19Aug05
AFL desperately seeking another Disraeli Patrick Smith/The Australian/19Aug05
AFL's fine threat to umpires' critics Melissa Ryan/TheAge/18Aug05
Should coaches be able to criticise umpires? Michael Gleeson and Greg Baum/TheAge/18Aug05
League ignores its own policy Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/18Aug05
League may ban Thomas Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/18Aug05
AFL's fine threat to umpires' critics Melissa Ryan/The Age/18Aug05
Thomas in strife, warns AFL boss Chip Le Grand/The Australian/18Aug05
Umpire whacker in hot water: this goose is cooked Patrick Smith/The Australian/18Aug05
Thomas 'in strife' says Demetriou ABCSport/18Aug05
What penalty should the AFL give to St.Kilda coach Grant Thomas? foxfooty - VOTE HERE
Penny: Last Line Specialist
The job of a football defender is perhaps one of the most demanding in the AFL. Time after time these men have to not only prevent their opponent from receiving the ball but are responsible for repelling it and mounting a forward thrust. They put their bodies on the line every week and very few receive the fanfare and spotlight their forward counterparts attract. However, they earn the respect of their peers and the admiration of their fans. They're unsung heroes who give no favours and do their job with the skill and discipline of an army troop. Luke Penny is an unsung hero of the St Kilda Football Club, going about his business in a quiet and dignified manner. Often enough he gets the unenviable task of playing on some of the best forwards in the league and what he lacks in pace he makes up in size and strength, "I really like the challenge of playing on the key forwards. It gives you experience and eventually you use that knowledge to your advantage against your opponent."
The Article Luca Giacobello/saints.com.au/17Aug05
Stephen Milne Chat Transcript Noddy/saints.com.au/17Aug05
Saints sitting tight on umps
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has declined to comment further on remarks he made earlier in the week on the rights of coaches to comment on umpires. Thomas fronted the media on Thursday at Melbourne Airport just before boarding a plane to Perth, in the lead-up to Friday night's clash against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval. "In relation to recent events and the issue that's under review at the moment, I won't be making any comments about that - that's got to go through the right channels," Thomas said.
The Article Matt Burgan/Sportal/saints.com.au/18Aug05
League ignores its own policy
Grant Thomas dumped on the umpires on Tuesday. Even Sam Newman would deem it a decent crack. The St Kilda coach is going to be fined because he broke a rule, one that Andrew Demetriou's administration regards as more important than most. Yet Demetriou also broke a 'rule' or two yesterday when he addressed the media on the issue. He clearly has usurped the role of his football operations manager Adrian Anderson by suggesting Thomas will be judged under the rules that allow the league to charge him with the serious offence of 'conduct unbecoming'. He told the media Thomas's comments were 'pretty poor and unacceptable' and 'demeaning to umpires'.
The Article Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/18Aug05
League may ban Thomas
In an unprecedented threat, the AFL has left open the possibility of suspending St Kilda coach Grant Thomas for his criticism of umpires. AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou yesterday announced Thomas' comments would be dealt with under Player Rules -- not established penalties that apply for umpire criticism - which allow "conduct unbecoming" actions to be sent to the tribunal. Demetriou said yesterday that the AFL's football operations manager Adrian Anderson would use his discretion under Rule 1.6 to impose potentially severe monetary or tribunal sanctions. "I think he is in strife," Demetriou said. He said umpires had been unfairly criticised by Thomas, who, among many observations of the game's on-field adjudicators, said they should "put their ego in the locker when they start their career and pick it up when they finish their career".
The Article Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/18Aug05
Penny: Last Line Specialist
The job of a football defender is perhaps one of the most demanding in the AFL. Time after time these men have to not only prevent their opponent from receiving the ball but are responsible for repelling it and mounting a forward thrust. They put their bodies on the line every week and very few receive the fanfare and spotlight their forward counterparts attract. However, they earn the respect of their peers and the admiration of their fans. They're unsung heroes who give no favours and do their job with the skill and discipline of an army troop. Luke Penny is an unsung hero of the St Kilda Football Club, going about his business in a quiet and dignified manner. Often enough he gets the unenviable task of playing on some of the best forwards in the league and what he lacks in pace he makes up in size and strength, "I really like the challenge of playing on the key forwards. It gives you experience and eventually you use that knowledge to your advantage against your opponent."
The Article Luca Giacobello/saints.com.au/17Aug05
Stephen Milne Chat Transcript Noddy/saints.com.au/17Aug05
AFL's fine threat to umpires' critics
The AFL is set to slap umpire-bashers with substantially increased penalties, as chief executive Andrew Demetriou launched a fiery defence of umpires and told St Kilda coach Grant Thomas "he's in strife" for his outburst. AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson is still to determine what penalty Thomas will receive for his stinging attack on Tuesday, in which he called the AFL pathetic for fining coaches who criticised umpiring and accused umpires of being egocentric and too prominent. Anderson was reviewing the transcripts of the press conference. St Kilda released a statement yesterday in which Thomas apologised. "My comments were in no way meant to be interpreted as a personal attack on umpires or umpiring in general. They were in answer to a series of questions. If my comments have offended any individual or group, I sincerely apologise," Thomas said.
