Archives - 2006 POST SEASON

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BRAGGING RIGHTS Actions speak louder than words. Rather than the club saying, 'we're serious', they're proving it - with a new coach, a new football department and a couple of new ruckman . . . Membership doesn't just get you all 11* home games at the Dome, it also makes the wins more thrilling. And it gives you the right, when we win, to shout at the top of your lungs that our boys are the real deal. For your right to brag, get onto saints.com.au Phone 1300 734 134 Membership Info * Interstate, country and overseas memberships may have a different package 'Bragging Rights' derived from the advertisment published on The Age on Saturday 16th Dec Discussion 'saintbrat' et al saintsational.com _________________________________ 2007 . . . Lots to watch out for . . . by 'saintsRrising' Well ignoring whether we actually win or lose in 2007 it promises to be a most interesting year for the avid Saints football watcher. There is going to be a lot to look out for, a lot to watch, a lot to analyse and ponder on: • Armitage looks to bea real talent and should play quite a number of senior games in2007 • With a swag of new younger players and 6 interesting rookies we are all going to have to find time to take io some casey Games. Howard will be an interesting one...a surprise early selection. We should not expect to see too much of him at senior level in his first year...and as an athlete who needs to becomea footballer there should be alot to watch out for at Casey. • McQualter is now set to bloom . . . but will he? • Brooks is now also set to bloom . . . but will he? That last game against the Lions showed us what he can do . . . will he deliver in 2007? • The Saints ruck divison of Gardiner, Clarke, Rix and Brooks is potentially looking as good as it has since the Spider/Vidovic days. Will Gardy go AWOL or keep to the straight and narrow? Will Clarke be good for another year or two. Will Rix step up a bit more with aseason under his belt. Will our midfield relsih havinga more cpable ruck? Will more set plays be evident? • Will the Clarkes get over their injuries? • How many games will Hamill play? will he have an impact in the finals? • Ball struggled with injury in 2006 . . . can he be less affected in 2007? • Can Maguire come back successfully in 2007 . . . or will it really be more like 2008? • Lenny is set for game one. Will he be on all cylinders by then . . . or will it be more like mid-season? • Kosi will start at CHB . . . will he excel in this position? He has probably his best pre-seasn to date . . . but will that injury curse strike again? • Gram was our big improver of 2006 along with BJ. Will both of them continue on at this or a higher level in 2007? • Coaching . Will RL and his new team of assistants make a difference? Will a new game plan be on show? will the Saints be a harder team? • If Blake plays a senior game . . . what postion will he be tried in? • Will Stach's great work of 2006 be improved upon in 2007 with reduction in soft tissue injuries. • 2006 was a very bad year for impact injuries . . . and the year prior we had Roo's collabone. Can we escape them in 2007. • Milney stats wise had an ok season, but he was cleraly out of favour with the coaches and rarely played in the role that he seemed born to play; Crumbing forward pocket. Will he play there and return to the form that we know that he can deliver? • The GTrain . . . had a pretty fair year . . . but at times was off the rails in 2006. Can RL fully unlock the big fellas talents in 2007? • Dal at times really struggled with being tagged in 2006. Has he learnt from it to enable him to step up and be the star we know that he can be??? • And lastly . . . Roo is now really fully fit again . . . and bigger and stronger. We all know that he is as superb player . . . but in 2007 we he really dominate the competion? . I think it will. The Post 'saintsRrising' saintsational.com _________________________________ 2007 Guernsey Replica As shown in the Saints Online Shop With Bill Express and Skins logos on front and Vodafone logo on back • Online Shop afl.com.au

TRAINING REPORTS WEDNESDAY 20th
Footy kicks on despite smoke
Despite the visible smog and EPA air quality readings, AFL team . . . St Kilda kept their scheduled pre-season training sessions this morning at . . . Moorabbin. A St Kilda club spokeswoman said the smoke was "not that bad" and better than last week, when the Saints also took to the track. "They've trained the whole time," she said.
The Article TheAge/20Dec06
Training reports 'my les foote' et al saintsational.com

