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Round 18
St Kilda vs. West Coast Eagles
Telstra Dome - Friday 4th August 2006, 7:40pm
Field umpires: Rosebury, Allen, Ryan

Saints' Baker denied 'fair hearing'
. . . Ehrlich (Player advocate) said Houghton never asked Baker if he meant to hit Stafford in the head, and should have done so "as a matter of fairness". By not asking Baker, Ehrlich said, Houghton had not given the player a chance to contest the AFL's case against him, and had also confused the jury. This constituted an "error of law", he said. Ehrlich said Houghton had asked only "non-probing" questions of Baker, and never used the words "head" or "high". But appeals board chairman Peter O'Callaghan QC, in dismissing the appeal, said tribunal chairman David Jones had instructed his jury correctly, and that the jury possessed the relevant facts. O'Callaghan said it was up to the jury to weigh up how much of Baker's evidence it used in finding a verdict.
The Article AAP/news.ninemsn.com.au/04Aug06
Round 18 - All teams HeraldSun/03Aug06

Powell running into prominence
The rising 30 year old has played 139 games with three clubs - after stints with Western Bulldogs and Melbourne - and it's been a topsy-turvy journey. But right now, Powell has got himself back into good physical shape and is playing his best football for the season . . . Powell has now played 65 games with the Saints, and with 11 finals games under his belt, is their third-most experienced finals player behind Robert Harvey and Fraser Gehrig, with 13 each. "As one of the most experienced finals players, I'm aware I've got a big responsibility in the group," he said. Powell said he wasn't sure what role he would be given tonight against West Coast by coach Grant Thomas. "I wouldn't have thought, though, that I'd get a run-with role against either Chris Judd or Ben Cousins.
The Article Greg Denham/foxsports.news.com.au/04Aug06

Ex-St Kilda CEO to help rescue Blues
The AFL has appointed former St Kilda chief executive Jim Watts as a consultant to help Carlton work its way out of financial difficulties. The appointment comes after the league last month granted the Blues a $2 million package to help reduce its $6.2 million debt. The package comprised a $1.5 million interest-free loan, a $500,000 grant to help Carlton maintain its training and administration base, MC Labour Park, and the appointment of AFL commissioner Mike Fitzpatrick to the club's board as an independent observer. AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said Watts - who helped turn the Saints' financial position around during his time as director, vice president and then chief executive, from October 2000 until July this year - was respected by the industry for his strategic thinking and planning.
The Article AAP/TheAge/04Aug06

Burke: Saints can go all the way
. . . "To go all the way they need that consistency from their next rung of players. If that group plays consistently well then you will see St Kilda destroy teams like they did against Richmond last week," said Burke, who watches the Saints in his expert comments role for 3AW radio. "It's a matter of the lesser lights having an influence. Look at Adelaide, guys like Mattner, Bode and Shirley who do a job each week. That's what wins you finals. I really hoped Jason Gram would step up and replace Aussie Jones and he has. Leigh Fisher was always talented and someone who chose the right options. Sam Fisher gets 20 touches a week and hardly gets beaten and Steven Baker just slots in perfectly when needed. They have created a good defensive unit."
The Article Jon Anderson/HeraldSun/04Aug06

Saint pays high price for challenge
St Kilda's Steven Baker will miss tonight's crucial match against West Coast after his appeal against a two-match ban was dismissed last night. It is the seventh time since the AFL's match review panel was introduced that an appeal has failed. Baker could have escaped with a one-match ban had he not initially challenged the panel's assessment of his jumper punch on Richmond's Greg Stafford. By pleading guilty to attempting to strike, he would have received a 25 per cent reduction of demerit points.
The Article Michael Stevens/HeraldSun/04Aug06
Baker out, coach ponders rule Martin Boulton and Lyall Johnson/TheAge/04Aug06

Appeal dismissed
Steven Baker's appeal against a two-match suspension has been dismissed by the AFL Appeals Board on Thursday night. He will miss the vital game against West Coast at Telstra Dome on Friday night and the clash against Geelong at the same venue nine days later. Baker was offered a one-match penalty with an early plea by the AFL's match review panel for attempting to strike Richmond's Greg Stafford on Monday, but that was extended by another match after his unsuccessful visit to the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night.
The Article Jennifer Witham/saints.com.au/03Aug06
Baker loses appeal AAP/HeraldSun/03Aug06

