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Hall talks-up Longmire
John Longmire's credentials as a senior coach in waiting continue to grow with Sydney's Barry Hall describing the 1990 Coleman Medalist as the biggest influence on his career. Hall said if Longmire, the favourite to be appointed the new senior coach at St Kilda, were to leave the Swans next year it would be a "massive loss" for the club. "But I also understand that John wants to make a career out of it (coaching) and he would be really good at it, but it would be a big hole for us to fill," Hall said here on Wednesday as the Swans continued preparations for Saturday's Grand Final re-match against West Coast. Hall has played the best football of his career since Longmire was appointed as the Swans' chief assistant coach and forward coach by Paul Roos once Roos took over as senior coach from Rodney Eade in the second half of the 2002 season. And Hall admitted Longmire's affect on him since becoming the Swans' forward coach has been massive.
The Article Paul Gough/AFL/saints.com.au/27Sep06

AFL games all likely to be televised free
AFL fans could be in for an unprecedented feast of free television coverage from next year, with Channels Seven and Ten now almost certain to show every game, according to league chief Andrew Demetriou. Just days before Foxtel is scheduled to shut down its Fox Footy channel this weekend, the pay TV provider has shown no signs of making a new offer for a three or four-game package. "We are preparing the fixture (for next year) on the basis all eight games will be shown on free-to-air television," said Demetriou. "I fully believe that will be the outcome."
The Article Caroline Wilson/TheAge RealFooty/28Sep06

McKenna earns a second interview with Saints
Collingwood assistant coach Guy McKenna has been invited back for a second interview for the vacant St Kilda coaching position. McKenna has already been interviewed once by Ian Foote of Stride Management, the group that St Kilda engaged to canvass and sort through the initial list of candidates, and has had psychological testing . . . The Saints, however, are in no rush to make the appointment and it is understood that it is increasingly unlikely to be made before the October trading period - meaning that the club will make some significant list and trading decisions without the input of the new coach . . . Longmire was yesterday named assistant coach of the year by the AFL Coaches Association.
The Article Jake Niall/TheAge RealFooty/27Sep06

Saint is marked for life after grab
Just as Leo Barry soared into history with his mark in the dying moments of last year's grand final, enabling Sydney to hold out West Coast, former St Kilda full-back Bob Murray performed a similar feat against Collingwood in the 1966 grand final. Murray yesterday stepped outside the Wangaratta Rovers' clubrooms, where he was enjoying post-season drinks with the team he coaches, the Rovers' reserves, to recall the mark he took for the Saints 40 years ago. "When you're playing, you don't think what stage of the match it is," he said. "The ball came down; I had to mark it." It was far from the most spectacular mark that Murray took in his 153 games, which included 13 finals, but it's remembered as the mark that repelled the Magpies' final thrust and enabled the Saints to win the grand final by a point.
The Article TheAge RealFooty/26Sep06

Last rites finally for the coach having to be Jock of all trades
The rather optimistic view that one man could run a football club was put to its death bed when St Kilda sacked Grant Thomas. Geelong's decision to take administration duties away from Mark Thompson is the symbolic turning off of the life support system. The AFL will have no Sir Alex Ferguson. Responsibility for performance must be widely spread. Rod Butterss, the St Kilda president who had so enthusiastically backed Thomas early in his coaching career, says clubs need personnel in specialist positions who are "best of breed". Butterss has a doctorate in jargon but his point is well made nonetheless. No one person is sufficiently skilled to have the required knowledge to run football clubs top to bottom. From recruiting, to physical training, player development, media relationships, contract negotiations, tactical innovation through to knowledge of the latest in sport science . . . St Kilda had Thomas on notice for 12 months. Halfway through this season, agents for the club were inquiring about the availability of some of the league's leading coaches. Within days of St Kilda's season ending so too did the career of Thomas as an AFL coach.
The Article Patrick Smith/TheAustralian/26Sep06

300 people farewell Brutus Smith
. . . Smith, who grew up in the Victorian town of Tyntynder near Swan Hill, played 56 games for Richmond in the early 1980s and a further 44 for St Kilda. His hard-nut defending earned him the nickname "Brutus", but it was his larrikin nature, his love for a drink and his ability to befriend almost everyone he met that won him most renown . . . Around 300 people gathered to farewell Smith, who died of cancer last week aged 47. At least one hundred more were forced to watch from outside. Among the better known faces in a crowd unmistakeable for the tall, broad-shouldered frames of former footballers were past teammates Mick Malthouse, David Cloke and Kevin Bartlett, as well as current Richmond coach Terry Wallace.
A Tiger of old remembered by former teammates
Christian Catalano/TheAge RealFooty/26Sep06

