Jason Cripps Image Source: sportal.com.au (Jason) Cripps was a member of St Kilda's last Grand Final team in 1997 and won the respect of all Saints fans in making a successful comeback from a serious hamstring injury, sustained in early 1998, which kept him out of the game for three years. He retired at the end of 2002 after just 60 games in an injury-plagued seven-year career before becoming part of the Saints' coaching panel. Source: Sportal Goodbye and all the best Jason westofmoorabbin.com Jason has been an excellent servant of the club as player, runner and assistant coach over the many years. I would like to acknowledge his services to the club and wish Jason and his new wife all the best for the future. Ed. Jason Cripps Chat Transcript 1st March 2006 saints.com.au Saints usher new era Sportal - 16Oct06 Suddenly I'm absolutely bloody itching for next season to start by 'Enrico_Misso' 29 days of Evolution ! First When I heard GT was gone I couldn't believe it. He was "our" coach - a Saints man - a true believer. And when I realised they didn't have anyone else lined up and I feared this was all one big horrible dream. "What the hell have you done Rod !" I feared we were imploding. Then, Started to take on board some of the comments/criticisms of GT's approach. Started thinking about the need for us to catchup/pass Sydney/Adelaide/WCE in our off-field structure. Started to remember how we were out manoeuvred in key games eg Geelong and Melbourne earlier in the season. How we had a great 'Plan A' but if that failed we were in trouble. Started realising that just having a talented list was not going to be enough. Started thinking how we needed a harder edge, a tougher more disciplined and more tactical approach. Then along comes Lyon great pedigree spoke well at the press conference - set a positive and assertive tone heard him give two impressive interviews on radio showed a lot of understanding of our deficiencies showed he had ideas and strategies showed he had leadership showed he had the determination to implement a more tactical style - a plan B,C, D and beyond Now I realise the decision feels good !!!! I understand why Rod did it and admire him for having the courage to make an incredibly tough decision. It gives us the final ingredient to take GT's foundation and go that extra step Optimism has returned. I've got a real hunch "This is it". Everything just feels right ! Suddenly I'm absolutely bloody itching for next season to start. The Post 'Enrico_Misso' saintsational.com

Official Announcement from the St Kilda Football Club
Cripps and Mifsud depart the Saints
St Kilda Football Club would like to announce that Assistant Coaches Jason Cripps and Jason Mifsud have today been informed their services at the Club are no longer required. St Kilda Football Club would like to strongly acknowledge both coaches for their contribution at St Kilda . . .
The annoucement saints.com.au/16Oct06
Supporters Comments 'saintbrat' et al/saintsational.com

More coaches depart Saints
St Kilda will have a completely new coaching staff in 2007 after the only survivors from the Grant Thomas era in Jason Cripps and Jason Mifsud were shown the door by the Saints on Monday. The Saints informed both men that their services were no longer required, giving new coach Ross Lyon the freedom to handpick his entire assistant coaching team for 2007 . . . The decision to axe both Cripps, a former St Kilda player, as well as the little-known Mifsud will increase speculation that Carlton great Stephen Silvagni will soon be on his way to Moorabbin . . . The experienced Tony Elshaug, a long-time assistant to Carlton coach Denis Pagan, is another strong contender to be part of the Saints' coaching panel next year.
The Article Paul Gough/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/16Oct06
Saints sack remaining assistants AAP/FoxSports/16Oct06
Saints sack remaining assistants TownsvilleBulletin/16Oct06

Saints complete coaching clean-out
St Kilda has completed a clean-out of its 2006 coaching staff, axing assistants Jason Cripps and Jason Mifsud. They follow head coach Grant Thomas and assistants Matthew Rendell and Mick McGuane, who have already departed. Ex-Sydney assistant Ross Lyon was last week appointed as the new head coach, with former Carlton defender Stephen Silvagni set to join him as an assistant.
The Article AAP/TheAge/16Oct06

Max as a back pocket . . .
Well one of the things that Lyon has mentioned as being desirable is that Max be freed up to play the third tall backman role. As we all know Max is superb in this role and is versatility also allows him to play on shorts, mediums or talls . . . allowing the structure of the backline to be kept stable. Having Max as a third back in 2007 is further complicated by Goose's broken leg and possible slow start to 2007 . . .
The Post & Thread 'saintsRrising' et al/sainsational.com

Out of sight, out of mind
If Peter German was one of St Kilda's reported 50-odd possible coaches, he didn't advance to stage two. There was no contact, formal or informal; not even an inquiry about any possible interest. Not even after German's Subiaco finished on top of the WAFL home-and-away ladder for the fourth year running. Nor after Subi won its second premiership in three seasons, taking his record at the club to 72 wins from 88 games . . . While the Saints are seen to have done well securing former Sydney assistant Ross Lyon as successor to Grant Thomas, it is hard to believe someone with German's history wasn't even listed for consideration. German, 41, has a record that stands up with the best of any who haven't coached at AFL level.
The Article Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/16Oct06

Peckett a coach at Karingal
Justin Peckett may be lost to AFL footy but his career is far from over. Karingal, in the Mornington Peninsula's Nepean Football League, announced yesterday the former St Kilda star, who started out with Karingal as a teenager, would coach the team for the next two years, meaning he will come up against another former league star, Martin Pike, who coaches rival club Hastings.
Funny game . . . AAP/TheAge/16Oct06

Three strikes and Royal fears for reputation
Brian Royal wonders whether missing three senior coaching jobs has damaged his name and made it more difficult to win a senior job. Despite a reputation as one of the league's most accomplished assistant coaches, he didn't rate a mention when St Kilda sought a replacement for Grant Thomas. Royal, Richmond's director of coaching under Terry Wallace, realises that perception and being at a successful club can be everything . . . Ross Lyon's appointment at St Kilda has given Royal hope that not all is lost because they've been in the system as assistant coaches for the same period. "From my point of view it gives me optimism that there could be still a chance," Royal said. "I totally agree that if an assistant coach is at a successful club it definitely helps his chances. Apart from Guy McKenna, the applicants (at St Kilda) were probably all from successful sides but obviously Bluey was successful at West Coast."
The Article Daryl Timms/HeraldSun/16Oct06
Ratten coaching role at Carlton
Caracella to Magpies' coaching Panel Jake Niall/TheAge RealFooty/16Oct06

Talent trumps science
Science is continuing to envelop the AFL's recruiting process but if you ask those in the know, there's no substitute for football smarts. Take Glenelg's Bryce Gibbs, widely regarded as the nation's best talent in next month's AFL draft, for example. Absent from Saturday's state-based screening session due to illness, Gibbs wasn't in the top echelon of any of the exercises tested in Canberra. Nick Gill, Jacob Crate and Greg Gallman may have been SA's stars at Henley High School, rivalling Shane Edwards, but their ratings still struggle to reach Gibbs'.
The Article Zac Milbank/AdelaideAdvetiser/16Oct06

Port's not an option
Hart's willingness to make the great switch from Crow to Power player . . . would contradict the club's (Port) youth policy . . . The Crows have offered Hart the chance to remain at West Lakes - where he was part of Adelaide's inaugural squad in 1991 - as a specialist coach. The second prong to Adelaide's offer to keep Hart at the club is to work in the commercial offices.
The Article Michelangelo Rucci/AdelaideAdvetiser/16Oct06
Ben Hart: The full story Chris McDermott/Adelaide Advertiser/15Oct06

Spida had to get out of town
Sydney recruit Peter Everitt says he had to get out of Melbourne for the sake of his playing future and his family. Everitt, 32, admitted yesterday that his colourful and controversial career had been thrown a lifeline after Hawthorn agreed to trade the talented ruckman to the Swans . . . Everitt will arrive in Sydney early next month after a holiday in New Zealand, and he will start training immediately. He and his partner, Sheree, who is due to give birth on Boxing Day, will housesit for close mate Barry Hall while the Swans co-captain is in Ireland for the international rules series.
The Article Tim Morrissey/TheAustralian/16Oct06
Everitt had to make 'breakout' Tim Morrissey/FoxSports/15Oct06
Spider lands in Swan lake Tim Morrissey/AdelaideAdvetiser/15Oct06
Lions puzzle almost solved Greg Davis/SundayMail/15Oct06

