Archives

SEE ARCHIVES FOR MORE LINKS & LEADERS

Round 16 - Heritage Round
Saints vs Port Adelaide
Aurora Stadium
Sunday 23rd July 1:10pm AEST (Early start)
TAB Sportsbet: St Kilda $1.46 Port Adelaide $2.60
Centrebet: St Kilda $1.50 Port Adelaide $2.60
Field umpires: Rosebury, Sully, Wenn
The Heritage Round - 80's
A turbulent decade - Tim Lane/TheAge/22Jul06

Teams: Power off for Clarke
Injury-plagued St Kilda defender Xavier Clarke will watch tomorrow's clash with Port Adelaide at Launceston from the sidelines after aggravating his troublesome hip . . . Coach Grant Thomas said Clarke will be given a fortnight to overcome inflammation and a build-up of fluid in the hip . . . Veteran midfielder Andrew Thompson will also miss the Port clash with a shoulder injury. "We just think it's going to be a very intense game down there, a tackle-athon, and you are going to have to be 100 per cent and Thommo isn't 100 per cent". Thomas said.
The Article David Hastie/HeraldSun/22Jul06
Injured Saints midfielders to miss Michael Gleeson/TheAge/22Jul06

Game could come down to star duo
The outcome of today's round 16 AFL clash between the Saints and Port Power could be decided by the contributions of two of the league's best big men. The performance of Port's vice- captain Brendon Lade and St Kilda star forward Nick Riewoldt for their respective teams could have a huge impact on the result. Lade, 30, 199cm and 102kg, has played 164 games for the Power. The 2004 premiership ruckman has assumed extra responsibility in the Power line-up this season in a leadership role and as the club's most experienced ruckman on the back of the retirement of Matthew Primus.
The Article Phil Edwards/TheExaminer/23Jul06

Fisher takes long road to recovery
. . . "I never got too down, through that whole time. There weren't too many bad days and I stayed pretty upbeat. But to go over there, and do that, and know my body could handle it, made me feel pretty good." Fisher has felt better than that in the past nine weeks. He started training again when he got back to Melbourne, and did all of the pre-season. He didn't expect much for the first few weeks of the season, but after only two weeks with the Casey Scorpions, that changed. "It changed pretty fast. It's like all your ambition comes back when there's a purpose to all the work you're doing," he said.
The Article Samantha Lane/TheAge/23Jul06

Saints think bigger
St Kilda will test the depth of Port Adelaide's big-man stocks by using three ruckmen in its clash at Aurora Stadium today. Jason Blake returns from a hamstring strain, while Port has lost in-form ruckman Dean Brogan. "That affects their structure a little bit and we're going to go with (Michael) Rix and (Cain) Ackland and Blake," Saints assistant coach Jason Cripps said. "We'll play the three big guys and hopefully get an advantage. Over the last few years they've been able to get an advantage over us . . . their bigger guys have really hurt us".
The Article HeraldSun/22Jul06

Power youth rules
Port Adelaide is sending a very loud signal at selection. So bold is the theme it seems to be going over the heads of everyone outside Alberton. The Power tomorrow plays St Kilda, a team that has either perfected the art of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against Port . . . or simply does not know how to beat the SA club. Port has a nine-game winning streak against the Saints dating back to 2001. Also, the Power has not lost in four matches at tomorrow's venue, Aurora Stadium in Launceston. Nothing lasts forever. Nothing.
The Article Michelangelo Rucci/AdelaideAdvertiser/22Jul06
Williams stands by his captain Michelangelo Rucci/AdelaideAdvertiser/22Jul06
Power gives out another debut Daniel Bryant/PortAdelaideFC/saints.com.au/22Jul06

"It wouldn't surprise me if it is St Kilda's last game (in Tasmania) . . . I reckon we should have an annual Hawthorn-St Kilda game that is Hawthorn's home game . . . St Kilda owes something to Tasmania." AFL Tasmania general manager Scott Wade

