2005 - AFL Home and Away Season
Round 6 - Pregame Articles
Round 6
Collingwood vs. St Kilda
M.C.G. - Sunday 1st May 2005,
2:10 PM AEST
TV - CH9: 4pm Melb, Adel Live, Perth 3pm
Syd & Bris Late night, Fox: Adel Live
Sportsbet: $1.13 to pies $5.10 (28Apr05)
Teams and Interactive Match-Ups
All Rd 5 Teams HeraldSun
Round six teams and previews TheAge
More tests for Maguire
Searching fitness test today will determine whether concussion victim Matt Maguire can play against Collingwood. Maguire was knocked out for four minutes after a sickening clash with Richmond's Chris Hyde on Sunday, but his remarkable recovery remains on track according to Saints coach Grant Thomas. "He took a step forward at training (today)," Thomas said. "We'll exert him in the morning, get the blood through his body and once we get him to that stage we'll see how he feels. Medically he is signed off, every bit of testing we have done has come up trumps. It is all go, apart from how he actually genuinely feels within himself."
The Article Scott Gullan/HeraldSun/30Apr05
Caffeine isn't Saints' cuppa
St Kilda players trialled the use of caffeine - a stimulant that, until this year, was on the AFL's banned list - throughout the pre-season. Saints coach Grant Thomas last night confirmed the experiment, but said he wasn't sure whether any of his players still took caffeine pills before games. "It's not illegal and there are players from every club that are having it," he said. "I'm not even certain if any of our players are still taking them. We trialled it in the pre-season as we wanted to do it in a controlled manner."
The Article HeraldSun/30Apr05
Saints' caffeine pills get all-clear AAP/TheAustralian/30Apr05
Players experiment with caffeine
Players at up to seven AFL clubs are using caffeine tablets during games to get an edge, although at least one club has moved to end the practice on philosophical and moral grounds.Caffeine tablets were removed from the list of banned substances by the World Anti-Doping Agency in January last year and many players have moved to experiment with the stimulant in games. Caffeine is believed to benefit endurance in athletes and provide a heightened awareness. The drug, however, can cause an increased heart-rate and potentially cause heartbeat irregularities. Some players using the drug have complained of headaches, dizziness, over-arousal and irritability. St Kilda coach Grant Thomas moved to distance the club from use of the drug after he learnt of its use, saying he was opposed to it on moral and philosophical grounds.
The Article Michael Gleeson and Caroline Wilson/TheAge/30Apr05
Riewoldt attacks umps and Brownlow
St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt has questioned the integrity of the Brownlow Medal, accusing umps of holding grudges and not voting for players they dislike. Riewoldt also endorsed a provocative column by Glenn Archer in Wednesday's Herald Sun in which the Kangaroos star said it was time for umpires to stop awarding votes for the game's most prestigious individual award. "I think it's very courageous for him to come out and say what he said," Riewoldt said. "I totally agree. I think the umpires really have no idea who has played well."
The Article Jon Pierik/HeraldSun/30Apr05
Three additions for Saints
St Kilda has recalled Jason Blake and two former Magpies, Mark McGough and Nick Stone to its squad for Sunday's match against Collingwood at the MCG. The trio has been named on the seven-man bench along with Robert Harvey, Brent Guerra, Justin Peckett and Andrew Thompson. Blake and McGough have both played two matches this season although Stone has yet to line-up for the Saints in 2005. McGough played 37 matches with Collingwood from 2002-04 while Stone was on the Magpies' list from 2000-01, but did not play a senior match. He also made 17 appearances with Hawthorn from 2002-03.
Article & Teams saints.com.au/28Apr05
Thomas enjoys MCG romp
. . . On Sunday the Saints take on Collingwood at the MCG and are well aware of the theories that they are far more vulnerable there than at their home ground of Telstra Dome. "We rarely come here and have probably only played here once a year for the last couple of years," Thomas said. "We've only trained here, I think once in four or five years, and we feel quite privileged to be able to come here to be honest as we're not a tenant of the ground. To be able to come here and experience it a little bit is very important for the playing group. It has changed quite dramatically, different ends of the ground are open to what they were last year and I think it is important they get to move the ball around and get a look at it." The Saints lost both home-and-away appearances at the MCG last year to the Western Bulldogs by 23-points in Round 12 and then to Melbourne by 57-points in Round 15.
