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ST KILDA: 5.5, 14.6, 23.6, 27.12 (174)
RICHMOND: 2.2, 6.7, 8.9, 10.11 (71)
GOALS - St Kilda: Gehrig 10, Gram 4, Montagna 3, Goddard 2, Riewoldt 2, Dal Santo, Ackland, Milne, Voss, Fiora, Harvey
Richmond: Richardson 4, Schulz 2, Tivendale 2, Johnson, Tambling
BEST - St Kilda: Gehrig, Gram, Montagna, Ball, Powell, Goddard, S Fisher, Harvey, Voss
Richmond: Raines, Johnson, Chaffey, Richardson, Deledio,
INJURIES - St Kilda: Hudghton (knee strain)
Richmond: Brown (hamstring)
CHANGES - Richmond: Gaspar (knee) replaced in selected side by Hall, Kellaway (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Stafford, Krakouer (finger) replaced in selected side by Chaffey
REPORTS - 2 (Baker from photo evidence - got 2 weeks after an appeal)
UMPIRES - Vozzo, Rosebury, Allen
CROWD - 43,250 at the MCG
FREE KICKS: For St Kilda 12, Against St Kilda 19
HITOUTS: St Kilda 23, Richmond 35
50m PENALTIES: St Kilda 0, Richmond 3
GOALS: St Kilda - Free 4; Play 7; Mark 16 - Richmond Free 1; Play 1; Mark 8
DISTANCE OF GOALS: St Kilda 0-15m 3; 15-30m 7; 30-40m 4; 40+m 13, Richmond 0-15m 2; 15-30m 1; 30-40m 1; 40+m 6

Round 17 Records broken:
Our highest score v Richmond
Our greatest winning margin v Richmond
Equals our sixth highest score ever
Our ninth biggest victory ever and our 11th 100-point victory
Our 9 goal 1 behind second quarter is equal fourth on our list of most accurate quarters
It takes our winning streak against Richmond to 7, Rnd. 4, 2003 being the last time they defeated us. This equals our winning streak against them from 1958 to 1962.
Before Round 17 the AFL record for most consecutive goals was 15, by Geelong, when they went from 5.8 to 20.8 in 1979, today we broke that record and kicked 16 straight goals to go from 9.6 to 25.6
Leigh Montagna had a career high 34 disposals, and a career high 6 clearances. He also had 4 tackles and kicked 3 goals 1 behind.
Luke Ball had 10 tackles, or 25% of the team's total tackles. Nick Dal Santo also contributed 8 tackles, bettered only by his 10 against the Tigers last year.
Jason Gram's 4 goals were the highest of his AFL career. He played every minute of the match, one of only 5 players to do so.
Stephen Powell averaged a disposal every 3 and a half minutes for his 82 minutes on the ground. His 24 touches and 4 clearances culminated in his best game (stats wise) since Rnd. 18 against Melbourne last year.
That is the second time Fraser Gehrig has kicked 10 goals in his career, the last being against the Kangaroos early in season 2005. St. Kilda now has the last two players (G and Milne) to kick double-figures of goals in a match.
The Saints lost the free kick count again, meaning that only against Brisbane, Fremantle, Carlton and Port Adelaide (last week) have had more free kicks than the opposition.
At this stage of Rnd. 17, we are third on the ladder with 11 wins and a percentage of 122.5, and can fall no lower than 4th, depending on other results. At this time last year, we were 4th with 10 wins and a percentage of 121.7.
Fraser Gehrig holds the record of most goals kicked against Richmond by Saints plater.
Jason Gram's 4 goals were the highest of his AFL career. He played every minute of the match, one of only 5 players to do so.
- Source: 'Oh When the Saints' and Co - saintsational.com

Hail to the Saints as they reign over the Tigers
The forecast was for hail at the MCG yesterday. But when that failed to materialise, St Kilda took matters into its own hands and decided to rain goals down on a hapless Richmond. It was one of those days, where it was writ large virtually from the opening bounce. For the first 20 minutes, the Saints were all over the Tigers like a cheap suit, the only letdown being that they were unable to translate their dominance into scoreboard pressure.And the man who opened the scoring for the Saints, Jason Gram, was the one who triggered it. Surging through the midfield, Gram grabbed the ball, bounced once and drilled a brilliant goal on the run, his and St Kilda's third.
The Article Lyall Johnson/TheAge/30Jul06

Sweet 16 for the Saints
Usually world records attract banner headlines. Sometimes though they sneak through the cracks, only to be picked up a few days later. Like this gem, eminating from last Saturday's St Kilda-Richmond game at the MCG, which was memorable for several reasons, not least that it was the Saints' first 100 point-plus victory at the famous ground. But thanks to the AFL's master statistician and historian Col Hutchinson, we now have stumbled across something even better. In progressing from 9.6 midway through the second quarter to 25.6 early in the last quarter with 16 goals straight the Saints set a new league record of teams scoring consecutive goals without any behinds, eclipsing the previous record of 15 scored by Geelong, coincidentally against the Saints in round five, 1979. Interestingly enough, the straight-shooting at Moorabbin 27 years ago happened during the same period of the game as last Saturday's . . .
The Article Geoff McClure/TheAge/02Aug06

Baker out for two games
. . . While Richmond left happy, St Kilda could appeal the two-game suspension handed to utility Steven Baker for attempting to strike. As the Saints push for a top-four berth, Baker will miss their key Telstra Dome games against second-placed West Coast this weekend and then Geelong. Baker would have been the first choice to tag Eagles captain and Brownlow Medal favourite Chris Judd . . . The Saints left the tribunal hearing with a terse "no comment" after the three-man jury took 10 minutes to find Baker guilty of attempting to strike Stafford. Baker's poor record in the past few seasons added a game to his suspension. He was facing a one-game ban had he pleaded guilty. Baker argued he was only pushing Stafford as he remonstrated with him after the collision with Goddard, but the jury disagreed.
The Article AAP/TheAge/01Aug06

Baker out for two
St Kilda tagger Steven Baker has been suspended for two matches after failing to convince the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night that he was not guilty of a charge of attempting to strike. Baker was charged with a level four offence for attempting to strike Tigers ruckman Greg Stafford during the second quarter of Saturday's match at the MCG. The incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point), behind play (one point) and high contact (two points).
The Article Sportal/saints.com.au/01Aug06

Breathing new life into comp
. . . Just as all and sundry were openly declaring the Crows as being across the line in the premiership race, the Eagles reminded us that it is, in fact, far from a one-horse affair. This win was so comprehensive it has left a few people scratching their heads in disbelief, given how indestructible the Crows had appeared . . . The Saints recorded a 100-point smashing of the Tigers and may finally be putting it all together at the right time, much to the annoyance of many pundits who tipped them pre-season, only to jump off mid-year. So much talk about the Saints has centred on the long-awaited returns of Justin Koschitzke and Aaron Hamill, but they have found season-best form without these two stars. If either or both do make it back this season, it will be a bonus. Fraser Gehrig (10 goals) showed what he is capable of when fired up and he, along with superstar Nick Riewoldt, will continue to underpin the flag aspirations of all Saints fans this campaign.
The Article Jason Dunstall/TheCourierMail/03Aug06

Spida spins intrigue over plans for future
Sincere or mischievous? This is the question that remains to be answered after Hawthorn ruckman Peter Everitt said yesterday that he didn't think he could take his career, as many suspect he will, to Sydney next year. Everitt has certainly played his last game for the Hawks this season. He is booked in for surgery next Thursday on an ankle that has troubled him for two months. A full recovery is up to six weeks away and only five rounds of the home-and-away season remain. The Hawks are out of all finals contention. But has he played his last game for Hawthorn? Period?
The Article Stephen Rielly/TheAge/03Aug06
I'd rather milk Kiwi cows than move to Sydney: Spida ABCSport/03Aug06
Off-field indiscretions by AFL players in 2006 TheAge/03Aug06
Brawling Pies to escape the axe Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/03Aug06
Beattie urges Aker to pursue politics AAP/WestAustrlian/03Aug06
AFL image hit again Paul Malone and Tom Morrissey/TheCourierMail/03Aug06
Footballers still behaving badly despite best efforts of clubs Peter Kogoy/TheAustrlian/03Aug06
Barry Hall rightuous AFL Players on behaviour HeraldSun/03Aug06
(Carlton) Player slapped woman, court told AAP/HeraldSun/03Aug06

It's the magic millions
Fab four to reap rewards of five-year, 25 per cent pay rise. The AFL is likely to have at least four $1 million a season players by 2011 after yesterday announcing a 25 per cent increase in wages over the next five years as part of the collective bargaining agreement. Under the new deal, the average player wage will leapfrog beyond $200,000 a year next season when a 7.3 per cent rise is introduced. This will then progress to a seven per cent rise in 2008, 3.5 per cent in 2009, 3.3 per cent in 2010 and 3.3 per cent in the last year of the deal. Last year's AFL annual report revealed three players received more than $800,000 in 2005, so the increases should see the wages for the best players in the land soar. The four superstars expected to earn $1m from playing fees alone are West Coast captain Chris Judd, Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich, St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt and Brisbane Lion Jonathan Brown. At the end of this season West Coast are expected to offer Judd a deal worth nearly $1m a year in a bid to extend his contract beyond 2007.
The Article Mark Duffield and Craig O'Donoghue/WestAustralian/03Aug06
AFL kicks in millions to prevent soccer drift David Reed/WestAustralian/03Aug06

Gehrig kicks bagful as Saints run riot
. . . Gehrig ran riot as he became the first AFL player this season to kick 10 goals in a match, booting seven to halftime. His Saints teammates Leigh Montagna and Jason Gram also had days out. Montagna kicked three goals and had more than 30 touches on a wing, while Gram kicked four goals and gave the Saints huge run off a half-back flank. The Saints dominated from the first bounce but took complete control in the second quarter with a nine-goal burst - five of which Gehrig kicked. They then backed it up with another nine-goal quarter in the third term.
The Article AAP/HeraldSun/29Jul06
Gehrig kicks bag as Saints run riot AAP/TheAge/29Jul06

Line of Fire by Robert Drane Inside sport article Inside Sport/Trueman/saintsational
This is a great read and fabulous pictures but the files are big, and loading will be very slow, especially for dial-up users - but very much worth the wait.

G-Thomas lauds G-Train
Fraser Gehrig had the most productive match of any forward so far this season when he torched the Tigers for 10 goals at the MCG on Saturday and while Grant Thomas described the effort as "tremendous", he's been more impressed with other facets of the G-Train's game this year. "I wouldn't expect him to be kicking six or eight or 10 next week, I just expect him to kick a couple, create a couple, put enormous pressure on in the forward line and give a valuable effort every single time the football gets delivered to him," Thomas said following the match. "I think that's what he's been best at this year, he's taken his leadership and his direction to a new level - he's been outstanding. I really couldn't care less about how many goals he kicks, I'm more interested in how he carries himself and the dynamic that he carries within the team and that's been nothing less than outstanding."
The Article Jason Phelan/Sportal/saints.com.au/30Jul06

Baker out for two
St Kilda tagger Steven Baker has been suspended for two matches after failing to convince the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night that he was not guilty of a charge of attempting to strike. Baker was charged with a level four offence for attempting to strike Tigers ruckman Greg Stafford during the second quarter of Saturday's match at the MCG. The incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point), behind play (one point) and high contact (two points).
The Article Sportal/saints.com.au/01Aug06

New rules no help to injuries: expert
AFL initiatives aimed at preventing injuries to players by making them fatigued could in fact cause an increase in hamstring-related injuries, a leading sports physiologist believes. This season the AFL instituted the fast kick-in rule in an attempt to speed the game up and make players more fatigued so that physical clashes would occur at lesser speeds later in matches. The AFL is also considering changes to the interchange rules to limit the number of interchanges per match or reduce the number of players on the bench. Either reform would likely result in greater player fatigue. But Professor Uwe Proske, who studies hamstring injuries with the Monash University Department of Physiology, says research he is conducting into sensory aspects of body positioning indicates that overstriding by athletes, where they swing the leading leg too far forward during running, is an action believed to be a potential cause of hamstring injury, and that this may, in part, be caused by fatigue.
The Article Lyall Johnson/TheAge/01Aug06
Clubs adjust to keep injury rate down Lyall Johnson/TheAge/01Aug06

Battlers cry poor as cream gets cash
The AFL will today announce to the 16 clubs that base player payments will increase by more than $93million over the next five years. But the new collective bargaining agreement between the AFL and the AFL Players Association is sure to meet with protests from poorly performed clubs because of additional financial rewards for players in finals. The eight clubs that play in finals from next year will collectively benefit by between $2.6m and $3m, of which $1m will be guaranteed to players by the AFL and will be exempt from the salary cap.
The Article Greg Denham/TheAustralian/02Aug06

Wounded Tigers slapped with bans
. . . Two Tigers - Troy Simmonds, touted as the best big man in the competition this year, and his fellow ruckman Greg Stafford - face suspension after the match review panel's assessment. Andrew Raines was more fortunate: he can accept a reprimand for tripping St Kilda's Aaron Fiora. He would not miss a game but would carry 93.75 demerit points forward. St Kilda's Steven Baker and Geelong's Cameron Mooney also were offered suspensions over incidents in their games . . . Simmonds was charged with striking St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt during the final quarter of Saturday's match. It was a level three offence and he can reduce a two-match suspension to one match if he takes the 25 per cent discount for an early plea . . . Stafford has been charged with rough conduct against Brendon Goddard during the second quarter. His action resulted in the Saint being taken from the field with concussion . . . Baker was offered a one-match ban for attempting to strike Stafford. The incident occurred in the aftermath of Stafford's clash with Goddard. Again, Baker's record took what would have been a one-game penalty to two. He can reduce this back to one with an early plea.
The Article Len Johnson/TheAge/01Aug06

The run home
The Saints were the big winners from round 17 after moving into the top four courtesy of their percentage boosting win over Richmond. But they face a tough battle to stay there with Collingwood breathing right down their neck. The Saints could need to win four of their last five matches to remain in the top four but not only face tough home games against West Coast, Geelong and the Bulldogs but also testing interstate trips to Fremantle and Brisbane.
The Article Pual Gough/afl.com.au/31Jul06

Koschitzke breaks silence
. . . St Kilda's Justin Koschitzke is over the worst. Time is killing him still, specifically that it's running out this season. And there's that damned bruise on his brain that won't be soaked up by whatever soaks up bruises. But he's over the worst. He is waiting for neurological specialists to give him the OK to play. He will have tests again next week -- those same tests that ruled him out of the Richmond game. If he is given the green light he will play in Round 20. If not, he will wait for another fortnight for the tests again.
The Article Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/01Aug06

Koschitzke told to stop your sooking
At his lowest moment, Justin Koschitzke's brother Ryan snapped him out of the abyss. Now 19, Ryan was born with spina bifida. When Koschitzke was feeling sorry for himself after his clash with Daniel Giansiracusa in Round 6, Ryan gave him the reality surge that has Koschitzke just weeks away from playing AFL again.
The Article Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/01Aug06
Brother inspires Koschitzke Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/01Aug06

Players to win cash for winning flags
AFL players will be given even greater incentive to win a premiership from next year - access to hundreds of thousands of above-table cash. The AFL Players' Association has negotiated the pot of gold as part of its collective bargaining agreement discussions with the AFL. While the deal is yet to be sealed, it is understood at least $500,000 is to be made available as part of a finals incentive package. The scheme will be fully funded by the AFL and fall outside salary cap rules.
The Article Jon Anderson/HeraldSun/01Aug06

Windfall for clubs without stadium deals
The AFL is set to provide more financial assistance to Victorian clubs, equalising the competition further by "topping up" the returns of clubs that do not have favourable stadium deals. While the Kangaroos, Western Bulldogs and Melbourne already receive millions in special assistance - known as the annual special distribution (ASD) - the AFL is believed to have accepted the argument that other clubs, too, might be entitled to help if they have poor stadium deals that make it harder for them to make money. The clubs likely to benefit from a topping-up strategy are MCG tenants Hawthorn, Richmond, Melbourne, Telstra Dome tenant St Kilda and possibly even Port Adelaide, the most financially precarious of the non-Victorian clubs.
The Article Jake Niall/TheAge/02Aug06

ESPN keen to present pay-TV bid
Giant global sports network ESPN remains an active player in the drawn-out tussle for AFL pay-TV broadcast rights, a senior executive has confirmed. Bernard Stewart, vice-president and general manager of ESPN Asia Pacific and responsible for its Australian operations, said he would love to televise AFL if the price was right. Channel Seven and Ten snared all rights to telecast the sport from 2007 to 2011 in January this year for $780 million. However, the pay-TV component remains unresolved, leaving incumbent Foxtel (and its Fox Footy Channel) with an uncertain future. Like other parties, ESPN must wait and see what Channels Seven and Ten have to offer.
The Article Jordan Chong/TheAge/02Aug06

Rules saving ruckmen
Rucking is a far safer occupation in the wake of centre-bounce rule changes. The AFL's 2005 injury report, released yesterday, proves the new 10m centre circle has all but killed off concerns about the occurrence of posterior cruciate ligament injuries to ruckmen. With a shorter run-up taking away full-throttle collisions at the centre bounce, not one ruckman suffered a posterior cruciate knee injury last year. Before last year's centre circle change as many as five ruckmen a season were struck down by the injury. AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson was thrilled with the result. "We have been successful in reducing posterior cruciate ligament injuries in ruck contests and the result is more of our star ruckmen are staying out on the paddock," Anderson said.
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/01Aug06

AFL 'safer than ever'
The AFL recorded its second-lowest year for injuries in 2005, with a massive decrease in the number of knee injuries recorded from ruck contests. The figures show changes to rules governing ruck contests have made AFL "safer than ever", according to one official. In response to concerns that collisions between ruckmen at the centre bounce were causing posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries, the AFL introduced a new rule at the start of 2005 that restricted the run-up of ruckmen in the middle. Of the 13 players who suffered PCL injuries in 2004, nine of those injuries happened at the centre bounce. But of the nine players who suffered the same injury last year, none of those occurred in the ruck contest.
The Article Scott Spits/TheAge/31Jul06
Painkillers 'not an issue': AFL Scott Spits/TheAge/31Jul06
Injury toll diminishing, says AFL report Len Johnson/TheAge/01Aug06

Finalists clear, but Crows show they're flawed
. . . Adelaide must remain favourite for the premiership, but its lead at the top of the ladder has been cut to one game. More significant was the destruction of the common belief that the Crows might have discovered a formula of fitness and finesse that could not be figured out by opposition clubs. So widely and strongly held was this thought that one commentator on the weekend was moved to declare that Adelaide was the "best drilled team in history". The Crows were undone by the fierceness of the Eagles' midfield. It never allowed the Crows to tamper with the tempo of the game. Thus, the best defence in the league gave up 165 points, while the most productive forward line in the league could only offer 83 points to offset the damage. Crows coach Neil Craig told The Weekend Australian that success comes with no guarantees. It will be of little comfort to him that he was proved right.
The Article Patrick Smith/TheAustralia/31Jul06
Clubs behind eight ball only playing for pride Chip Le Grand/TheAustralia/31Jul06

G-Train builds steam
. . . Grant Thomas: "He's been outstanding and I couldn't care less about how many goals he kicks. I'm more interested in how he carries himself and the dynamic he carries within the team. He really understands now that he can make a big impact on his teammates and he's making every post a winner in that regard. I just think that when he finishes (playing) he wants to know that he's given his all for his last few seasons, and he's working very hard towards that." The Saints had few hiccups in their win and were even able to rest full-back Max Hudghton for more than a quarter because of fluid in a knee. Brendon Goddard, knocked senseless from a big hip and shoulder by Greg Stafford and taken from the field on a stretcher, was able to come back on after the mandatory 20 minutes. And it was left to the 179cm Steven Baker to remonstrate against the 204cm Stafford.
The Article Michael Stevens/HeraldSun/31Jul06
Melbourne's double hammy whammy Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/31Jul06

Saints delight Thomas
St Kilda's 103-point thrashing of Richmond on Saturday came on the back of a consummate team performance according to coach Grant Thomas. Thomas was thrilled with the way in which his players adhered to team rules from start to finish and didn't hesitate to highlight that particular facet of their game when asked what he had enjoyed most about the performance.
The Article Paul Gough/saints.com.au/29Jul06

Saints demolish Tigers
St Kilda is fast emerging as Victoria's No.1 premiership contender this season after its hot streak in the second half of 2006 continued in emphatic fashion at the MCG on Saturday. The Saints took full advantage of an injury-riddled but uninspired Richmond to give their percentage a huge boost with a resounding 27.12 (174) to 10.11 (71) win. The result means the Saints have now beaten the Tigers by an average of 10 goals in their past seven meetings. The win - the highlight of which was a season's best 10 goals from spearhead Fraser Gehrig - was enough to see Grant Thomas's team move back into the top four as its odds of securing the double chance shorten by the week.
The Article Paul Gough/saints.com.au/29Jul06

Saints are hot
After a fortnight of nail-biting anxiety and lucky wins against Essendon and Port Adelaide, St Kilda fans yesterday relaxed, cheered and drooled as their warriors went on a warpath. The Saints went on a spree of huge dimensions against a devastated Richmond combination. They piled on a club record score against their opponents, a record goal-kicking spree by full-forward Fraser Gehrig and a percentage-boosting 103-point win that may yet land a top-four finals spot.
The Article Rod Nicholson/HeraldSun/29Jul06