Saints march out
. . . Today is the deadline for clubs' submissions to the AFL for next season's roster, and Fraser said the club believed the AFL would schedule two St Kilda home games at Launceston's Aurora Stadium in 2007. "e;We have got a contract, the only people who can change that would be the AFL," (St Kilda chief executive Archie Fraser) said. "We haven't said we don't want to play in Tasmania as our submission is very much focused on some other elements". Today is the deadline for clubs' submissions to the AFL for next season's roster, and Fraser said the club believed the AFL would schedule two St Kilda home games at Launceston's Aurora Stadium in 2007.
The Article Brett Stubbs/The Murcury/22Jul06
Clubs not sold on second homes Louis White/The Australian/22Jul06

With specualtion continuing on whether St Kilda will play its contracted two matches in the State next year, tomorrow's game could be Saints supporters last chance to see their team in Tasmania. The Examiner

Power struggle Port has the wood on Saints at Aurora
Port Adelaide should go into tomorrow's AFL clash against St Kilda at Aurora Stadium full of confidence having held the wood over the Saints for the past five AFL seasons . . . "St Kilda will be aware of it and the fact is we'll be a different team from the last time we played and so will they," Williams said . . . Saints fans are also expected to turn out to see Tasmanian football legend Darrel Baldock complete a pre-match lap of honour in recognition of his recent induction to VFL-AFL legend status. AFL Tasmania general manager Scott Wade was not so sure if Tasmania would see the Saints again. "It wouldn't surprise me if it is St Kilda's last game (on Sunday)," he said.
The Article Phil Edwards/TheExaminer/22Jul06

Hawks 'can't afford' to play Vic teams in Tassie
. . . Hawthorn chief executive Ian Robson said the Hawks - who share Launceston's Aurora Stadium with St Kilda - could not financially justify playing against another Victorian club in Tasmania. He said the Hawks would continue to only play teams from South Australia and Western Australia in its two Tasmanian home games . . . Robson said: "When you have the potential of games like a Richmond, which worked well filling Aurora at 21,000, if we play that game at the MCG and everyone is up and running and well, you are talking about 35,000 to 40,000-plus. That drives the level of income that can't be ignored in contemplating whether that type of game could be relocated."
The Article Brett Stubbs/The Murcury/22Jul06

If we could turn back time
This Sunday, the Saints are celebrating (ah hem) the 1980's with the AFL Heritage Round. The 1980's is an era die-hard Saints would sometimes rather forget. From watering the Moorabbin ground, to cold showers in the visitors room our performance onfield was disappointing with five wooden spoons. Yet in some ways, like the glitter ball in the Saints disco, we had brief flashes of brilliance. In 1987 Lockett kicked his 100th goal against Silvagni, Barker starred both onfield (and off) and some of our most loyal players fought for the red, white and black in Frawley, Burke and Cunningham.
The Article Tehya Courtney/saints.com.au/21Jul06

Two changes for Port clash
The St Kilda selectors have settled on two changes for Sunday's clash with Port Adelaide at Aurora Stadium in Launceston. Steven Baker and Jason Blake are the inclusions for injured pair Xavier Clarke and Andrew Thompson. Troy Schwarze, Sam Gilbert and James Gwilt are the emergencies. There are four changes for the Power for whom young defender Alipate Carlile from the Murray Bushrangers will make his senior debut.
The Article Sportal/saints.com.au/21Jul06

The Pecking order
A long, handsome career for Justin Peckett always seemed unlikely. Before he'd played a senior game for St Kilda, he'd lost his dad and gained a daughter. When he married at the end of 2004, it appeared a romantic and synchronistic way to finish his career, leaving all that happened during his football years to blur into history and sink into brief annals. As it happens, though, the coach's wedding present was another year's contract - a most unlikely gift, though one fully earned. At the wedding festivities were the usual lot - family, mates, old teammates and current teammates - yet not so usual were the two assistant coaches and the head honcho himself, Grant Thomas.
The Article Tim Pekin/ThAge/19Jul06