Allan Jeans to present Jock McHale Medal
The league announced Bob Skilton or Glen Jakovich, giants in the histories of the two competing clubs, will present the trophy . . . The AFL had previously announced coaching legend Allan Jeans would present the Jock McHale medal to the premiership coach, while 1984 Norm Smith Medallist Bill Duckworth will put that award around the neck of the best player in the grand final.
The Article TheAustralian/26Sep06

Lyon in Saint mix
Garry Lyon remains in the mix for the St Kilda senior coaching role. Sources say Lyon has flagged his interest in the job but is torn between his media career and a desire to coach. Lyon was coy yesterday when asked about him replacing the sacked Grant Thomas. "I'm contracted to Channel 9 for three more years and all I'm thinking about is my role at the network," he said. "If anything needs addressing and if I was involved in 10 years or before then, I'm doing it on my terms and not through the media." Lyon has not categorically ruled out a tilt at the Saints jo
The Article Jim Wilson/HeraldSun/27Sep06
Eagles want Tarrant talks Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/27Sep06

Take flying leap: AFL to Holden
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou last night called plans for the Holden airship to hover near the MCG poor form. "It's ambush marketing and I think it reflects poorly on them (Holden)," Demetriou said. The league is sensitive about the blimp because Holden car rival Toyota is a major sponsor. Toyota is furious that Holden is prepared to gatecrash AFL events. The AFL denies rumours it has chartered three Cessnas to patrol the airspace above and near the stadium in an attempt to shepherd the blimp away.
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/27Sep06
Try to stop us, flyers say Matthew Schulz/HeraldSun/27Sep06
AFL names umps AAP/SundayTimesPerth/26Sep06
Beazley backs West Coast AAP/TheAge/27Sep06
Crackdown on fake merchandise
Dan Oakes/TheAge RealFooty/27Sep06
Final all booked out Bridie Smith/TheAge RealFooty/27Sep06
Booze crackdown on AFL grand final day AAP/TheAge/26Sep06

Thommo wants to be wanted
Veteran Saints midfielder Andrew Thompson believes the new coach of St Kilda will ultimately have the final say about whether the 34-year-old will continue his career into 2007. Having already expressed his desire to play on after running out for 17 games this year, Thompson said he hopes the soon-to-be-appointed coach of the Saints echoes his own sentiments and allows him to play on next season. "I've told the club I'm keen to play on but I think the new coach will decide if he wants me to go on," Thompson told Sportal on Tuesday. "I've certainly got the desire to play on and feel like I can still play good football. Although I'm 34, I've only been playing AFL for 10 years so my body is still in good shape compared to other 34-year-olds around."
The Article Jen Witham/Sportal/saints.com.au/26Sep06
AFL Coaches Association Awards 'Oh When the Saints' saintsational.com

Radio to deliver every AFL game live
Every AFL game will be broadcast live in Melbourne next year in a radical shake-up of the competition's radio rights, which look set to reap the league an estimated $8 million between 2007 and 2009. Under the two-tiered deal, 3AW and Triple M go head-to-head calling four of the eight weekly AFL games, including the Saturday afternoon match of the day. The ABC and newcomer SEN will each call five games, but will get second choice of matches on most Saturday afternoons and Saturday nights. The AFL-SEN deal is all but signed. While network sources suggested last night that SEN may be paying as much as $1.5 million over three years, final arrangements have not been completed. As part of the deal, the AFL is expected to invest in SEN, a public company, through an options deal. Under the new arrangements, all interstate Saturday night games will now be broadcast into Melbourne.
The Article Caroline Wilson/TheAge RealFooty/27Sep06

Opportunity knocks for Saints
Dear Rod, Right now, I can't reveal my identity. I'm still coaching in some capacity in the finals. But gee, your list is tantalising. How often does an untried coach get this opportunity? So I'd like to steal a march and give a quick run-down of where I reckon you're at. Don't worry, I'll be calling as soon as we're knocked out. First, though, some negatives. As much as the Saints are a top-eight list, your old mate Grant Thomas was right. The group is a little overrated. The top 10 players are as good as any, but depth is a concern. They say you're only as good as your bottom six and, at times, you were exposed in that area this year.
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/26Sep06

Harvey urges patience
St Kilda veteran Robert Harvey has urged the Saints board to take their time when appointing the new senior coach to ensure the right person is given the job. While Harvey recognised the need to have Grant Thomas' successor in place as soon as possible with the club to resume training in November, he said it was a decision that should be thoroughly considered. "It's obviously important but it's also important to get the right person," Harvey told Sportal on Monday. "If it takes them an extra couple of weeks, I think they should wait. It's too important a decision to rush." The dual Brownlow medallist emphasised how the board's decision to sack Thomas caught the playing group by surprise but reiterated the only option was now to move forward. "Obviously it was a shock to the players," he said. "We're on our break so we haven't caught up since that meeting we had the day after it happened so obviously we'll just let it all sink in and get back into training."
The Article Jen Witham/Sportal/saints.com.au/25Sep06