Saints are Winners in Draft
St Kilda's management deserve great praise for securing Michael Gardiner and Shane Birss in exchange for 3rd round draft pick 43 - that has to be the best value deal of the 2006 draft. A real bargain! While Gardiner's selection is seen as controversial, there is plenty of precedent for "bad boys" successfully resurrecting their AFL careers by changing clubs. In Gardiner's case St Kilda were smart enough to insist on a 1 year contract for Gardiner to prove to the Saints and the football community that he has what it takes; if he fails then he knows he is finished, but if he succeeds he stands to give the Saints at least 3 - 5 years of great service. For the current list even Blind Freddy could tell that they are short one quality ruckman and if Gardiner is able to recover his best form, and at age 27 that is very likely, he may well make the difference in the finals. So well done Ross Lyon & co for living the 2007 motto: Believe or Burn!
The Post and Thread 'saintwill66' saintsational.com
What are you expecting from the new recruits? 'Sam23' et al/saintsational.com

Power cuts three
Port Adelaide has cut its list by three to make room in its list for the picks it has in the '06 'super draft', with Matthew Bishop, James Ezard and Elijah Ware being told their services are no longer required.
The Article Sportal/15Oct06

Carlton defender Thornton to stay a Blue
Young Carlton defender Bret Thornton is to remain a Blue. Carlton CEO Michael Malouf said on Saturday Thornton, who had been linked to Hawthorn, had signed a new three-year deal to remain with the club. The agreement was inked on Saturday - the day after AFL trade week ended - when Blues football manager Grant Williams met with Thornton's manager Anthony McConville . . . McConville on Saturday told Hawthorn player personnel manager Chris Pelchen of Thornton's decision.
The Article AAP/TheAge/14Oct06
Thornton a Blue for 3 more years Chloe Saltau/TheAge/15Oct06
Roos to bounce back: Walsh Samantha Lane/TheAge RealFooty/15Oct06
Rioli: Bomber takes role in new territory Samantha Lane/TheAge RealFooty/15Oct06

Silvagni keen to help Saints
A meeting with new St Kilda coach Ross Lyon early next week could confirm Stephen Silvagni's addition to the Saints' coaching panel as a full-time assistant. The former Carlton champion and full-back of the century said yesterday he was still to talk to St Kilda about the position, but reiterated his interest in a full-time assistant's role under Lyon, with whom he became close when the former Fitzroy player was on the Blues' coaching team. "I'm keen to do something, and that's where it's at," Silvagni said yesterday. "I still haven't spoken to anyone from St Kilda. I spoke briefly to Ross once he got the job to congratulate him, but he's had bigger issues this week."
The Article Rohan Connolly/TheAge RealFooty/14Oct06
Delistings - All Teams Updated - 'saintbrat' et al/saintsational.com

Mifsud's fate unclear as Lyon lands
Former Koroit champion Jason Mifsud's future at St Kilda remains unclear after the announcement yesterday of Ross Lyon as the Saints' new coach . . . Two of Thomas' assistant coaches, Matt Rendell and Mick McGuane, resigned this week in the wake of the club's changes, with McGuane taking a position in the media. But the fate of Mifsud, who was appointed as an assistant coach by Thomas this year, and fellow assistant Jason Cripps is yet to be learnt. Lyon said yesterday that no decisions had been made on his support staff, although Carlton legend Stephen Silvagni, a close friend of Lyon's, is expected to join the Saints as part of a new match committee.
The Article Shane Fowles/TheWarrnamboolStandard/13Oct06

Gardiner's woes are in the past
St Kilda regards recruit Michael Gardiner as a quality ruckman who can boost the club's premiership chances, not as an injury prone player with a penchant for getting into trouble . . . In other news, Mulwala's Mark McGough has been delisted by St Kilda after managing just three games with the club this season. The ex-Magpie had failed to break into the Saints' senior squad, despite some outstanding performances for the club's reserves side, Casey Scorpions. The club has also delisted former Lavington player Allan Murray, the brother of North Albury player Matt, and ex-Hopper Derek. After crossing from Port Adelaide, Murray played four games with the Saints this season.
The Article BorderMail/14Oct06

2007 Ladder . . . ?
'saintsbit' - 1. StKilda (Gardiner proves to be the perfect recruit and dominates the ruck. Gehrig, Milne, Roo all kick 60+ goals, Kosi and Hamill 35+ goals. Lenny Hayes leads the Saints to their first Minor Premiership since 1997 while Dal Santo benifits from Hayes's return to win the Brownlow. B&F: Dal Santo, R/U: Hayes) . . .
The Tread 'sabras' et al/saintsational.com

Bomber takes role in new territory
Dean Rioli played his 101st match for the (Tiwi Island) Bombers yesterday, the whys and wherefores of his selection nowhere near as controversial as they'd been seven weeks earlier . . . Around 4500 people attended Darwin's Marrara Stadium to witness the season kick-off match contested by the new bucks and NTFL powerhouse St Mary's.
The Article Samantha Lane/TheAge RealFooty/15Oct06