The Article Scott Gullan/HeraldSun/29Apr05
Saints cautious with Riewoldt
The Saints trained lightly at the MCG for about 30 minutes yesterday afternoon, to re-acquaint themselves with the ground where they last played in September, beating Sydney in the second semi-final. Thomas hoped the run would have his players switched on to the changes at the ground. "It's changed quite dramatically and it's looking super," Thomas said. "Different ends of the ground are open to what were open last year, so I think it's important they get to move the ball around here and get a look at it." The Saints trained without Lenny Hayes, who is ill, and won't consider Luke Penny or Stephen Powell for another few weeks. Former Magpie Mark McGough was included on an expanded interchange alongside Nick Stone and Jason Blake.
The Article Emma Quayle/TheAge/29Apr05
How can Maguire play again so soon? Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/29Apr05
Selectors ring the changes
Collingwood has dropped 2000 Brownlow Medallist Shane Woewodin for Sunday's clash against St Kilda at the MCG. It will be only the third time since he made his debut with Melbourne in round one 1997 that he has missed an AFL match. The only other time he missed an AFL fixture was when he injured his buttocks while playing for the Demons in rounds 14 and 15, 2001. Jason Cloke has been added for his first appearance in 2005 meaning it may be the first time all three Cloke brothers - including Cameron and Travis - play together for the black and white. Andrew Williams has been dropped. St Kilda has recalled Jason Blake and two former Magpies, Mark McGough and Nick Stone to its squad. The trio has been named on the seven-man bench along with Robert Harvey, Brent Guerra, Justin Peckett and Andrew Thompson.
The Article saints.com.au/28Apr05
Pies lose patience with Woewodin Michael Stevens/TheAustralian/29Apr05
Collingwood names Cloke trio Sportal/28Apr05
Selectors ring the changes
Collingwood has dropped 2000 Brownlow Medallist Shane Woewodin for Sunday's clash against St Kilda at the MCG. It will be only the third time since he made his debut with Melbourne in round one 1997 that he has missed an AFL match. The only other time he missed an AFL fixture was when he injured his buttocks while playing for the Demons in rounds 14 and 15, 2001. Jason Cloke has been added for his first appearance in 2005 meaning it may be the first time all three Cloke brothers - including Cameron and Travis - play together for the black and white. Andrew Williams has been dropped. St Kilda has recalled Jason Blake and two former Magpies, Mark McGough and Nick Stone to its squad. The trio has been named on the seven-man bench along with Robert Harvey, Brent Guerra, Justin Peckett and Andrew Thompson.
The Article saints.com.au/28Apr05
Riewoldt kept on ice
St Kilda has ruled skipper Nick Riewoldt out of Sunday's clash with Collingwood at the MCG, but former captain Lenny Hayes will play despite suffering a bout of gastro earlier in the week. Saints coach Grant Thomas said Riewoldt, who broke his collarbone in the Saints' first round loss to Brisbane at the Gabba, would not be playing on Sunday because he had not yet completed a full week of competitive work. "If he was right to go, we'd be playing him," Thomas said.
The Article Andrew Wu/Sportal/saints.com.au/28Apr05
Dome rock hard, says Eade Dan Oakes/TheAge/28Apr05
Round 6 previews HeraldSun/28Apr05
Earning some respect
When a player leaves for another club, no doubt the first game against his old team is perhaps the most circled event on the calendar. For Aaron Fiora, the Anzac Day eve clash at the Telstra Dome against Richmond was just that. After the annihilation and a fantastic performance, there is no better way to exact revenge. Taken in the 1999 National AFL Draft with the 3rd overall pick, much was expected from this prize recruit from South Australia, picked ahead of Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich and many others who are now household names. Despite this, it didn't faze Fiora at the time, "When you get drafted, people probably look at you a little bit more, but you try not to think of it". Earning a Rising Star nomination in 2001 and having a great year in 2002, Fiora was never really able to showcase his abilities and was much maligned by the critics and fans, "I don't really think I wasn't given enough chances, just when I had them I didn't really the warrant time on the ground. I didn't play where I wanted to play but I don't think its true (about the lack of chances), playing 60 odd games in five years."