Jumper punch a grey issue
"We'd probably like to see a bit more direction with it, rather than a lot of them being unnoticed or not dealt with and then all of a sudden some are dealt with." There was a hint of wry humour from Thomas, given that Stafford was cleared of any wrongdoing after colliding with Saint Brendan Goddard, while Baker received a two-match ban for attempting to strike the Tiger. "That would be a really strange situation if it existed in all aspects of life, wouldn't it?" Thomas chortled.
The Article Michael Horan/HeraldSun/04Aug06

The transformer
Here's one for the pedants out there. Tonight is Fraser Gehrig's 115th game for St Kilda; he also played 115 games for West Coast from 1995-2000, meaning that his career will be split neatly in two by the end of tonight's game at Docklands. That the opponent is West Coast brings a more interesting thought to mind. What if Gehrig, the indomitable G-Train, was still wearing the blue and gold colours? With that peerless midfield group complemented by a bona fide power forward, would the Eagles be an unstoppable force? Quite possibly, you would have to say. It's a notion that Glen Jakovich entertains occasionally as he watches his beloved Eagles, once again as a premiership chance but with that lingering question hovering over their finishing power.
The Article Mark Duffield/TheAge/04Aug06

Judd, the Eagle who's flown highest of all
. . . As with all football clubs, West Coast's 20-year journey has been punctuated with hiccups and highlights, with embarrassments and enrichments. That's the way it's been since March 29, 1987 when the Eagles overran a spent Richmond to win their first game for premiership points. Over the years West Coast has had its share of players who qualify as all-time greats, and others with a much lesser profile, players who just helped the superstars be superstars.
The Article Ray Wilson/TheAge/04Aug06

Chris Judd sets tough benchmark
In reality it takes 3-5 years, as we are finding out with St Kilda's Trevor(?) Goddard, taken with the No.1 pick in the 2002 national draft. Goddard has discovered what football is all about, going from a bloke who looked a bit windy to a fair dinkum hard-at-it versatile Mr Fixit. Add 21 Gram, the Fisher Kings Sam and Leigh plus the G-Train, which is starting to burn up a bit of coal, and you have a side destined for September. Cuddles Boy (Luke Ball) is also starting to find a bit of form, but will have his work cut out tonight if he plays on his 2001 draft mate Judd. The two young captains are both super players, but if it comes down to a sprint, Ball will be in trouble.
The Article Rex Hunt/HeraldSun/04Aug06
Current Eagles fare well in club All-Stars Mark Duffield/TheAge/04Aug06

Gwilt to make '06 debut
St Kilda has made just one change as it looks to consolidate its spot in the top four with a win over West Coast at Telstra Dome on Friday night. James Gwilt has earned a recall, while Andrew McQualter has been omitted from the side that destroyed Richmond by 103 points last week, but has been named as an emergency along with Michael Rix and Sam Gilbert. Steven Baker has been named in the starting 18 pending the outcome of his appeal against a two-match ban. West Coast has made two changes with experienced duo Chad Fletcher and Andrew Embley coming back into the side after injury layoffs.
The Article saints.com.au/03Aug06

Embley, Fletcher return but Cox still missing
West Coast will be boosted by the return of Andrew Embley and Chad Fletcher for tomorrow night's blockbuster clash with St Kilda. Embley missed last week's demolition of Adelaide with a hamstring strain while Fletcher has missed the past fortnight with the same injury. Ruckman Dean Cox was not named despite flying out with the team yesterday. Brett Jones and Mitch Morton have been omitted. Jones, Morton and Rosa have flown with the squad as emergencies. St Kilda has made just the one change, with James Gwilt replacing Andrew McQualter.
The Article Jay Rooney/footygoss.com
Cox fails in bid to return for Eagles Andrew McGarry/TheAustralian/04Aug06

Ready to face quality
With only one of the Saints' past five wins coming against a top-eight team, Grant Thomas is looking forward to pitting his side against genuine top-two contenders the Eagles at Telstra Dome on Friday night. "West Coast is coming off a big win, we're coming off a big win and they were similar sorts of games," Thomas said from Moorabbin on Thursday. "They were playing the best team in the competition in Adelaide, so they'd be feeling really good about themselves. It'll be a great clash and a great challenge to see how our form over the last four or five weeks is going to stack up against a side that's probably been in pretty decent form all year."
The Article Jason Phelan/Sportal/saints.com.au/03Aug06

