Corporate Looking for new ideas ... general manager Russell Morris, left, and chief operating officer James Van Beek at the Moorabbin ground. Source: The Age Case Study Photo: Justin McManus (image cropped) St Kilda Football Club might be considered one of the best run AFL clubs financially but its failure to climb the Aussie Rules ladder is holding back its business growth. On-field losses hit footy club in the wallet . . . "We want to be taken seriously as a serious marketing option but how best do we position ourselves in the market as an advertising/marketing medium? There's millions and millions of dollars spent in sports marketing, ranging from everything from motor sports to the Olympics, so there's an enormous amount of competition." Not to mention the fact that St Kilda is up against 15 other similar Aussie Rules teams all under the strict control of the AFL. It means that even if it comes up with a bright new marketing idea not only does it have to run it by the AFL, any competitive advantage would only last a few months until the other clubs followed suit. John Stewart, Director, Stewarts Business Advisors - Make members winners regardless of AFL titles David Dandie, Head of Business Advisory and Training, Westpac - Consider partnerships beyond traditional structures Carolyn Stafford - Director - ConnectImplement a phone drive to obtain email addresses Ross Cameron, Chief Executive Officer, Cameron Research Group - Develop incentives to build on fans' loyalty Rajarshi Ray, Head of Small Business Services, American Express Australia - Target the smaller Saints to generate long-term loyalty On-field losses hit footy club in the wallet businessNetwork/theage.com.au/05Jul06 On-field losses hit footy club in the wallet BusinessNetwork/smh.com.au/05Jul06 St Kilda is an ideal case study of a football team running as an efficient small to medium enterprise (SME) that wants to grow bigger in the face of intense competition and other constraints. The business has 41 full-time employees to run the club plus 40 contracted players. The players account for about 50 per cent of the total costs and the other $10 million is spent running the club. "We have turned the club around from $3.5 million debt at the end of 2002 to being debt free in 2006," the chief operating officer, James Van Beek, points out proudly. Turnover in the past two years has been about $21 million with costs of $20 million - allowing for a profit or retained earnings of about $1 million.

Voss regrets not playing with brother
Leaving Brisbane just as the Lions were on the cusp of AFL greatness still stands as the boldest and best decision Brett Voss ever made in preserving his own career. But as the St Kilda defender prepares for his 150th game, against Collingwood at Telstra Dome in a vital round 14 clash for both sides, Voss realises more the lost opportunity he and his brother Michael had at the Lions, and regrets not having played more games alongside his superstar sibling.
The Article AAP/TheAge/08Jul06

Magpies take chance on Leon Davis
Collindwood has not ruled out injured small forward Leon Davis lining up against St Kilda at Telstra Dome on Sunday. Davis looked proppy yesterday while testing the corked thigh he suffered in a collision with Tiger Chris Newman at the MCG on Sunday. But, despite leaving the track early, coach Mick Malthouse said yesterday the goalsneak would be named in the squad of 25 in the hope he would improve sufficiently to take his place.
The Article Michael Horan/HeraldSun/07Jul06

Hudghton key for Saints
As a once dependable St Kilda full-back, Danny Frawley knows the unglamorous defending caper well . . . But if the Saints are to win the premiership, his (Max Hudghton) presence is crucial. And against the Magpies at Telstra Dome today, Hudghton will be one of the first players the fans look to - will he get Chris Tarrant or Anthony Rocca? "It always bemuses me when people talk about (Justin) Koschitzke and (Aaron) Hamill and Robert Harvey and (Lenny) Hayes and (Nick) Dal Santo," Frawley said. "They're all very good players, don't get me wrong, and they're star players, but somehow the old full-back doesn't have the same star attraction as the other players because he's seen as more saving games than winning them."
The Article Jackie Epstein/HeraldSun/09Jul06

Gram slam rebound
With the retirement of Aussie Jones and a new work ethic Jason Gram has gone back - and turned his AFL career around. Jason Gram is living his dream, playing alongside his hero Robert Harvey and with the team he has always idolised. The defender from Sale is having his career-best year, having played every match after fewer than 10 in his first four seasons of AFL.
The Article Ken Piesse/HeraldSun/09Jul06

"It's going to be a huge game. When you come up against a side near the top of the ladder, you want to take any chance you get to knock them off . . . Last year, we were able to string together seven wins in a row, so we'll take confidence from that and hopefully apply the same things this year." Luke Ball

Thomas lauds Powell
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas is full of admiration for the way veteran Saint Stephen Powell has forced his way back into the 22 for Sunday's clash against Collingwood at Telstra Dome. Powell has made just three appearances for the Saints in 2006 - the opening two matches of the season and in round eight - yet when he was dropped for round nine and returned to Casey Scorpions in the VFL (round eight), he was reported twice and subsequently rubbed out for a total of four matches.
The Article Matt Burgan/Sportal/saints.com.au/08Jul06

Versatile Voss cracks 150
Brett Voss will play his 150th AFL game this Sunday against Collingwood and while it's a relatively low-key milestone, it's worth noting the contribution the Queenslander has made since joining the Saints at the end of the 2000 season. Voss played his 100th game for the club in the memorable qualifying final win against Adelaide last year and has been one of the few constants in a line-up ravaged by injury in recent years.
The Article Jason Phelan/Sportal/saints.com.au/08Jul06

Kosi ready for VFL comeback
Justin Koschitzke will today play for the first time since he fractured his skull nine weeks ago, lining up for Casey Scorpions in a VFL reserves match to be played in Preston. St Kilda made the call after the injury-cursed 23-year-old joined in a training run at Moorabbin yesterday for today's clash with Collingwood at the MCG. "He's trained well and everything else has been good so he's ready to go," coach Grant Thomas said. "He came up to me after the session and said, 'Let's do it'. And that's all Kosi has to say. I said, 'Are you ready?' and he said, 'Yep, let's get it on'." Thomas, admitting the club had been over-zealous in reintroducing injured players to the seniors last year, said Koschitzke's return would be handled with extreme caution. He will wear a helmet and play only a half to start with. It could be three weeks before Koschitzke is recalled to the Saints' line-up.
The Article Michael Gleeson/TheAge/09Jul06
Koschitzke warning Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/09Jul06
Kosi for Casey seconds Matt Burgan/Sportal/saints.com.au/08Jul06
Teams: Kosi's (VFL) return unlikely Bruce Matthews/HeraldSun/08Jul06
Saints to decide today on Kosi (VFL) return Michael Gleeson/TheAge/08Jul06
Koschitzke on brink of comeback Mark Stevens /CourierMail/08Jul06

Ball delivers
. . . As the Saints prepare for their heavyweight clash against Collingwood this week, it's impossible not to think back to the teams' unforgettable Grand Final showdown 40 years ago - and the man who led the club to its only premiership triumph. Back in 1966, the idea of a captaincy rotation policy must have seemed as far-fetched as human cloning. While Baldock led the club in 104 games over six seasons, Ball will hold the role in an official capacity for only one year before passing on the baton. However, St Kilda's youngest captain remains confident of following in Baldock's footsteps up the premiership dais at season's end.
The Article John Murray/AFL Record/saints.com.au/07Jul06
The Saint Season Guide saints.com.au/07Jul06

The mongrel punt that launched lasting rivalry
. . . "St Kilda and Collingwood, because of that day have always had the makings of a big, traditional game," (Barry) Breen said. "When both sides have had good teams there is something really exciting about it and those expectations are heightened because both sides have had pretty ordinary footy teams at times over the last 40 years. In the past that has meant we often haven't had the full benefit of that rivalry but when you get a game like Sunday it really does mean something."
The Article Malcolm Conn/TheAustralian/08Jul06
Sour end to what might have been Michael Gleeson/TheAge/09Jul06
Fate denies champions Rohan Connolly/TheAge/09Jul06

Powell in for Schwarze
The St Kilda selectors have settled on just the one change for Sunday's match against Collingwood at Telstra Dome. Stephen Powell returns to the senior line-up for his first match since round eight against Carlton in place of Troy Schwarze who will miss with a hamstring strain. Raphael Clarke, Sam Gilbert and Allan Murray are the Saints' emergencies. There are three changes at Collingwood. Dale Thomas, named on Thursday on a half-forward flank has been joined in the line-up by Chad Morrison and Ben Davies who are both on interchange.
The Article Angus Morgan/saints.com.au/06Jul06

Four inclusions for Saints
The Saints have named four inclusions and have only one enforced change to their side to take on Collingwood at Telstra Dome on Sunday. With defender Troy Schwarze out with a hamstring injury the Saints have named Raphael Clarke, Sam Gilbert, Allan Murray and Stephen Powell on their extended bench. Clarke is a chance to play his first senior game this season and Gilbert his second. The foursome joins Aaron Fiora, Andrew McQualter and Justin Peckett on the seven-man interchange bench which will be culled before Sunday's game. The Magpies have taken a similar approach and have also named four inclusions with Harry O'Brien (omitted) the only member of last week's line-up certain to miss.
The Article AFL/saints.com.au/06Jul06
Preview: St Kilda Sugarfoot/Collingwoodfc/saints.com.au/06Jul06
Almost a sell-out Paul Gough/Sportal/saints.com.au/07Jul06

Dons want Aussie
Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy has identified former St Kilda player Aussie Jones as a possible recruit for next season. Jones walked away from the final year of his St Kilda contract this season and later became Narre Warren's playing coach. Sheedy, who also wooed Tim Watson and Paul Salmon back to Windy Hill after they spent a year in retirement, said last night Jones could definitely still play AFL.
The Article Daryl Timms/HeraldSun/07Jul06
Sheeds targets former Saint (Same as above) Daryl Timms/FoxFooty/07Jul06
Saints looking at Akka Andrew Hamilton/FoxFooty/07Jul06
Video referee review Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/07Jul06
Andrew Demetriou lands pay hike Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/07Jul06
Guerra urged to change Andrew Wu/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/07Jul06
Spida to be eased back Andrew Wu/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/07Jul06
Football bad for health Kate Jones/HeraldSun/08Jul06
Australian rules the No. 1 sport - for injury Dan Oakes/TheAge/08Jul06
Aka not in Swans' sights Michael Cowley/TheAge/08Jul06

Saints players go hi-tech
St Kilda is using revolutionary pocket-sized video players to swot up on the opposition before games. Every player and coach at the Saints has an Archos machine, which offers the luxury of last-minute cramming of personalised highlights in the rooms. In an AFL first, the Saints have spent $50,000 to buy 50 of the French-designed machines. Players and coaches can transfer edited highlights from 16 desktop computers at the club on to their Archos. Just when Adelaide seemed to have cornered the technology market, the Saints have stolen a march on others by enabling players to create a go-everywhere library of strengths and weaknesses of opponents.
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/05Jul06
No quick way back for Brodie Michael Horan/HeraldSun/05Jul06
'Pies optimistic about Cloke AAP/FoxFooty/05Jul06

Koschitzke still waits
St Kilda star Justin Koschitzke is on the brink of a long-awaited comeback after another successful training session yesterday. The only question remaining is whether it will be this week or next week. Although Koschitzke was last night not selected to play for St Kilda's VFL affiliate Casey Scorpions on Sunday, he could yet be a late inclusion. The 23-year-old may put his hand up to play today, depending on how he pulls up from yesterday's closed session. He could also wait to make his final call after the Saints' light tune-up scheduled for tomorrow. St Kilda coach Grant Thomas is simply waiting for his prized commodity to tell him he is ready to resume from a fractured skull.
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/07Jul06

Stop living in dream world
. . . "We're playing one of the best sides," Malthouse said. "We're playing a side which made the preliminary final over the past two years, so that gives you an illustration where we've come from to who we're playing . . . That (St Kilda's 2004 and 2005 preliminary final teams) are roughly the side that will go down the race on the weekend. We're playing a side that has proved itself to be a very good football side. We haven't played in the finals for two years."
The Article Malcolm Conn/TheAustralian/07Jul06

Malthouse dampens expectations
. . . "I'd like to remind you again that we were 15th last year - we've won almost double the amount of games than we did last year - my expectations may not be the same as everyone else's. We're a nine-and-four side at the moment and that's around about reflective of the way that we're playing." Malthouse felt that supporter expectations may have outstripped the actual progress made by the club since the start of the season.
The Article AFL/saints.com.au/06Jul06

Round 14 previews
. . . The Saints are a considerably more formidable outfit at Telstra Dome. In a match where the bookies are struggling to find a favourite, that might be just enough to get them over the line. Tip: St Kilda by 10 points.
All R14 Game Previews Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/05Jul06

Koschitzke for Springvale
St Kilda Saints utility Justin Koschitzke could return to action as soon as this weekend, it was revealed yesterday. Teammate Nick Riewoldt suggested that Koschitzke was likely to take the field for Springvale - the Saints' VFL affiliate - against the Northern Bullants this weekend. That view was supported by Saints defender Max Hudghton, who told the St Kilda website yesterday that "'Kosi' may play a half in the reserves this week".
AFL round-up Jennifer Witham/TheAge/06Jul06

Koschitzke's return close
The signs are becoming clearer that St Kilda big man Justin Koschitzke's return to action is close. Speaking at a promotional launch of a new action man figurine in his likeness on Wednesday, team mate Nick Riewoldt hinted that Koschitzke would take the field for the Saints' VFL affiliate, Springvale against competition leaders, the Northern Bullants this weekend.
The Article Sportal/saints.com.au/06Jul06
Max Hudghton Chat Transcript Noddy/saints.com.au/05Jun06
Troy Schwarze Chat Transcript Noddy/saints.com.au/05Jun06