German - Assistant for Longmire?
Subiaco have a shortlist of replacements for senior coach Peter German should he not continue in the role after Sunday's WAFL grand final against South Fremantle. German's second two-year contract with the Lions expires at the end of the season and there is speculation he will return to Victoria. The 41-year-old is a close friend and former Kangaroos teammate of Sydney assistant coach John Longmire, who is a frontrunner for the vacant St Kilda AFL coaching post. German, who recently sold his Perth house, could be in line for an assistant's role if Longmire is appointed to the Saints following the completion of finals commitments with the Swans. Subiaco chief executive Jeff Lind said the club's board had agreed to give German extra time to consider his future but were expecting a decision within two weeks. "He prefers the footy culture over in Melbourne. We're a bit laid back here in Perth," Lind said.
Lions make plans for life after German Ross Lewis/TheAge RealFooty/22Sep06
Grateful Lions to give German free rein Ross Lewis/TheAge RealFooty/25Sep06
Subiaco romps to WA premiership Ross Lewis/TheAge RealFooty/25Sep06

What a grand quandary
. . . For a real Australian football fan the only thing worse than a grand final between a team from Sydney and a team from Perth is a grand final between two teams from Adelaide . . . It's not a case of cheering the team you most want to win, but cheering the one you least want to lose.
The Article Mike Colman/CourierMail/26Sep06
AFL Grand Final ticket sale Karen Collier & Sam Edmund/HeraldSun/25Sep06
Additional flights for AFL grand final AAP/TheAge/25Sep06
Ticket hopes fade for fans on the outer Martin Philip/WestAustralian/25Sep06

Saints trade without coach
St Kilda may not have a coach during the critical October trade period, with the club determined to find the right candidate rather than rush its decision . . . Sydney assistant John Longmire is one of the leading candidates to replace Grant Thomas and he would not have been able to meet with the sub-committee until after the Grand Final. Assistant coaches, including Collingwood's Guy McKenna, St Kilda's Matt Rendell, Brisbane Lions' John Blakey and the Bulldogs' Chris Bond, are expected to be in the first batch of interviews.
The Article Jon Ralpah & Jon Pierik/HeraldSun/24Sep06

Time has come for Longmire
. . . In 2000, Wayne Brittain was the AFL's in-vogue assistant coach. He had virtually accepted the St Kilda coaching position after Tim Watson's departure but was convinced by a posse of Carlton footballers to remain and ultimately take over as senior coach. Now St Kilda is looking for its third coach since parting with Watson, despite a list widely regarded as among the best in the AFL. Carlton sacked Brittain for Denis Pagan after two years, and for a plethora of reasons - many outside Pagan's control - is the basket case of the AFL . . . Longmire is as fashionable today as Brittain was six years ago but there is plenty of evidence to suggest his likely rise will not end in tears. He has refused to discuss Davis' snub and had no issue with it, anyway . . . But you only had to watch the performance of what is clearly the best forward line remaining in the finals race to understand why Longmire was looked at by Geelong as a potential replacement for Mark Thompson and why St Kilda will not start to make a call on its next coach until after the grand final.
The Article Caroline Wilson/TheAge RealFooty/24Sep06

Adelaide consider Gardener or Everett
Adelaide will examine all avenues to replace injured lead ruckman Rhett Biglands, including a play for West Coast wild child Michael Gardiner or Hawthorn's Peter Everitt. Gardiner is suddenly on the Crows' radar after a second devastating blow to their 2007 premiership chances, while Everitt is available after severing ties with the Hawks. It was yesterday learnt Biglands would miss all of next season with a knee injury, joining key forward Trent Hentschel on the long-term injury list. A specialist confirmed Biglands, 29, had snapped the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee when he fell over team-mate Nathan van Berlo in the second quarter of Saturday's preliminary final loss to West Coast at AAMI Stadium.
The Article Andrew Capel/AdelaideAdvertiser/28Sep06

Deal may see Johnson exit Dons' hangar
Two-time Essendon best-and-fairest winner Jason Johnson could walk away from Windy Hill if his dispute with the Bombers is not resolved. Melbourne yesterday emerged as his potential new club after the Demons indicated their willingness to discuss the future of the 28-year-old midfielder . . . Meanwhile, Carlton is confident of retaining its required players, including Brad Fisher and Bret Thornton, who are both out of contract . . . Richmond confirmed its interest in Fremantle key-position player Graham Polak, but football director Greg Miller said the Tigers would not start to lobby for a trade until he had spoken to Polak, which he said was likely to happen within a week . . . Adelaide will start 2007 with a completely new ruck division than the one it finished with in 2006.
The Article Greg Denham/TheAustralian/28Sep06