FRIDAY TRAINING
'Saintbot' has produced another amazing Training report for interested supporters. It includes clear and detailed information and graphs to explain the drills undertaken. This report keeps supporters around the globe 100% up-to-date with exactly whats happening on the hollowed turf at Moorabbin. The report is also accompanied by a pile digital images. 'pwoit' has taken around 60 more images and they are managed by a simple and effective online gallery that will certainly put you in the picture.
TRAINING REPORT FRIDAY 15TH DEC 'SaintBot' saintsational.com
TRAINING IMAGES FRIDAY 15TH DEC 'pwoit' saintsational.com
TRAINING REPORT WEDNESDAY 13TH 'joffaboy' saintsational.com
TRAINING REPORT WEDNESDAY 13TH 'SaintBot' saintsational.com
TRAINING REPORT FRIDAY 8TH 'spiral2' saintsational.com
TRAINING PICS FRIDAY 8TH 'spiral2'
TRAINING REPORT WEDNESDAY 6TH 'st.mart' saintsational.com

Clinton Jones

Drought won't stop Saints camp
St Kilda will honour a commitment to hold its community camp on the Mornington Peninsula even though the drought is likely to prohibit use of the region's playing ovals. Saints chief executive Archie Fraser said it was important the club spent time in the region, regardless of forced changes to fitness and conditioning drills. "We'll just work through whatever they tell us," Fraser said of the February 6-9 camp. "We will happily modify whatever it was that was planned to work within those restrictions." Only nine of Mornington Peninsula's 53 sports ovals are being irrigated, and with harsher weather conditions forecast for the next two months, it is possible none will be available for training by February. Mornington Peninsula parks contract co-ordinator Greg Powell said without significant rain it was likely the Saints would only be granted access to foreshore and open-space reserves.
The Article Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/16Dec06

LEARNING FROM LEGENDS
Interview by John Eales, The Age 15th December
Nathan Burke: Played 323 games for St Kilda, captain 1996-2000.
Cometh the hour cometh the man . . . but sometimes he doesn't. With a solitary behind by Barry Breen defining St Kilda's only previous triumph 31 years earlier, all was humming at half?time in the 1997 AFL grand final against the Adelaide Crows. With the Saints looking strong and leading by 13 points, the stage was set for another group of heroes to emerge. They did, but they were South Australian. One in particular was Darren Jarman, who kicked five goals in the final quarter to spearhead a Crows debut flag. That grand final was a defining moment for Nathan Burke. "I look back now and realise that we had an opportunity, and leadership is all about taking opportunities, no matter how small. After a game is over it is too late. I left it to the coach and his assistant coaches to make the moves to try and stop Jarman; all I could do was really encourage the guy on him to keep going, keep going, keep going. But, at the end of the day, perhaps if I had the gumption I could have dragged another player to stand on him" . . .
The Thread 'saintbrat' et al saintsational.com
Nathan Burke The Age - Photo: Sebastian Contanzo

New pin-up boy for South Africa?
As the AFL continues its push into South Africa, role models for budding young players can be an important factor. Obviously it will be much more significant when a player groomed in a local competition is drafted into the Australian Football League, but in the meantime AFL South Africa may be able to leverage the recent rookie listing of a young player born in their country. St Kilda has added Luke van Rheenen to their rookie list in the recent drafts. Playing for Scoresby under 18's in 2006, van Rheenen was born in South Africa. He is reportedly a mobile ruckman standing 201 cm and currently 18. He capatined the juniors and played three senior matches. Of course rookie listing with the Saints is only the first step, so AFL South Africa no doubt will hope he continues on to make the senior list and establish himself in the AFL.
The Article Brett Northey/worldfootynews.com/18Dec06