Saints players go hi-tech
St Kilda is using revolutionary pocket-sized video players to swot up on the opposition before games. Every player and coach at the Saints has an Archos machine, which offers the luxury of last-minute cramming of personalised highlights in the rooms. In an AFL first, the Saints have spent $50,000 to buy 50 of the French-designed machines. Players and coaches can transfer edited highlights from 16 desktop computers at the club on to their Archos. Just when Adelaide seemed to have cornered the technology market, the Saints have stolen a march on others by enabling players to create a go-everywhere library of strengths and weaknesses of opponents.
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/05Jul06
No quick way back for Brodie Michael Horan/HeraldSun/05Jul06
'Pies optimistic about Cloke AAP/FoxFooty/05Jul06

Saints rejoice as Hamill, Kosi set to return
St Kilda could get a timely boost this round with the return from a knee injury of former captain Aaron Hamill. And star ruckman/forward Justin Koschitzke was cleared by a neurosurgeon on Monday to resume playing. Leading up to one of the Saints' most important games of the season, against Collingwood on Sunday at Telstra Dome, coach Grant Thomas yesterday revealed that Hamill was almost ready to resume playing.
The Article Greg Denham/TheAustralian/05Jul06

Koschitzke is raring to go for Saints
St Kilda star Justin Koschitzke could make a surprise return to football within a fortnight. Vital cogs in Saints' machinery: Justin Koschitzke and Aaron Hamill line-up the goals at St Kilda training. It is understood Koschitzke is close to declaring himself ready to resume after suffering a fractured skull against the Bulldogs on May 6. Any return will be via the Saints' VFL feeder club, Casey Scorpions. In the best-case scenario, Koschitzke could make his long-awaited comeback this week.
Kelly says spend wisely Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/04Jul06
All Club injuries list HeraldSun/04Jul06
C2: Injury Clinton Bown/collingwoodfc/saints.com.au/03Jul06
Wallace slams Pie fans Rebecca Williams/HeraldSun/04Jul06

Round 13 ponderings
1. Will the real St Kilda please step forward? It is hard to judge whether St Kilda has regained its spark following Saturday's 70-point belting of Hawthorn, because it perhaps the most inept Hawk performance of the Alastair Clarkson-era. There were some good signs for the Saints - 14 marks to Nick Riewoldt, relentless physical pressure and some sublime work out of the middle, but the Saints have teased us before in 2006. A gritty defeat of the Western Bulldogs in round six was followed by a shocker the next week against the Cats on the night Robert Harvey broke the club's games played record. The stirring win over the Swans in the SCG slop in round 10 was followed by the embarrassing 63-point loss to Adelaide, at Telstra Dome.
The Article Ashley Browne/afl.com.au/03Jul06

Saints, Kosi feeling good
St Kilda midfielder Xavier Clarke said the Saints came into the clash with the Hawks with a clear focus and renewed energy after spending their midseason break soul-searching in a small Victorian town. The Saints went to Bonnie Doon during their brief hiatus away from footy, and Clarke said it gave the players a chance to rest their weary bodies and reset goals for the rest of the year. "We came off the break refreshed and the boys wanted to really make a statement," Clarke said, on the Sunday Footy Show. "We went to Bonnie Doon . . . I actually thought it was only out of the movie, and I rang dad to tell him and he wouldn't believe me either." Clarke also said the week away from football gave the players the chance to chat about their goals for the second half of the season.
The Article Jennifer Witham/saints.com.au/02Jul06
Coaches are robbing the game of its star quality Tim Lane/TheAge/03Jul06
Hawthorn handball horror Daryl Timms/HeraldSun/03Jul06
A bump of time gone by Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/03Jul06
Bullies in playground Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/02Jul06
Hawks' Guerra warfare Daryl Timms/HeraldSun/03Jul06
Kelly says spend wiselyDamian Barrett/HeraldSun/03Jul06
Bumpy times for Guerra and the Hawks Len Johnson/TheAge/04Jul06
Tarrant the teaser Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/04Jul06
Hawks pay price for 'worst' loss Jake Niall/HeraldSun/05Jul06

Pies test for Saints
Is St Kilda back or are the Hawks that bad? The first question can't be answered until next Sunday when the Saints take on Collingwood _ because the answer to the second question is a definite yes. The Hawks were horrible at Telstra Dome yesterday, making it difficult to assess the value of the Saints' performance. Under a closed roof in perfect conditions, Hawthorn had two goal-less quarters and only four soft, unanswered goals in time-on in the final term saved it from a 100-point massacre.
The Article Mark Harding/HeraldSun/02Jul06

Riewoldt: Time to toughen up
St Kilda superstar Nick Riewoldt says next week's blockbuster against Collingwood is a chance to prove the Saints are a legitimate premiership chance. Refreshed by a mid-season camp and pledge to each other at Bonnie Doon, the Saints thumped a listless Hawthorn by 70 points at Telstra Dome yesterday. They had too much run and hardness through the midfield and fed key forwards Fraser Gehrig and Riewoldt.
The Article Jon Pierik/HeraldSun/02Jul06



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