Montagna leading Moorabbin's Genesis
This season St Kilda has revealed another young star ready to make the quantum leap to becoming a superstar in Leigh Montagna. Although the 22 year old has been at the club since 2002, Montagna was floating between the reserves and seniors for a lot of his career until he got his break against Melbourne in Round 18, where he helped demolish the Demons with 17 touches and three goals in his best performance. He hasn't looked back and now 'Joey' is becoming a star on the rise. "Over the course of the past couple of years, I've been in and out of the side and this year has been about cementing a spot in the side. I felt when I got an opportunity on the wing, I'd get more consistency in my football and this season I've done that without being too spectacular."
The Article Luca Giacobello/saints.com.au20Jul06
Jason Mifsud Chat Transcript Noddy/saints.com.au/19Jul06

Saints keen to take on Port
The Club was pleased with the Essendon game and first and foremost, we have to give recognition to the way the Bombers played. They were certainly up and about, and played with real spirit and intent. They certainly adapted to the conditions very well and it is important to give Essendon respect for the way they played. The Saints' pride, spirit and determination in the second half gave us the opportunity to win the game. The leadership and brilliance of our players in the last quarter is what got us over the line, and Rooey also stood up late in the game to kick two crucial goals . . . On Sunday we take on the Power, and it has been five years since the Saints have got a positive result over Port. Earlier this year we kicked 19 goals against them over in Adelaide, and albeit we lost. That gives us a lot of confidence to know that if we are to minimise their influence, and be spot on across the field, we have a great chance of victory.
The Article Jason Mifsud/saints.com.au/21Jul06

Saints losing Tas mania
St Kilda won't return to Tasmania for games after its contract to play in the Apple Isle ends next year. Speculation has mounted for more than a year that St Kilda would not renew its two-games-a-season contract with the Tasmanian Government beyond 2007, with suggestions it would pull the pin at the end of this year. But St Kilda chief executive Archie Fraser said the Saints, who meet Port Adelaide in Launceston on Sunday, would be back next season "We are still contracted to 2007, certainly we intend to honour that contract," Fraser said yesterday.
The Article Brett Stubbs/FoxSports/21Jul06
Tasmanian games ditched Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/21Jul06
Tas Premier: bigger AFL crowds the goal Rob Shaw/Examiner/21Jul06
Burnie wants Freo at Aurora TheAdvocate/21Jul06
Below Zero on NW Coast Kath Uziallo/TheAdvocate/21Jul06
No More Tassie Games!! saintsational.com

Tickets for Round 20 - vs Freo
Tickets for the Fremantle versus St Kilda game at Subiaco in Round 20 are sold out. Kylie Ecker, St Kilda Membership Operations Assistant said that they sold out so quickly that she thinks that it is a record. Lew Mutch said that the Round 20 Function bookings are going very well and there will probably get at least 400 Saints supporters attending. He said that the Club may come up with some more match tickets for members and if this happens Lew will email all Western Sainters. To be a 'Western Saint' member all you have to be is a paid up member of the St Kilda Football Club and live in Western Australia, you are then automatically a member. Follow the link on this article for more information on the Function. Make sure that you are on the Western Saints mailing list, and that if you already are ensure that Lew has your 'current' email address on file.
Source: Lew Mutch, President, Western Saints
l Freo Game Prematch Function

Lap of honour a tribute to Baldock
One of the State's favourite football sons Darrel Baldock will be rewarded with a special lap of honour before the start of Sunday's St Kilda-Port Adelaide clash at Aurora Stadium. Baldock has been granted the special lap of the stadium in recognition of his recent elevation to VFL-AFL Legend status when he joined fellow Tasmanians Ian Stewart and Peter Hudson as the third Tasmanian to receive the highest accolade within the AFL. "This will be a fantastic opportunity for all Tasmanians to show respect to one of Tasmania's favourite sons," AFL Live chairman Peter Hudson said.
The Article TheExaminer/20Jul06
Honour for Baldock with lap in front of Tassie crowd TheAdvocate/20Jul06