Saints prepare for Cox
. . . "There is no doubt they were playing the best team in the comp, Adelaide. They'd be feeling really good about themselves. (So) it's a great clash and great challenge to see how our form over the last four or five weeks is going to stack up against a side that has probably been in pretty decent form all year. They've only lost three or four games." Thomas said Justin Koschitzke would have further tests next week to ascertain his recovery from a fractured skull, and the moment he gets the "green light", he would be back playing. Thomas also expects Aaron Hamill to be out for at least another week with his knee injury. "Aaron will be about another week. We've got a nine-day break after this game and he's trained this week and he'll train all next week and hopefully be available for Geelong, as will Xavier Clarke, as will Raphael Clarke."
The Article TheAge/04Aug06

The Whiteboard
The Eagles will have to find a way to overcome their Telstra Dome "bogy" if they are to be successful here and maintain their grip on the all-important second place. While the Eagles' form on the road has been solid this season with five victories away from home, the Docklands' venue remains a problem for them. The Eagles have tasted victory at the Dome just four times in 12 attempts since John Worsfold became coach in 2002 and were thrashed by Collingwood there only a fortnight ago. And the last time they played St Kilda at Telstra Dome back in 2004, the Eagles were thrashed by 101 points.
The Article Paul Gough/afl.com.au/03Aug06

Cox to miss
West Coast Eagles ruckman Dean Cox will miss tomorrow night's clash with St Kilda at the Telstra Dome despite training at Punt Road this afternoon. Eagles coach John Worsfold conceded it would be too big a risk to play Cox, opting to give the big man another week's rest. Andrew Embley and Chad Fletcher have overcome hamstring injuries and are available for selection, but Worsfold refused to guarantee their spots in the 22 for tomorrow night.
The Article Footyheads/FootyGoss/03Aug06 - 3.00pm
Cox to missThe Article Jason Phelan/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/03Aug06

Saints support Jeans for Genes
St Kilda Football Club is getting behind a good cause, supporting national Jeans for Genes Day on Friday 4th August. Jeans for Genes will be taking over Telstra Dome at the St Kilda v West Coast match on Friday 4 August, with dozens of Jean Genies roving the venue selling funky merchandise.
The Article saints.com.au/03Aug06

Thomas unclear on punches
With the Saints appealing against the two-match ban for attempted striking handed to Steven Baker, coach Grant Thomas has called for clarification from the AFL on the 'jumper punch' phenomenon. Baker was handed the ban following an incident with Richmond's Greg Stafford with the two players pushing and shoving each other with a handful of each other's guernseys. There have been other similar incidents during the season and Thomas felt the area needed some light shed on it. "I'm sure the AFL will sort that out at the end of the year and they'll take counsel from the clubs and everyone else and they'll say, 'this is what we think is going to happen with jumper punches in the future', because I suppose there has been some confusion," he said from Moorabbin on Thursday.
The Article Jason Phelan/Sportal/saints.com.au/03Aug06

Lets get behind the Saints
The Saints take on second positioned West Coast Eagles at Telstra Dome this Friday night, in what will be a defining match for the Saints, who have now strung together five consecutive wins. St Kilda last played West Coast in round one, with the Saints going down by 18 points. 17 weeks later, St Kilda now face last year's beaten grand finalists on the Saints' home turf at Telstra Dome. All Saints fans are encouraged to get behind the boys and show their true voice whenever St Kilda gets the ball. When the Saints got beaten in round one over in the West, Eagles supporters gave Saints fans a rough time. So now it's our turn to display our loyalties and show that we can give as good as we get. Be sure to get behind the red, white and black, support the Saints and show the Eagles that the Saints are a force to be reckoned with, as we head into the business end of the finals!
The Article St Kilda FC/saints.com.au/02Aug06

St Kilda's best chance yet
It may be early to call, but the Saints have their best chance at a premiership this season. This is a big call given the contenders in the race, but the fact is that St Kilda has the experience and depth to take the next step as a group. St Kilda hasn't won ten games in a row this season or possess this year's Coleman Medalist but they have unearthed something they've lacked for a while: depth. The injury bug hasn't allowed the Club's best side to take the field as a unit, but the absence of key players has given a chance for others to step up and shine. Such as players like Leigh Montagna, Jason Gram, Sam Fisher, Leigh Fisher, Michael Rix and Andrew McQualter, who have had more game time and developed as footballers.
The Article Luca Giacobello/saints.com.au/02Aug06

Barrister for Baker
The Saints will employ a barrister in a bid to have Steven Baker's two-match suspension for attempting to strike Richmond's Greg Stafford overturned on appeal tonight. The Saints will contend that the tribunal made an error in law on Tuesday night in deciding that Baker's so-called "jumper punch" was in fact an attempt to strike. Once Baker was found guilty, his previous record came into play, leading to a two-match ban for an offence that was otherwise seemingly innocuous. By contesting the charge in total, he lost any possibility of the 25 per cent discount for an early plea, which would have reduced the penalty to one game. Player advocate Sean Carroll represented Baker on Tuesday night, but the Saints have briefed Melbourne barrister Paul Ehrlich for the appeal.
AFL round-up August 3 TheAge/03Aug06

Worsfold to make decision on Cox
. . . Worsfold said a decision on Cox would also be made after training this afternoon at Punt Road. The Eagles are flying 26 players over to Melbourne, including the 22-man squad that thrashed Adelaide by 82 points last week, as well as Cox, Fletcher, Embley and Matt Rosa, who has overcome a thigh problem.
Baker to fight ban HeraldSun/03Aug06
Cox in the mix for Eagles Justin Chadwick/Sportal/westcoasteagles.com/saints.com.au/02Aug06

Baker lodges appeal
The Saints have lodged an appeal after Tuesday night's tribunal case involving tagger, Steven Baker. Baker was found guilty of attempting to strike Richmond's Greg Stafford and suspended for two matches. St Kilda has appealed on the basis there was an error in law. The Appeals Board will sit tomorrow night, Thursday August 3, at 5.30pm to hear the case.
The Article AFL/saints.com.au/02Aug06

Cox likely starter for Eagles . . .
. . . "The bottom line with Dean is that he's trained for the last couple of weeks, he's moved freely and this week he's been involved in competitive drills without any discomfort," (West Coast general manager of football operations Steve)Woodhouse said. "He feels good and is raring to go, he's been doing pretty much everything." Chad Fletcher and Andrew Embley, who missed last Saturday's 82-point win over Adelaide because of hamstring problems, are also under consideration for returns against the Saints.
The Article Greg Denham/TheAustralian/02Aug06

Worsfold coy about West Coast line-up
West Coast coach John Worsfold was giving nothing away on his line-up to take on St Kilda in Friday night's blockbuster at Telstra Dome. Eagles mentor Worsfold was reluctant to reveal whether All-Australian ruckman Dean Cox would play for the first time since breaking a collarbone in the round 13 home loss to the Western Bulldogs, or whether key midfielder Chad Fletcher and vice-captain Andrew Embley would return from hamstring injuries. "They're likely to play," a coy Worsfold said about the prospect of Fletcher and Embley playing. "We're taking our emergencies over, and we will be naming them tomorrow. As a match committee, we'll have a good look at what we need tomorrow and finalise that."
The Article AAP/TheAge/02Aug06

Saints bid to save Baker
St Kilda is pondering a massive decision today on whether to fight a striking charge against Steven Baker at the AFL Tribunal tonight in a bid to clear the tagger to play against West Coast at Telstra Dome on Friday night. Baker is generally the first option to pick up Eagles ace Chris Judd and his loss would be immense for the Saints, who are trying to shore up a top-four place in the run to the finals. St Kilda may argue with the intentional conduct classification by the AFL match review panel which cited Baker after he and Richmond ruckman Greg Stafford grappled by holding each other's jumper in the second quarter at the MCG on Saturday.
The Article Bruce Matthews/HeraldSun/02Aug06

Tiger goes free, Saint out for two
Two was the number for Richmond and St Kilda at the AFL Tribunal last night. It was a lucky number for Richmond, with both Tigers who appeared free to play this week. Andrew Raines had a tripping charge involving St Kilda's Aaron Fiora downgraded and Greg Stafford was cleared of rough play against Brendon Goddard. No such luck for St Kilda, however, with Steven Baker emerging with a two-match suspension after failing to beat a charge of attempted striking against Stafford, in an incident that arose after a collision with Goddard.
The Article Len Johnson/TheAge/02Aug06
Stafford cleared of charge AAP/TheAustralian/02Aug06
Saints lose Baker for two ABCSport/01Aug06
Umps next in pay queue Daryl Timms/HeraldSun/02Aug06

Pie stars fined, may be dropped
Collingwood has reacted swiftly to revelations that stars Chris Tarrant and Ben Johnson were present at a vicious brawl outside a pub early Sunday morning. The pair have been fined $5000 each and Collingwood chief executive Greg Swan would not rule out further sanctions. Mr Swan said it was up to the match committe to determine if the pair lined up against Adelaide at AAMI stadium on Saturday night. However he hinted at further punishments depending on a police investigation of the brawl which occured at a Port Melbourne nightspot, leaving a man in hospital with head and facial injuries.
The Article HeraldSun/02Aug06 - 12noon
Pies pair fined over brawl AAP/FoxFooty/02Aug06
Statement by Collingwood Football Club AFL/saints.com.au/02Aug06
Tarrant and Johnson linked to brawl HeraldSun/02Aug06
Collingwood players in assault probe Jane Holroyd/TheAge/02Aug06

Ignorance is bliss
. . . Peer into the crystal ball and it is not implausible that Sydney will finish third like last year and be off to Subiaco Oval for another qualifying final against West Coast. That is, despite sneaking under the radar again as Adelaide, West Coast, Melbourne, St Kilda and Collingwood hog the hype . . . Five weeks out from finals the Swans will have the identical 11/7 split to this time last year if they beat second-bottom side Essendon on Saturday night at the SCG . . . Sydney will have their eyes on Melbourne (fifth), Collingwood (fourth) and St Kilda (third). This trio is just one victory clear of them, with Collingwood and St Kilda no certainties of winning this week . . . And St Kilda, hitting top form themselves, meet West Coast brimming with confidence after dispatching with Adelaide by 82 points . . . This is a 50/50 game but should the cards fall the Swans' way, West Coast will prevail . . . St Kilda also have a treacherous minefield to negotiate on their way to finals.
The Article Nikki Tugwell/SydneyDailyTelegraph/02Aug06

Eagles hard-man making waves
Standing at 188cm and weighing 89kg, West Coast's Beau Waters doesn't seem to have the credentials to strike fear into the heart of an AFL footballer, but the youngster is fast becoming the fierce enforcer of the competition. Eagles fans have been spoilt in recent years by the sublime skills of Chris Judd, the gutsy toils of Daniel Kerr and the deft ruck-taps of Dean Cox, but Waters is emerging as a crowd favourite at Subiaco Oval for his unwavering commitment and ferocious attack on the ball . . . He was rewarded for his persistence with a call-up to the squad for the season opener against St Kilda, and has played 14 of a possible 17 games this year - missing one match with a hip injury and two through suspension. Although not a big possession getter - he is averaging just 13 touches a game this season - Waters' relentless attack on the ball and willingness to put his body on the line has pleased Worsfold immensely, and has been a major reason he has remained a vital cog in the coach's plans for 2006.
The Article Justin Chadwick/Sportal/WestCoastEagles/saints.com.au/31Jul06
Eagles firm up in betting Paul Gough/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/31Jul06

St Kilda's planning starts a late-season surge
When St Kilda coach Grant Thomas spoke at length to The Age this week about his team's prospects for the rest of this season, he made much of the Saints' bigger scope for improvement than its top-eight rivals. And if there was any doubt about one area in particular to which he was referring, yesterday's 103-point spanking of Richmond spelt in out in big, bold capital letters. Scoring power was synonymous with St Kilda in each of its past two seasons, the Saints just four points shy of being the AFL's highest-scoring team in 2004, and a clear No. 1 last year. But it was firepower which seemed to have dried up for much of this season, St Kilda ranked just eighth for points scored before yesterday's game, averaging more than three goals per game less than in 2005. It's been St Kilda's defence instead which has been winning the plaudits. But as the Saints chalked up their fifth straight win yesterday, easily their most emphatic of the season, the potency returned. And how.
The Article Rohan Connolly/TheAge/30Jul06

Harvey still tossing up
St Kilda veteran Robert Harvey has said he remains undecided about his playing future but that winning the premiership this year would guarantee the end of his 19-year career. While Harvey said he was leaning towards retirement at the conclusion of this season, he wasn't entirely convinced it was time to hang up his boots. But he said winning a flag - an honour that has eluded him so far - would signify stumps. "It's been the same for the last three years for me, and getting towards the end of the season now I thought this would be my last year," Harvey said on Tuesday. "I sort of haven't changed a whole lot on that, but I'll see how I go. Obviously trying to play in a premiership and we're still alive and kicking there, so I just want to see how the year pans out."
The Article Jennifer Witham/Sportal/saints.com.au/01Aug06
Harvey in limbo AFL Round-up/TheAge/02Aug06

Saints roll Ball for long-term deal
St Kilda has begun negotiations with 2006 captain Luke Ball for a new long-term contract. Ball, 22, who is out of contract at the end of this season after a second two-year deal, has expressed a desire to stay at the club. The 2005 best-and-fairest has struggled with abdominal strains this season, an injury with similar side-effects to osteitis pubis. The injury first flared in Round 1 against West Coast at Subiaco Oval when Ball was chasing Chris Judd. That he has played through the pain has added to his market value even if his leg speed, power and kicking ability have been affected.
The Article Jon Anderson/HeraldSun/01Aug06

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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