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Saints vs Port Adelaide
St Kilda: 3.4, 6.7, 7.11, 8.16 (64)
Port Adelaide: 0.2, 2.5, 6.10, 8.12 (60)
Goals - St Kilda: Gehrig 3, Riewoldt 2, Milne, Harvey, Blake - Port Adelaide: Mahoney 2, Motlop, White, Salopek, Pearce, K. Cornes, Ebert
Best - St Kilda: St Kilda: Dal Santo (27 Disposals), Gram (33 Disposals), S. Fisher (28), Voss (25 Disposals), Goddard (21 Disposals), L. Fisher (22 Disposals)
Port Adelaide: C. Cornes, K. Cornes, Symes, Lade, S. Burgoyne, Salopek
Changes - Port Adelaide: Tredrea (knee) replaced in selected side by Logan
Umpires - Rosebury, Sully, Wenn
Crowd - 16,588 at Aurora Stadium
Free Kicks: For St Kilda 19 Against St Kilda 14
Hitouts: St Kilda 24, Port Adelaide 35
50m Penalties: St Kilda 0, Port Adelaide 1
Goals kicked from: St Kilda Free 0; Play 1; Mark 7
Port Adelaide - Free 0; Play 5; Mark 3
Distance of Goals: St Kilda 0-15m 1; 15-30m 1; 30-40m 1; 40+m 5
Port Adelaide 0-15m 2; 15-30m 2; 30-40m 1; 40+m 3
ROUND 16 MATCH-STATS l LADDER AFTER ROUND 16

Thomas relieved with great escape
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas is in no doubt that his side deserved to claim the four points against Port Adelaide at Aurora Stadium on Sunday - despite Power forward Daniel Motlop taking a shot for goal after the siren, which had he kicked truly, would have given the boys from Alberton a stunning victory. Speaking in his post-match media conference, Thomas was asked if St Kilda was now gaining an ounce of luck it needed - after it claimed its second successive nail-biting win - having come from behind last round to achieve a three-point win over Essendon at Telstra Dome.
The Article Matt Burgan/saints.com.au/23Jul06
Saints escape in new siren drama Martin Boulton/TheAge/24Jul06

Win bodes well for Saints
The true value of St Kilda's great escape against Port Adelaide at Aurora Stadium in Launceston on Sunday won't be known for another month or so, but right now the four points are like diamonds. The Saints have a tough run home, but, in the wake of Daniel Motlop missing an easy set shot at goal after the final siren to deny Port Adelaide victory, they have two wins and percentage as a buffer to aid their cause.
The Article Michael Horan/HeraldSun/25Jul06
Crows, Saints, Dockers produce goods in telling month Gavin Haines/FootyGoss/25Jul06

Port Adelaide failed Motlop, says expert
Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams was scarcely sympathetic to Daniel Motlop on Sunday when his post-siren miss cost the Power the points in a dramatic finish against St Kilda in Launceston, saying Motlop was paid handsomely to kick goals. Yesterday, a leading sports psychologist took issue with Williams. "That's a very superficial way of looking at it," said Dr Noel Blundell. "Sure, Motlop has a responsibility to kick goals. But the club also has a responsibility to enhance his skills so that he is ready for the moment. The last thing you want is to see a young man caught in that situation. It's not fair, it's not right." Blundell was watching on television as Motlop took a brilliant mark seconds before the final siren, with Port trailing by five points. Motlop's body language as the siren sounded told him that the footballer was about to be overwhelmed by the moment.
The Article Greg Baum/TheAge/25Jul06
Port's Motlop to miss rest of AFL season AAP/TheAge/26Jul06

Motlop miss symptom of widespread disease
Every AFL coach should grab the tape of Sunday's match between Port Adelaide and St Kilda and show his players Daniel Motlop's shot for goal after the siren. If that wasn't a wake-up call for players around the country that they don't spend enough time practising goal kicking, then I don't know what would be . . . The reason I say that is because Motlop has missed his last four set shots in games and he hasn't kicked a goal from a set shot further than 15m out since 2004. He has no confidence, so he plays on, passes off or misses.
The Article Ben Allan/WestAustralian/26Jul06

Race for second opens up
For the better part of two months, as West Coast staked its claim as the AFL's great escape artist, a top-four spot for Victorian clubs seemed like a double-edged sword. As critical as has proved the double chance come finals time, the prospect for those finishing third or fourth of a qualifying final in Adelaide or Perth, followed by a potential preliminary final in the other city, was hardly one to relish. But it's a different ball game now . . . the Saints are still very much a shot, facing a Richmond that has gone right off the boil these past two weeks, and those out-of-touch Eagles at Telstra Dome, over the next fortnight.
The Article Rohan Connolly/TheAge/24Jul06