Cornes set for Saints
. . . Cornes, who has recovered from the punctured lung suffered in the warm-up of the clash with Melbourne at the MCG on July 1, will be one of three changes to the Power line-up to be confirmed after training at Alberton today . . . ST KILDA not surprisingly recalled Troy Schwarze - who was impressive against the Power at AAMI Stadium earlier this season - last night when it also added Steven Baker and Jason Blake to its 25-man squad. So far, there is no dismissal from the match 22 which overcame bottom-placed Essendon last weekend.
The Article Michelangelo Rucci/AdelaideAdvertiser/21Jul06
Milne Footy Show Rumour saintsational.com

"Just as we were hailing an incident-free comeback for Kosi, lightning strikes again. Fair dinkum, if the Saints wrapped him in cotton wool at the moment they would probably find he was allergic to it". Trev Marmalade

Blake heads three inclusions
The Saints have added three players to their squad set to take on the Power at Aurora Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The trio named to return to the side are Steven Baker, Jason Blake and Troy Schwarze - Baker after missing last week with a corked thigh, Blake after injuring his hamstring in round 11 and Schwarze after suffering a hamstring complaint of his own in round 13. While Baker has been named to start on the back line, Blake and Schwarze have been named on the extended bench along with Cain Ackland, Aaron Fiora, Andrew McQualter, Stephen Powell and Andrew Thompson.
The Article Jennifer Witham/saints.com.au/20Jul06

Lap of honour a tribute to Baldock
One of the State's favourite football sons Darrel Baldock will be rewarded with a special lap of honour before the start of Sunday's St Kilda-Port Adelaide clash at Aurora Stadium. Baldock has been granted the special lap of the stadium in recognition of his recent elevation to VFL-AFL Legend status when he joined fellow Tasmanians Ian Stewart and Peter Hudson as the third Tasmanian to receive the highest accolade within the AFL. "This will be a fantastic opportunity for all Tasmanians to show respect to one of Tasmania's favourite sons," AFL Live chairman Peter Hudson said.
The Article TheExaminer/20Jul06
Honour for Baldock with lap in front of Tassie crowd TheAdvocate/20Jul06

Koschitzke's bumps more than bad habit
. . . Data from the 2000 AFL draft camp Koschitzke attended reveals that while he stood out as a prospect in many ways, he was well below the average scores for peripheral awareness, reaction time and decision making, the three components of a psychomotor examination all of the potential draftees sat. According to figures provided to The Age, Koschitzke produced a score of three out of 10 for peripheral awareness, one out of 10 for his reaction time capabilities and two out of 10 for decision making.
The Article Stephen Rielly/TheAge/21Jul06
Friday night games live - Next Year Daryl Timms/HeraldSun/21Jul06

Montagna leading Moorabbin's Genesis
This season St Kilda has revealed another young star ready to make the quantum leap to becoming a superstar in Leigh Montagna. Although the 22 year old has been at the club since 2002, Montagna was floating between the reserves and seniors for a lot of his career until he got his break against Melbourne in Round 18, where he helped demolish the Demons with 17 touches and three goals in his best performance. He hasn't looked back and now 'Joey' is becoming a star on the rise. "Over the course of the past couple of years, I've been in and out of the side and this year has been about cementing a spot in the side. I felt when I got an opportunity on the wing, I'd get more consistency in my football and this season I've done that without being too spectacular."
The Article Luca Giacobello/saints.com.au20Jul06
Jason Mifsud Chat Transcript Noddy/saints.com.au/19Jul06

Cornes to fly back into action
. . . Rohde said Cornes' impressive hit-out in competitive exercises at last night's main session at Alberton would strengthen his case for inclusion. "He has been cleared by the specialist to fly. He trained (yesterday), got through okay and assuming he pulls up well I am sure he will be playing," Rohde said. "Not just his ability as a footballer, the leadership that he brings to the group is pretty important for us. For our sake, hopefully he is allowed to fly over and make the trip and put on a guernsey this week." Rohde said ruckman Dean Brogan's three-week ankle injury sustained in the loss to Geelong made Cornes' availability more crucial.
The Article Richard Earle/TheAdvertiser/20Jul06
Chad Cornes can fly Daniel Bryant/Port Adelaide Football Club/saints.com.au/18Jul06
Cornes to fly again Richard Earle/HeraldSun/20Jul06
My father/son solution: Eade Rodney Eade/AFL/saints.com.au20Jul06
AFL aids Blues Angus Morgan/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au19Jul06