Gehrig boots Saints into form
When Nick Riewoldt bypassed the vacant goals and spotted up Fraser Gehrig from only 35m out, midway in the third term yesterday, it seemed even St Kilda had lost interest in proceedings. With the Saints run into spectacular form by a woeful Richmond team, Riewoldt was mirroring the crowd's only remaining curiosity: how many goals would big Fraser snare? Gehrig would kick truly for his ninth consecutive goal as he and Riewoldt, too, ran themselves into top form. By that stage Gehrig had 54 points to Richmond's collective 49.
The Article Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/30Jul06

Thomas won't rush Kosi
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has confirmed that unfavourable results from the latest round of neurological tests conducted on Justin Koschitzke mean there is no timetable for the injury-cursed ruckman's return to football. Thomas had stated last Sunday that Koschitzke was a "50-50 chance" to play either with the Casey Scorpions or the Saints this weekend and said that his chances were "firming to come into our side" as the minutes went by. However, his name was missing from the team sheet published on Thursday, and while Thomas maintains an optimistic outlook, he was not prepared to put a timeframe on his player's return when he spoke the media on Saturday.
The Article Jason Phelan/saints.com.au/29Jul06
Kosi's season may be over Rohan Connolly/TheAge/30Jul06
Brown to farewell 2006 Paul Gough/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/30Jul06

Koschitzke may miss rest of season
St Kilda's mauling of Richmond yesterday was tempered by news from coach Grant Thomas that Justin Koschitzke may not play again this year because of bruising on the brain. Thomas confirmed reports that St Kilda's team of neurological specialists had detected the damage on Thursday, and said the club would not risk his long-term health. "There is no guarantee that 'Kosi' will be back this year," he said after the club's 103-point win over Richmond.
The Article Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/30Jul06

Whose next for Saints' captaincy?
. . . The Saints are one of many clubs that will cast an eye over prospective leaders as the season winds down, even as they work on much bigger priorities, such as finals and breakthrough premierships. In what will be an off-season of unprecedented change in the AFL, as many as 11 of the 16 clubs will make key decisions on the men who lead them in 2007. Consider this amazing state of affairs for just for a moment. Michael Voss, Anthony Koutoufides, Nathan Buckley, Steven King, Richard Vandenberg, David Neitz and Peter Bell will ponder whether to hand the captaincy on to a younger candidate.
The Article Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/30Jul06

Tigers' finals hopes take a dive
Richmond's hopes of qualifying for the AFL finals series received a telling blow with a 103-point thrashing by St Kilda in their round 17 match at the MCG this afternoon. Fraser Gehrig kicked 10 goals as the Saints triumphed 27.12 (174) to 10.11 (71), handing Richmond their third-straight loss. Before the match the Tigers sat in 10th place - one win outside the top eight - but could fall back to 11th should Brisbane down Essendon at Docklands tonight.
The Article ABCSport/29Jul06
G-Train's 10 sinks Tiges Sportal/mcg.org.au/29Jul06

McLaren steals title for Victoria in thriller
Former St Kilda and North Melbourne midfielder Joe McLaren yesterday propelled Victoria to a sensational victory over the ACT in the division-one final of the Australian Country Football Championships at Southport, on the Gold Coast. The ACT was leading by a goal in the final seconds when McLaren, playing-coach at Koroit in the Hampden league, received a free kick in Victoria's defence. A 50-metre penalty took him to the attacking side of the centre circle, from where he unloaded a thumping torpedo that sailed through for a goal. The siren then sounded, with the scores reading Victoria 15.10 (100) to the ACT 14.16 (100). During the two five-minute periods of extra time, Victoria kicked three goals, while holding the ACT scoreless. McLaren kicked two of the three. The final score of 18.10 (118) to 14.16 (100) gave Victoria its first title in the biennial country championships since 2000, when Simon Goosey kicked 10 goals during Victoria's win in the final at Wagga Wagga. NSW won in 2002 at Berri, South Australia, and the ACT in 2004 at Bunbury, Western Australia.
The Article Paul Daffey/TheAge/31Jul06

Star Eagles a chance to return
West Coast could regain star midfield pair Chad Fletcher and Andrew Embley for Friday night's blockbuster with St. Kilda at Telstra Dome. Fletcher has been plagued by a hamstring strain, while Embley was a late withdrawal from last Saturday's impressive thumping of Adelaide with a similar hamstring twinge. Both are expected to press their claims for a recall at training this week. Number one ruckman Dean Cox could also make a surprise return from a collarbone injury, with the club listing him as facing a fitness test, along with youngster Matthew Rosa (corked thigh).
The Article FootyGoss/31Jul06
Injury report delivers good news for ruckmen ABCSport/31Jul06

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