The Article Luca Giacobello/saints.com.au/28Apr05
Up in arms over hacking rules
AFL clubs and former champions of the game have expressed concern at the introduction and interpretation of the league's "arm-hacking" rules, believing defenders are being robbed of their potency and umpires are further micro-managing the game. Essendon, St Kilda, Collingwood, the Kangaroos, Geelong, Richmond, and the Western Bulldogs have expressed elements of doubt about the new rule, which allows umpires to award a free kick against a player who 'deliberately interferes with the arms of an opposition player' in a marking contest. With almost all of the spotlight falling upon the duels between forwards and defenders, the outcry is being raised about free kicks against defenders who make incidental contact with arms in their attempt to spoil. With shots on goal often the result, it has been a hot talking point.
The Article Melissa Ryan/TheAge/28Apr05
Tickets for Subiaco
W.A. Members are advised that when ordering your match tickets for the May 14th game that the Club will only supply tickets on the basis of one per member any guest tickets must be purchased through Ticketmaster 7 after 9.00am Monday May 2nd. St Kilda are issued only a certain number of tickets by West Coast which will barely cover our needs therefore we will not supply these tickets to non members as paid up Saints will miss out. Be warned that to purchase extra tickets you should be on the phone immediatly after 9.00am on Monday to ensure of getting same. This game will probably be a SELL OUT so don't leave it too late . . . Lew Mutch (President - Western Saints)
Maguire faces tests
A series of movement tests and a searching training session stand between St Kilda backman Matt Maguire's remarkable recovery and his place in the side for Sunday's clash with Collingwood. Maguire wants to line up against the Magpies at the MCG despite being knocked out in a sickening collision two days ago. The young Saints defender has made a more rapid recovery than Richmond onballer Chris Hyde after both ended up in the same hospital ward last Sunday night following the high-speed clash of heads in the last quarter at Telstra Dome.
The Article Bruce Matthews/HeraldSun/26Apr05
Hyde, Maguire on road to recovery Paul Gough/saints.com.au/25Apr05
I'm right to play: Maguire Len Johnson & Melissa Ryan/TheAge/26Apr05
Hyde has hairline skull fracture HeraldSun/26Apr05
Up in arms over hacking rules
AFL clubs and former champions of the game have expressed concern at the introduction and interpretation of the league's "arm-hacking" rules, believing defenders are being robbed of their potency and umpires are further micro-managing the game. Essendon, St Kilda, Collingwood, the Kangaroos, Geelong, Richmond, and the Western Bulldogs have expressed elements of doubt about the new rule, which allows umpires to award a free kick against a player who 'deliberately interferes with the arms of an opposition player' in a marking contest. With almost all of the spotlight falling upon the duels between forwards and defenders, the outcry is being raised about free kicks against defenders who make incidental contact with arms in their attempt to spoil. With shots on goal often the result, it has been a hot talking point.
The Article Melissa Ryan/TheAge/28Apr05
Umps try to clear choppy air Melissa Ryan/TheAge/28Apr05
Maguire shrugs off clash
St Kilda defender Matt Maguire says he is confident he will be fit to play next week despite being knocked unconscious in yesterday's win over Richmond at Docklands. Maguire and Richmond's Chris Hyde both hit the deck and were carried off on stretchers after a sickening mid-air clash of heads. Maguire was released from hospital on Sunday night and today he said he was recovering well. "Because of the recovery I made at the hospital, they didn't feel I needed any scans or anything like that to make sure I was OK," he said.
The Article ABC Sport/25Apr05
Milne dispels selfish tag
St Kilda goalsneak Stephen Milne wants it known that he's not a selfish player. The 25-year-old has been in great form in recent weeks, kicking bags of four goals against Melbourne and five in last week's win over Richmond. Milne said he'd heeded some post-match criticism following the loss to the Kangaroos in Round 3, a game in which he played on after marking 20m from goal, was tackled and conceded a free kick. He has also improved his number of "goal assists" during that time too, something he talked about yesterday.
The Article Jordan Chong/HeraldSun/29Apr05
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