Symes no longer Power's lost soul
. . . Symes, along with on-ball hard-nut Adam Thomson and rookie ruckman Fabian Deluca, have signed two-year deals keeping them at Alberton until 2008. "There's a lot of great midfielders out there. This week (against St Kilda) there's Robert Harvey and Nick Dal Santo. They are fantastic in-and-under players and I want to keep learning off those guys." Power coach Mark Williams heralded the "determination" of Symes and Thomson. "They've come into the side this year, playing regular games for the first time and been able to give some pretty consistent contributions to our team and that has been fantastic," Williams said.
The Article Richard Earle/AdelaideAdvertiser/20Jul06

Check-up mostly healthy except for two biggest issues
. . . In a remarkably candid invitation to the clubs, Anderson asked for feedback on his department's performance. The clubs have been asked to respond to three headings Stop. Start. Keep. The style of the review was recommended by St Kilda coach Grant Thomas who said Stop. Start. Keep was a successful method used in business. It is simple enough. The clubs can suggest what the AFL should stop doing, what it should begin to do and what it should leave in place. Anderson said yesterday that the response from the clubs had been enthusiastic and varied. The ultimate test of the review will not be what it discovers but it what it embraces.
The Article Patrick Smith/TheAustralian/20Jul06

AFL Preview - Tassie Game
. . . Brogan's loss and Tredrea's poor form make it hard to see Port Adelaide challenge the Saints. In Port's favour however, is its good record against St Kilda, and the fact that it won at Aurora last time it played there in 2005. St Kilda has not beaten Port Adelaide since 2000, something that is sure to play on its minds. Either way St Kilda are fifth, Port Adelaide 12th and with the season winding down, the Saints should need no greater motivation than eyeing the double chance and playing better than they did in their narrow victory against bottom placed Essendon the week before. Whichever way you look at though, it is a danger game for them and one they will not want to take lightly.
The Article Mark Rasmussen/AFL/saints.com.au/18Jul06
Logan relishing second chance Alan Shiell/afl.com.au/saints.com.au/18Jul06
The Fly Thread - Saints insider news/saintsational.com

Ruckman in hot water for 'assault' on oral surgeon
Port Adelaide ruckman Dean Brogan will face court next month after prosecutors opted to charge him over an alleged assault on an Adelaide surgeon last year. The 27-year-old footballer, who suffered an ankle injury in his team's loss to Geelong last Sunday, made no comment about the charge yesterday as he left the club's training session at Alberton in Adelaide. Brogan was reported to police earlier this year for the incident in October last year, in which he allegedly punched oral surgeon Zahi Khouri.
The Article Andrew McGarry/TheAustralian/20Jul06
Akermanis: I want to play in Melbourne Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/20Jul06
Aker: I'd be a star recruit - Q & A's Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/20Jul06
Bombers face life without Sheedy Michael Horan/HeraldSun/20Jul06
AFL earns its own sledge Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/20Jul06

Scholarship boys join big league
Spending a week at St Kilda Football Club has exceeded all expectations for the Saints' new scholarship players, 15 year old Joshua Duncan and 16 year old Khan Haretuku. Both boys spent a week at Moorabbin under the guidance of Saints Recruiting Manager, John Beveridge and Sydney representative, Danny Ryan. Joshua is the first scholarship player signed to the Saints, and has signed to a three-year contract under the new AFL (NSW/ACT) Scholarship Program. Joshua is from Pennant Hills Football Club, Lenny Hayes' former club and was recommended to John Beveridge from Danny Ryan, who St Kilda has appointed to assist the Club in the identification of younger players in the AFL program.
The Article Vanessa Gigliotti/Sportal/saints.com.au/19Jul06