Kosi a chance for Tiges clash
St Kilda big man Justin Koschitzke is an outside chance to return for the Saints next round against Richmond at the MCG, according to coach Grant Thomas. Koschitzke was forced to watch from the sidelines this weekend, after he was suspended for one-match last round, courtesy of the VFL tribunal, when he collided with a field umpire, while playing for Casey Scorpions seconds. The key Saint was returning via the VFL seconds as he has played just two matches this season - due to a knee injury, a quadriceps problem and a fractured skull, sustained after he collided with Bulldog Daniel Giansiracusa in round six. But Thomas said it be a wait-and-see approach in regards to what Koschitzke would do next weekend.
The Article Matt Burgan/saints.com.au/23Jul06

Baldock family laps up legend honour
St Kilda great Darrel Baldock may be used to a big-match atmosphere but it was a new experience for his grandchildren at the footy yesterday . . . Before the game, Baldock was kept busy receiving congratulations from St Kilda president Rod Butterss, conducting TV interviews with Channel 9 and even signing programmes from the 1966 Grand Final - in which he led the Saints to their sole flag.
The Article TheExaminer/24Jul06

'Winning in Tassie!'
. . . The club's open disdain for playing at Aurora Stadium borders on insulting to Tasmania taxpayers, who contribute $900,000 to St Kilda's bottom line every year. But for a club that does not need the money as it once did, there is no love for a venue where it has regularly produced its worst football. "We have won four and lost four down here but we have never clicked," Thomas said. "You need to be able to play anywhere and everywhere and for one reason or another we haven't been able to here. It is a big ground, it is a fantastic surface, the facilities are great, the support is great, the accommodation is great. For God's sake, it is only a 50-minute flight; you are no sooner up then you are down. There is no downside to it. But sometimes, some people just don't click with some places. There is no doubt we have really struggled to get our A-grade game going here."
Saints alive after Motlop miss Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/24Jul06

Fraser's Poster
. . . The start of the fourth term delivered much of the same - short kicking, overuse of the ball and costly turnovers. When Fraser Gehrig charged into an open goal at the 18-minute mark it looked like game over, but to his surprise the goal umpire ruled the shot a behind. "I thought it was a goal," Gehrig said after the match. "Whether it hit the post on the inside I'm not sure. If it did it must have been the finest touch ever."
Curse of siren claims Motlop as new victim Martin Boulton/TheAge/24Jul06
Fraser's Goal Trueman/Ch 9/Video
More Vids Trueman/Ch 9/saintsational.com

Thomas wants intensity back
. . . With a loss by the Bulldogs opening the door to the top four, and another winnable game to come, Thomas is taking positives from the fact his team in year's gone by would have been 0-2 in the past fortnight. "I said to the players they're probably two games in the last 10 years we would've dropped - this week and last week," Thomas said. Thomas is looking forward to getting Justin Koschitzke, Aaron Hamill and the Clarke brothers back for a tilt at the finals. Koschitzke is considered a 50-50 chance to return for Casey Scorpions in the VFL this week. He is even a slim chance to come straight into the AFL. But Thomas is also eagerly anticipating a return to the intensity of old.
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/24Jul06

Saints just prevail in Tassie
It wasn't 'Sirengate', but Launceston's Aurora Stadium has produced yet another nail-biting finish after St Kilda managed to win a four-point thriller over Port Adelaide after Power forward Daniel Motlop missed a set-shot for goal after the siren . . . Just three goals were added in the final term and although the Power added the final two of the match, it was unable to claim the lead for the first time in the match - and ultimately the four points . . . Among St Kilda's best was Sam Fisher, who had 13 touches in the first quarter, yet shone with his efforts in defence, while Jason Gram was one of the most prominent of the match, despite the odd turnover. He won 33 touches - the most for the Saints. Nick Dal Santo and Brett Voss were also among its side's best.
The Article Matt Burgan/saints.com.au/23Jul06