The Article Melissa Ryan/The Age/18Aug05
Thomas in strife, warns AFL boss Chip Le Grand/The Australian/18Aug05
Umpire whacker in hot water: this goose is cooked Patrick Smith/The Australian/18Aug05
Thomas 'in strife' says Demetriou ABCSport/18Aug05
Stress fractures sideline Fisher
St Kilda has suffered another defensive blow with the much-improved Sam Fisher breaking down with a foot injury. The Saints have already ruled Fisher, who has played every game this season, out of Friday night's trip to Perth to face Fremantle and it is believed he is suffering stress fractures. The loss of Fisher comes on top of the absence of full-back Max Hudghton and the dashing Xavier Clarke both with hamstring injuries with Clarke the most likely to be back in time for the finals. "We are going to have three of our starting back six out so that makes it difficult and it means we've got re-structure down there," Thomas said of the Saints' defensive woes ahead of the trip to Fremantle.
The Article Paul Gough/Sportal/saints.com.au/16Aug05
Saints miss big men for Freo clash Michael Gleeson/The Age/17Aug05
Saints' backs to the wall
Sam Fisher's stress fracture of the foot has further weakened St Kilda's already-depleted backline. Fisher, who did not train yesterday, is in extreme doubt for Friday night's clash against Fremantle in Perth. One of St Kilda's best players during the club's winning streak, which now stands at seven, the 191cm defender is one of only six Saints to play all games this season. Luke Penny also missed yesterday's light session at Moorabbin, but he is trying to nurse a persistent knee injury through the season.
The Article Bruce Matthews/HeraldSun/17Aug05
Umpire rules 'bordering on pathetic': Thomas
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has described the AFL's sensitivity about criticism of umpires as "bordering on pathetic", and has accused the league of treating coaches "like kids". Earlier this month Collingwood was fined $5,000 for comments about umpiring made by Mick Malthouse, while Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade is facing a similar penalty for his comments on the weekend. Today Thomas said the men in white had been "put on a pedestal" and called for coaches to be given more scope to discuss umpires' performances. "It's bordering on pathetic. If you want to treat us like kids, we're probably going to act like kids, so if that's the case, what do you say? It just becomes ridiculous," he fumed.
The Article ABC Sport/16Aug05
If you don't mind, ump Bruce Matthews/HeraldSun/17Aug05
Thomas blasts AFL on umps Michael Gleeson/The Age/17Aug05
Thomas tells AFL all is not fine Peter Krupka/The Australian/17Aug05
Gehrig future a body call
Leading goalkicker Fraser Gehrig's body could be nearing the end of its tether and he could be a surprise retirement at the end of the season, according to his coach Grant Thomas. The spearhead, who is closing in on a second successive Coleman Medal, is out of contract at the end of the season and will not negotiate a renewal with his manager Ron Joseph until season's end. While it is extremely unlikely he will retire, a premiership this year could tempt the full-forward, who will turn 30 before the start of next season, to consider going out on a high note. "We will sit down at the end of the year and see how Fraser pulls up, see how his body is and see how he is mentally with everything," Thomas said. "I have got no doubt that he will want to go on but if he doesn't I am sure it will be based on the fact that his body has got to the end of its tether."
The Article Michael Gleeson/The Age/17Aug05
No Friday night fright
Friday night's game against St Kilda can't come quick enough for Fremantle according to full forward Luke McPharlin. After a disappointing effort against West Coast he said the team is desperate to atone and are looking forward to playing in front of a passionate home crowd and nationwide TV audience. Friday night football hasn't been kind to Fremantle with the club losing their last five games but McPharlin said everyone is fully focused on reversing that this week. "It has been an absolute blessing that we're playing again on a Friday night against a top team and hopefully we can turn things around and bounce back and just rewrite some of the errors we made," said McPharlin.
The Article Freo site/via saints.com.au/16Aug05
Saints flag favourites
St Kilda, on the back of its seven straight victories, has become outright flag favourite - while Sydney has been the big mover in the betting since the weekend. The Saints were yesterday listed at $3 by TAB Sportsbet, ahead of ladder leader West Coast at $3.10 and Adelaide at $4.75. "We made the Saints and Eagles joint favourites after good wins last week, but there has been no money for West Coast today, so the boys wound them out to $3.10, leaving St Kilda clear favourites," TAB Sportsbet's Gary Davies said.
The Article Emma Quayle/The Age/16Aug05
AFL injury list The Age/16Aug05
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