. . . only a premiership will see Thomas viewed through less judgemental eyes. However, in the immediate future, there's a footnote Thomas needs to address: overcoming Port Adelaide, a feat he's never managed in eight attempts. A win on Sunday against the Power - putting the Saints firmly in the hunt for a top four spot - would certainly make for a happy anniversary. Sebastian Hassett - sportsaustralia.com

Five years on, Thomas proves his staying power
When news of Malcolm Blight's sacking on July 19, 2001 leaked into the football world, it seemed St Kilda - so traditionally adept at falling into a hole of its own making - had willingly strolled into an abyss. Had it really been just 10 months since Blight's appointment as senior coach was greeted with such universal enthusiasm, leading to him being dubbed the messiah who would rescue the lost Saints? Little about the club's decision to abruptly terminate his contract made any sense, and the subsequent explanation that Blight lacked commitment seemed unimaginable at the time.
The Article Sebastian Hassett/sportsaustralia.com/19Jul06

Cornes eyes Cook's tour
Port Adelaide defender Chad Cornes wants to try the Dennis Bergkamp journey to a football match - that is, any mode of transport but air travel. While the non-flying Dutchman was scared of flying during his illustrious soccer career with Arsenal and The Netherlands, Cornes is banned from flying while he recovers from a punctured lung. To play an AFL game this weekend - against St Kilda at Aurora Stadium at Launceston - Cornes would have to endure an 84-hour, four-day return trip across three states and Bass Strait.
The Article Michelangelo Rucci/AdelaideAdvertiser/18Jul06

Herald Sun R16 previews
. . . St Kilda has won the past three games and Port all but destroyed its season by losing the last three, yet there is an aura of vulnerability about the Saints. A three-point win over ragged bottom side Essendon last week will do nothing to inspire confidence for this larger task. Port has clearly been playing below its potential this season and has left its bid to regroup far too late.
The Previews Richard Earle/HeraldSun/20Jul06
Aker's axing signals end of the road Dan Koch /TheAustralian/21Jul06
Nice guy kicks on - Ricciuto 300th Ashley Porter/TheAge/21Jul06

Time's right for Toby to stand tall
. . . The Power has lost Dean Brogan for three matches with a severe sprain to the front of his right ankle. Its ruckman-in-waiting, Sturt-based Fabian Deluca, is nursing a broken hand that needs a further three weeks in a cast . . . Lade yesterday endorsed 25-year-old Thurstans to be his ruck partner in Brogan's absence, starting with Sunday's clash against St Kilda at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.
The Article Michelangelo Rucci/AdelaideAdvertiser/18Jul06
Chad Cornes ferry idea Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/18Jul06
AFL defers talks on club payouts Caroline Wilson/TheAge/19Jul06

"We are conscious you suffered a serious injury recently and that is bad luck, but we are very conscious about protecting umpires, especially from players who are rushing in to contest a ball-up and are not conscious of their obligation towards umpires." Tribunal chairman Tim Robinson told Kosi

Sorry Koschitzke out for one match
St Kilda assistant coach Matt Rendell said the different protocol used by VFL and AFL umpires could not be blamed for the collision. "He is very disappointed about having to miss another game this week," Rendell said. "He has had a real interrupted season, as we all know . . . But he had a very fair hearing and, obviously, it was a very forceful blow to the back of the umpire's head . . . We feel sorry for him but he is OK and Kosi will be OK in a bit of time." Rendell, a former star ruckman, said players had a duty of care to know where umpires were positioned.
The Article Daryl Timms/HeraldSun/19Jul06
Koschitzke's AFL comeback halted by ban Daryl Timms/Yahoo7Sport/19Jul06
Kosi suspended for one Sportal/saints.com.au/18Jul06
Koschitske signs for Laurel and Hardy remake thebladder.com.au/19Jul06

Uneven playing field
. . . The ladder shows that pace-setter Adelaide has the equal second toughest draw behind Port Adelaide . . . St Kilda (fifth) plays only two sides above it, including the Bulldogs in Round21.
The Article Geoff Poulter/HeraldSun/21Jul06

GO BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE