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2005 - AFL Home and Away Season

Round 3 - Pregame Articles

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Round 3 - Rivalry Round
St Kilda vs Kangaroos
Telstra Dome Sat 9 April 2005, 2:10pm AEST
TAB Sports: St Kilda $1.57, Kangaroos $2.25
Last Game: Saints 147 df Roos 96 Dome (R20 2004)
Live: ABC Radio (Vic) Fox Vic, WA

Kangaroos wary of the G-train again
Forget about questions of non-existent rivalry, Fraser Gehrig's goalkicking record against the Kangaroos in recent times will provide the spark for today's match against St Kilda. The Saints' full-forward has kicked 23 goals in his previous three games against the Kangaroos, including 10 in their round-20 clash last year, and Roos coach Dean Laidley said yesterday the rampaging Gehrig had been very much on his mind in the lead-up to today's match. "He has hurt us and we've got to be wary . . . we'll have to stop him to win the game," Laidley said. "He hasn't been in the best of form, but he's played two games now and his fitness will be better." Defender Leigh Colbert echoed his coach's concern yesterday, saying the team was ready to stop the "G-train" at Telstra Dome.
The Article Julia Medew/TheAge/09Apr05

Coach insists Gehrig is fit
The G-Train was anything but a steaming locomotive at St Kilda's indoor session yesterday, but coach Grant Thomas said Fraser Gehrig would play against the Kangaroos this afternoon at Telstra Dome. Gehrig sat out most of the session, restricted to some handball drills, but despite ongoing concerns over his back injury, Thomas dispelled any suggestion the Saints forward would miss the clash with the Roos. "He trained on grass this morning at Moorabbin and not here on the harder indoor surface. He's raring to go," Thomas said . . . He said past results counted for nothing, despite the Saints thrashing the Roos by 65 points (Round 5) and 51 points (Round 20) in their two meetings last year. "I have a healthy respect for every team we come up against and if you don't you'll get beaten," Thomas said.
The Article Jim Wilson/TheAustralian/09Apr05

Laidley wary of Saints
No Nick Riewoldt. No Justin Koschitzke. It's a prospect Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley should be rubbing his hands over ahead of his team's clash with St Kilda at Telstra Dome today. But Laidley was yesterday quick to refute suggestions the unbeaten Kangaroos were catching the wounded Saints, who thrashed his team twice last year, at an opportune time. "What about their midfield?" Laidley asked before training at Arden St yesterday. "They've still got the ability to get the ball in there so we're not taking them lightly or thinking that this is a great time to play them. They've got a midfield that I reckon probably won them the game (against Fremantle) last week and they're running hot."
The Article Rebecca Williams & Jordan Chong/HeraldSun/09Apr05
Four Pies in the face Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/09Apr05

Herald Sun Preview: There's no rivalry here to speak of, although the winner will edge ahead in the head-to-head stakes, which is currently at a deadlock. St Kilda lost another forward in its one-point win over Fremantle, and Justin Koschitzke will be hard to cover on top of the loss of Nick Riewoldt. But arguably the greatest loss is that of Roos stopper Brady Rawlings, whose suspension robs coach Dean Laidley of an option on one of Saints runners Luke Ball, Robert Harvey or Lenny Hayes. Key: Telstra Dome. Welcome home, Sainters. St Kilda has not lost at the ground since mid-2003 and thrashed the Kangaroos there twice in 2004. They play direct, fast and hard under the roof and a formline of 16 straight wins is hard to argue with.
Team against Kangaroos Saintsational Fan Forum
No underestimating the Roos Jennifer Witham/Sportal/saints.com.au/07Apr05
Saints-Roos: the stats that matter Sportal/saints.com.au/07Apr05

Peckett hopes for turning point
St Kilda's injury list might be a touch long and contain some of its better players, but according to veteran flanker Justin Peckett, the round three clash against the Kangaroos at Telstra Dome might be the week the Saints start to play to their potential. The Saints take a shaky 1-1 record into the clash and will be without star key position players Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke, but Peckett believes a return to form is imminent. "A few of the blokes have been a bit underdone, but this their third week of the season now, so match-fitness shouldn't be an issue. They should be OK," he said in an exclusive interview.
The Article Ashley Brown/afl.com.au/saints.com.au/08Apr05
Roos plan to deny Gehrig: Colbert Andrew Wu/Sortal/saints.com.au/08Apr05
Laidley mindful of Saints' depth Matt Burgan/Sportal/saints.com.au/08Apr05

Dome streak irrelevant: Hudghton
Experienced St Kilda defender Max Hudghton has downplayed the significance of the Saints' return to Telstra Dome, saying they had given little thought to the venue for their clash on Saturday with the Kangaroos. The Saints have won their past 16 matches at Telstra Dome and have not lost there since round 14 in 2003 when the Bombers crushed them by 68 points. But Hudghton, while acknowledging the Saints' impressive record at their home ground, said good sides performed well no matter the venue. "Obviously we've got a good record here going on last year, but I suppose if you're going to be a competitive side in the AFL, you've to play anywhere, anytime," Hudghton said at a press conference alongside Kangaroos defender Leigh Colbert on Friday afternoon. "t's not something the guys have sat down and said - 'oh great, we're back at Telstra Dome.'"
The Article Andrew Wu/saints.com.au/08Apr05
IMG to consider TV options Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/08Apr05
Coaches tricks of the trade Peter Schwab/TheAge/08Apr05

Saints name Raph
St Kilda has included two first round draftees for its clash against the Kangaroos at Telstra Dome on Saturday, but has lost key tall Justin Koschitzke with a hamstring injury. The 22-year-old is expected to miss the following two to three matches after he injured it against Fremantle last Sunday. The Saints have added Raphael Clarke, who was the eighth player selected in the 2003 NAB AFL Draft, while Barry Brooks has also gained a recall. He was claimed by Port Adelaide at no.15 back in 2001, before being traded to the Saints for the 2003 season.
The Article Matt Burgan/saints.com.au/07Apr05

Ball makes point on his captaincy
Whatever happens from here on Luke Ball is proud of the fact that he can tell his grandchildren he captained St Kilda. "Darrel Baldock has been captain of St Kilda so to say I have (been), even for one game, is out of this world," Ball said yesterday . . . "The title itself is a good thing because you carry that in the back of your mind, you are always thinking you are the designated leader for the day. When you might think you are hurting a bit too much, you have that thing ringing in the back of your head that you've just got to get there for your teammates."
The Article Scott Gullan/HeraldSun/07Apr05

AFL Rivalry Round
The Saints take on the Kangaroos this weekend at the Telstra Dome as part of the AFL's Rivalry Round Weekend. Over the years the Saints have had many enduring contests with the Kangaroos, with both teams each having their fair share of battles. Since 1925 the teams have played each other 138 times, with the Saints and Kangaroos coming out even, with 68 wins apiece and two draws. History shows that St Kilda forwards enjoy playing against the Kangaroos, with more goals scored against the 'Roos than any other team. The last time both teams met in Round 20 2004, Fraser Gehrig was unstoppable with a match winning 10 goals.
The Article Vanessa Gigliotti/saints.com.au/05Apr05

Hammy sidelines Koschitzke
St Kilda has confirmed that ruckman/forward Justin Koschitzke will miss the next two to three matches with a hamstring injury. The 22-year-old injured his hamstring in last Sunday's clash against Fremantle at Aurora Stadium in Launceston. Koschitzke has battled back, ankle and elbow injuries since winning the 2001 NAB AFL Rising Star in his first season. He has played just 38 matches in the past three seasons. St Kilda will now be without two key talls, as captain Nick Riewoldt is also out for another three to five weeks with a broken collarbone.
The Article Sportal/saints.com.au/06Apr05

Dome Sweet Dome
. . . Saturday's game at the home fortress of the Dome will be the first of five games for the Saints in Melbourne. It will also be a chance to continue a formidable winning run at their home ground. You have to go back to round 14, 2003, for the last time the Saints lost at the Dome. Back then, Hamill was captain, Nathan Burke was still playing and Collingwood was an AFL powerhouse. The winning run stretches 16 games (20 if you include pre-season outings). It's a far cry from May 2000 when the Saints had still not won at the Docklands venue in eight attempts. In recent times, there have been 100-point whitewashes (West Coast and Carlton), nail-biters (Brisbane twice) and even a Wizard Cup premiership (Geelong). The first win of the streak was a 5-point thriller against the Roos. Will the same opponents be victim No. 17?
The Article John Murray/saints.com.au/06Apr05

Ball on this weeks Captaincy
. . . St Kilda midfielder Luke Ball said although Koschitzke's injury was a massive blow ahead of Saturday's clash with the Kangaroos at Docklands, it would give the club's younger players the opportunity to impress the coaching staff. "He'll take it as he has with all his other injuries and get back as soon as he can, but it gives someone else like a Barry Brooks or a Sam Fisher a chance to stand up, so we'll see how we go this weekend," he said. Ball captained St Kilda against the Dockers in the absence of Riewoldt and said he would relish the chance to again lead his team. "I'll have to talk to the coach about it sooner or later, but unfortunately Kossie's out this week, so it probably only leaves three or four of us in the leadership group again, so I'd love to have the job again," he said.
Koschitzke sidelined ABCSport/06Apr05

Saints seek cover for Kos
St Kilda could turn to youngsters Sam Fisher or Barry Brooks to replace the injured Justin Koschitzke against the Kangaroos on Saturday. Koschitzke, who will miss at least two weeks with a hamstring strain, was considered the natural stand-in for injured captain and star centre half-forward Nick Riewoldt. The Saints' woes have been exacerbated by rampaging full-forward Fraser Gehrig's lingering back problems, which stopped him from playing any pre-season games. St Kilda coach Grant Thomas yesterday said Brooks and Fisher were potential replacements for 22-year-old Koschitzke, who has been dogged by injury after his debut in 2001.
The Article Dan Oakes/TheAge/07Apr05

Saints' injuries mount
St Kilda's injury crisis has worsened with Justin Koschitzke to miss Saturday's clash against the unbeaten Kangaroos with a hamstring injury. The loss is a massive blow to the Saints, who are already missing skipper and first-choice centre half-forward Nick Riewoldt with a broken collarbone. It also adds further pressure on 2004 Coleman medallist Fraser Gehrig, plagued by continuing back problems throughout the off-season, and whom assistant coach Matt Rendell last week described as 'four or five weeks' away from full fitness . . . With Koschitzke unavailable, the St Kilda match committee, when it meets today, has to again come up with another forward-line structure for this weekend's clash at Telstra Dome. But Thomas was confident the Saints had the necessary weapons to kick a winning score. "It gives the responsibility to the players who are fit and available to see the club through the next few weeks," Thomas said. "We've got selection tomorrow and work through it then. We've got other options that we can use."
The Article Jordon Chong/HeraldSun/06Apr05