Thornton may leave Blues for Hawthorn
Carlton full-back Bret Thornton might have played his last game for the Blues, with the 22-year-old understood to have privately indicated that he is prepared to move to Hawthorn. Thornton flew out of Melbourne on Tuesday, destined for Thailand with a group of Carlton teammates, but did so after leaving behind a power of attorney with his manager, Anthony McConville, and an impression with several people close to him that a switch is more likely than not . . . The AFL Commission voted on Monday to reject Carlton's request for the reinstatement of the 2002 priority pick that was taken from the club as part of its penalty for systematic salary cap breaches during the 1990s. The commission also learnt of the conclusions former St Kilda chief executive Jim Watts reached after his league-sanctioned investigation of Carlton's operations.
The Article Stephen Rielly/TheAge RealFooty/28Sep06

Moody to go west
Brisbane looks set to lose another young gun back to Western Australia with Matthew Moody's management team telling the Lions they only want a one-year deal that would free him up for a return to Fremantle in 2008. And the club's hope that triple premiership defender Mal Michael would play on next season also appears futile. Michael is to meet coach Leigh Matthews today, but unless a massive compromise is reached that would allow him to reduce his training regime, he is likely to make the decision to end his career immediately.
The Article Andrew Hamilton/CorierMail/28Sep06
Mal Michael set to quit Andrew Hamilton and Jim Wilson/FoxFooty/28Sep06

Fox Footy - over, out
The demise of a long-running program is a sad enough occasion in television, so imagine the heartbreak associated with the death of a channel. Which is exactly what will happen across Australia in the early hours of next Sunday when the Fox Footy Channel disappears off our pay TV screens five years after it was launched as part of an overhaul of AFL broadcasting that changed the way we watched the game. At precisely 4am, after the second back-to-back replay of the previous day's grand final, the channel will cease transmission with the screen fading to black, nothing but footy 24 hours a day suddenly being replaced by a notice informing viewers that Foxtel no longer has the AFL rights.
The Article Geoff McClure/TheAge RealFooty/28Sep06
Free-to-air TV kicks off sports campaign AAP/TheAge/28Sep06
Foxtel 'threat' not to carry C7's AFL games just 'puffery' Kevin Andrusiak/TheAustralian/28Sep06
Boxing Day fans tipped to pip grand final crowd Caroline Wilson/TheAge RealFooty/28Sep06

Victoria rules no longer as the fans fan out
What are the qualities that determine whether a football club gets to play in a grand final? Is it the guile of the coach? Is it the commitment of the players? Perhaps, it is the passion of the supporters shouting from the sidelines. These factors might play some part in getting a club to a grand final but oddly enough, "demographics" is also important. The success of an AFL club, or indeed, of a club in any football code, is affected, if not determined, by the scale of the population base and the resources that can be marshalled. More resources means more funding which generally means a better on-field performance. There are 10 Victorian and six interstate clubs in the AFL. If all clubs were equal, then in any given decade, the Victorian clubs would win six premierships. Regardless of who wins this Saturday, the record will show that in the preceding ten years, Victorian clubs won two premierships . . .
The Article Bernard Salt/TheAustralian/28Sep06

Young talent on show
Some of the country's finest young talent will be on show at MC Labour Park on Thursday when the third annual clash between Victoria and The Allies Under-18s will be held as part of the Grand Final week festivities. Much of the aim of this match is to provide players from both teams an extra opportunity to increase their draft prospects. For AFL club recruiters it will be an important day as they too will further gain an insight into a significant talent base. All-Australian players Daniel Dzufer (Queensland), Nathan Djerrkura (Northern Territory) and Craig Bird (NSW/ACT) are set to line-up for The Allies who will have a number of other key players to keep an eye on . . . Tasmanian duo Jack Riewoldt (the cousin of St Kilda superstar Nick) and Tim Mohr; Northern Territory's Jethro Calma-Holt, Patrick Fittock and Trevor Oliver and New South Wales' Matt Suckling will also be worth watching.
The Article Matt Burgan/Sportal/saints.com.au/27Sep06

Saints Official Website content delays
AFL (Official) websites including St Kilda's have been experiencing delays in the release of new web stories. If anyone has difficulties seeing new content, or if old content is still appearing on a page, please do a 'hard refresh' - "Crtl + Refresh" to see the latest content. You should only have to do this once. Alternatively, you can press the refresh button on your website browser (eg Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox).
More information saints.com.au

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