Scoresby smokey's rise to the big time
Until last Tuesday morning, Luke van Rheenen was best known to local football watchers as the giant ruckman that spearheaded Scoresby's charge to the EFL Division 2 Colts Grand Final. Now, van Rheenen can proudly call himself a St Kilda footballer. Following in the steps of suburban smokies James Gwilt and Justin Sweeney, van Rheenen was picked up by the Saints in last week's AFL rookie draft. It was a rapid rise for a player who has just three senior games to his credit, but he's looking forward to learning the game from the likes of Saints stars Nick Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke and Fraser Gehrig. "I was nervous as hell at the first training session," van Rheenen admitted.
The Article Knox Leader/19Dec06
Luke van Rheenen

Seconds and depth
I think casey will be the big winners in 07 . . . some excellent recruits, six rookies, development of younger players and surely we will not have a dozen key injuries every week . . . I honestly wish that we had a seconds team, but that is a pipe dream . . . but if we had 0 injuries (never happens) this is what our two's might look like . . .

Not bad . . . 8 all australian Under 18's - 4 first round Draft Picks - 1 200 game player - VFL ruckman of the year - Dual WAFL club B&F.
and some other experience afl players . . .
The Post and Thread 'st.mart' saintsational.com

Foxtel big money flies with $70m for AFL
PAY-TV provider Foxtel has lodged a revised offer for AFL rights worth up to $70 million, but reached no agreement with the Seven and Ten consortium. Premier Media Group chief David Malone made the offer late yesterday on behalf of Foxtel and its regional affiliate, Austar. Premier runs the Fox Sports channels, which are carried by both providers. It is understood Foxtel's $70 million a year offer yesterday was made up of $50 million in cash plus $7.5 million worth of contra advertising. Foxtel also offered to pick up production costs that could be valued at up to $15 million a year. Seven and Ten rejected the Foxtel offer at yesterday's meeting but the possibility of further talks was left open.
The Article Mark Day/TheAustralian/20Dec06
Foxtel rejected in bid to show four games weekly Caroline Wilson/TheAgeRealFooty/20Dec06
TV talks fade to black Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/20Dec06

Dylan Pfitzner to Central District Bulldogs
. . . After an injury-interrupted run while on the St Kilda rookie list then senior list for a year 2003 under 19s premiership, centre half forward Dylan Pfitzner has returned to play with the Dogs . . . "Dylan could be a surprise packet, adding height to our forward line and being able to be used as a pinch hitter in ruck." (said Central District Football Club CEO Kris Grant.)
The Article BarossaHerald/20Dec06

Pies squeeze out Eagles
West Coast chairman Dalton Gooding has warned that the WA football giant is about to be left in Collingwood's wake in terms of earning capacity if a quick solution isn't found to the major stadium issue. Gooding's warning came after remarkable claims by Magpie president and football powerbroker Eddie McGuire that the club would turn over a massive $57 million in 2007. If McGuire's prediction is accurate, the Magpies could put an extraordinary gap of almost $20 million between themselves and the Eagles in the space of just two years. And the worrying thing for the Eagles is that with Subiaco Oval already full for their games, they have little scope to improve at all, let alone at the amazing rate that Collingwood are growing. "The stadium issue is becoming bigger and bigger," Gooding said after learning of McGuire's prediction. Collingwood and the Eagles were the AFL's two biggest earners in 2005, with the Magpies turning over about $37 million and West Coast around $36 million. This year, Collingwood's earnings leapt to $44 million for a club record $2 million profit while West Coast generated $4.6 million profit out of turnover of $37.5 million. "My view is that Collingwood is now a very well run club with a strong brand and the ability to develop a very strong balance sheet," Gooding said. "It allows them to invest heavily in research and development and in high quality people."
The Article Mark Duffield/WestAustralian/23Dec06

Clinton Jones Images - Thanks to Marty Atkins, Football Manager, South Fremantle Football Club for the images. "You certainly have got a good player and a good bloke in Clint Jones and he will do everything possible to play in the Red, White & Black, Matty said. - Click thumbnails for a larger view.
Pics of New Players 'saints_rule23' et al saints.com.au

Clarke bros attend Aaron Davey's wedding
Melbourne star Aaron Davey kicked his biggest goal yesterday when he married sweetheart Anna Rowe in Darwin. The Demons star was all smiles as he celebrated with 130 guests, including teammates Matthew Whelan, Travis Johnstone, Ben Holland and Jared Rivers. Other AFL players on the guest list included Port Adelaide's Daniel Motlop and brothers Peter and Shaun Burgoyne and St Kilda's Rafael and Xavier Clarke. Davey's best man was friend Dayle Muscat, while groomsmen included brothers Alwyn and Russell Davey, Port Adelaide star Daniel Motlop and friends Mark Mueller and David Salee.
The Article Kasey Brunt/HeraldSun/28Dec06
Robert "Bomber" Atkinson died Rebecca Williams/HeraldSun/28Dec06
Gardiner and Heatley Stands future Paul Daffey/TheAgeRealFooty/27Dec06

McLean to coach Indigenous All-Stars again
Michael McLean says he will be speaking to a host of former greats before finalising his coaching support staff for next year's AFL Indigenous All-Stars clash with Essendon. The Bombers great has been selected to coach the All-Stars for a third time after leading the team to wins over Carlton in 2003 and the Western Bulldogs in 2005. The All-Stars will take on the Bombers at Marrara Stadium in Darwin on February 9.
The Article ABCSport/22Dec06
Indigenous team to play Essendon AAP/TheAgeRealFooty/22Dec06

AFL confirms African juniors for 2007 All-Stars game
The AFL has confirmed that the 2007 "Once in a Dreamtime" game, to be played in Darwin between Essendon and an Aboriginal All-Stars side, will feature South Africa's under 19s taking on the Qantas AFL Indigenous Youth Team as the curtain-raiser. The Africans will be touring Australia in February in the sequel to the successful youth tour to South Africa by an indigenous Australian squad in February 2006.
The Article Brett Northey/worldfootynews.com/23Dec06

Proxies vote for Seven's spin-off
Seven Network has ended a strong year with its shareholders voting overwhelmingly in favour of a $4 billion spin-off of the group's media assets . . . Seven is selling its TV, magazine and online businesses into a new joint venture with US private equity group Kohlberg Kravis Roberts for $3.2 billion in cash . . . Seven and Ten are also continuing negotiations with SBS to take the Friday and Sunday night AFL games in the northern markets after rejecting a $50 million offer for the AFL pay-TV rights from Foxtel and Austar . . . But with Seven flush with $3.2 billion in cash, any loss on the AFL rights can be easily borne by Seven. However, the AFL's other free-to-air TV network, Ten, has already warned that the AFL will significantly increase its 2007 costs.
The Article Jane Schulze/TheAustralian/22Dec06
AFL TV rights stalemate stretches on Glenn Dyer/crikey.com.au/22Dec06
SBS bids for AFL scraps Chris Bassani/CourierMail/22Dec06
Ten, Seven divide finals spoils Caroline Wilson/TheAgeRealFooty/22Dec06
Foxtel shut out of AFL deal Lisa Murray/SMH/22Dec06

AFL practice matches are in doubt
The drought is set to hit AFL practice matches in country Victoria . . . The Bendigo Weekly can reveal that just one country centre is in the running to attract two AFL Clubs for a pre season game in March, but we face a four hour drive from Bendigo to capture all the action. Mildura is on the potential list of venues, along with Casey Fields on the outskirts of Melbourne, Mount Gambier and Narrandera. The AFL says it will continue to monitor the situation in the new year before making a final decision.
The Article BendigoWeekly/29Dec06

Footy deal sellout claim
The $15 million Hawthorn Football sponsorship deal has copped new criticism amid claims it is shipping Tasmanian jobs and revenue to the mainland. State Opposition sport spokesman Jeremy Rockliff has heard that local ticketing box offices have lost the sales to Tasmanian games to an interstate firm. He said Melbourne-based company Ticketmaster and the Hawthorn Football Club would handle the sales and reap the commission next year.
The Article Phillipa Duncan/TheMercury/30Dec06

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