Jittery Daniel Motlop is Saints' saviour
It was mark of the year and miss of the year within 10 seconds. Port Adelaide's season died and St Kilda's top-four hopes surged when Daniel Motlop missed from 30m after the siren at Aurora Stadium yesterday. St Kilda led by five points with seconds left when Motlop soared above opponent Sam Fisher and a pack of players to haul in a breath-taking one-grab mark. In an ending almost as dramatic as the "Sirengate" fiasco at the same ground in Round 5, Motlop was steadying himself when the time-keepers slammed the button.
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/24Jul06
Motlop miss allows Saints narrow escape AAP/HeraldSun/23Jul06
Motlop miss allows Saints narrow escape AAP/TheAge/23Jul06
Saints survive last-gasp Power surge Antimo Iannella/FootyGoss/23Jul06
Saints march to 26-point half-time lead Antimo Iannella/FootyGoss/23Jul06

Screamer then howler for Motlop
Port Adelaide's Daniel Motlop missed a simple set shot after the siren to allow St Kilda to escape with a four-point AFL victory at Launceston's Aurora Stadium today . . . The Saints had been in charge in the first half, thanks mainly to a more dangerous forward line, with key forwards Fraser Gehrig and Nick Riewoldt kicking two goals each in the first half and Robert Harvey and Stephen Milne one each. The Power, by contrast, was struggling to find a reliable path into attack, with captain Warren Tredrea missing after he withdrew from the side before the match with a knee injury. St Kilda also had the better of the midfield early in the match, with Nick Dal Santo getting plenty of the ball in the first half.
The Article Sam Lienert/AdelaideNow/23Jul06
Motlop must re-live agony Michelangelo Rucci/AdelaideNow/24Jul06
Young learn vital lessons Michelangelo Rucci/AdelaideNow/24Jul06

Saints break Power jinx
St Kilda notched its first win over Port Adelaide since 2000 with a five-point victory in their round 16 AFL clash at York Park in Launceston this afternoon. The Saints led by 26 points at half-time and survived a second-half revival from the Power to triumph 8.16 (64) to 8.12 (60). Daniel Motlop had the chance to steal victory for Port Adelaide with a kick after the siren, but he steered his shot wide to hand the Saints victory.
The Article Katie Franklin/ABCSport/23Jul06

Kosi to play soon, says Thomas
Grant Thomas feared Justin Koschitzke's most recent mishap might have signalled season over for the unlucky Saint, but now says he could resume playing as soon as this week and be in a position to be a major contributor by September. "Whether he plays next week or the week after is yet to be decided, but it's very imminent," the Saints coach said before today's game against Port Adelaide in Tasmania. "I'll be honest, there was a time where I thought perhaps medically they may say that's that," Thomas admitted. "But, thankfully, the level of testing is such that they're able to be very specific about the range in which a player is able to play, and Kosi himself just feels so good within himself. His training's been very good, we haven't got any problems at all and he hasn't got any problems".
The Article Samantha Lane/TheAge/23Jul06

Saints to rely on tough defence to halt losing streak against Port
. . . After conceding 19 goals in the round four game against the Power, (Jason) Cripps said the Saints were keen to pick up their defence. "We've got Leigh Fisher in for this game which we didn't have last time and they certainly played very well against us," he said. "Josh Mahoney kicked six and had a real night out against us, so our defence are pretty keen to make amends for that . . . It will be the amount of ball that comes in and how it comes in, so the forward line and midfield pressure is going to be critical. The guys are certainly looking forward to the challenge; they've had the wood over us for the last few years and we're looking forward to hopefully winning this one."
The Article Renee Switzer/TheAge/23Jul06
History favours Port, but that's all AAP/SydneyMorningHerald/23Jul06

Hawthorn deal
Hawks tipped to play four games a year in Launceston, Hawthorn is poised to play four home games a year in Launceston from next season, including two each year against Victorian opposition. Talk in Tasmanian football circles has suggested that Premier Paul Lennon may announce at Aurora Stadium today that Hawthorn will increase its commitment to the State to play four matches in Launceston next year - leaving it as the only AFL team to play home games in Tasmania. It is believed that Mr Lennon has been negotiating for the club to play two matches at Aurora Stadium against Melbourne-based teams and two against interstate clubs - on a rotation basis from 2007.
The Article Phil Edwards/TheExaminer/23Jul06

Allan Murray reported for charging
The Devils put two weeks of turmoil and a form line of just one win in nine rounds behind them to belt the Casey Scorpions by 75 points, 19.15 (129) to 8.6 (54). Two final-quarter incidents highlighted the return of the ferocious Devil that seemed on the endangered list for so long this season . . . reported were St Kilda-listed Allan Murray for charging Howard, the incident that started the melee; Perry for headbutting Edgcumbe; and the Devils' Matthew Wade for striking.
The Article - 'Devilishly good' Brett Stubbs/TheMercury/23Jul06