Bulldog Birss to Saints
St Kilda has claimed Western Bulldogs midfielder Shane Birss in a trade that will see the Saints give up their fourth round selection (No.59) in the NAB AFL Draft to the Dogs. Birss, 23, played 51 matches and kicked 20 goals for the Bulldogs from 2002-06 although he managed just three appearances for the Dogs in an injury-marred season this year. He was an emergency for the opening five rounds of the 2006 season before sustaining an ankle injury for Werribee in the VFL in the AFL equivalent of round seven. He then missed six matches. After returning via the VFL, Birss eventually broke into the senior side in round 19 and remained in the side until round 21 when a foot injury forced him to miss the Dogs' final three matches for the season - including their two finals matches.
The Article Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/12Oct06
More Shane Birss and Draft Articles Here (+ images)

Lyon moves to keep Milne
New St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has moved quickly to keep goalsneak Stephen Milne at Moorabbin. While Essendon had shown interest in Milne and spoke to him yesterday, Lyon said he wanted to retain the small forward. The Saints and Milne, who was out of contract, agreed yesterday to a two-year deal.
The Article Daryl Timms/HeraldSun/13Oct06
Clock ticking on Skipworth deal Michelangelo Russi/AdelaideAdvertiser/13Oct06
Pies drop out of bid for Johnson Greg Denham/TheAustralian/13Oct06

Swans want action to ensure fair trades
Swans recruiting manager Stuart Maxfield has called on the AFL to appoint mediators with binding powers to help player trades, and he believes clubs and players could eventually become so frustrated by the current system they will challenge the AFL's trade rules in court . . . Coincidentally, Hawthorn themselves were yesterday exploring a restraint-of-trade case against Carlton over the Blues' refusal to entertain a trade for full-back Bret Thornton . . . "At the moment it's just crazy. You're working all week to get a deal done and it doesn't happen until five minutes to two on Friday," Maxfield said. "That's going to stop some players bettering or extending their careers, which I'm sure is what the AFL wants."
The Article Richard Hinds, Michael Gleeson and Stephen Rielly/SydneyMorningHerald/13Oct06
Trading Picks 'bungiton' et al/saintsational.com
Longmire sticks with Swans Sportal/13Oct06

Mondays back on agenda
Monday night football returns next season, with a Western Bulldogs-Melbourne clash scheduled for Telstra Dome in Round 7. The match, set to start at 7.10pm, will be a Bulldogs home fixture. Although the Dogs have pushed to make Monday night their own, the AFL move is designed more to lighten the load on Mother's Day . . .
• A Friday night game between Melbourne and St Kilda at the MCG has been listed to kick off the season.
• Port Adelaide and St Kilda clashed on Monday night at AAMI Stadium in Round 4 this year, which was Anzac Day eve.
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/13Oct06

Radio rights set
The AFL's radio rights are expected to be announced today. Triple M, 3AW, ABC and SEN will share the rights, with official documents likely to be signed this morning. It is understood Triple M and 3AW have both committed to pay more than $900,000 a year for three years . . . 3AW only recently came to terms with the AFL. SEN is the AFL newcomer after successfully pitching to be added to the commercial AM band mix.
The Article Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/13Oct06

Breakthrough package for South African footy
The Australian Football League appear to be following through on their commitment to footy in South Africa, with perhaps the biggest single increase in international Australian Football development in the game's history. This should result in a rapid expansion in staff and player numbers . . . The AFL's International and Talent Manager, Kevin Sheehan, is reported as saying that the AFL clubs that joined the drive into the region would have early access to identifying talented youngsters that could come to Australia through the International Scholarship Scheme.
The Article Brett Northe/WorldFootyNews/13Oct06

Tiwis take a leap in their hopes for the side
The football season is about to start in the Northern Territory. At 2.30pm tomorrow the Tiwi Islands' own Australian rules football side - the Tiwi Bombers - will run onto an oval in Darwin to play in their first match in the Northern Territory Football League. Not since a Japanese bomber crash- landed on the islands 80 kilometres north of Darwin in World War II has there been so much excitement. The match is believed to be the first by an all-Aboriginal side in a major Australian football league competition.
The Article Lindsay Murdoch/TheAge RealFooty/13Oct06