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2006 Round 19 - Home and away Season
Pre Game Articles - St Kilda Saints vs Geelong Cats


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Next Match: Round 19
Geelong vs St Kilda
Telstra Dome, Sunday 13th August, 2:10pm

Worth the wait
Jason Gram's success this year is having far-reaching reverberations. After four seasons of producing next to nothing, Gram himself feels as relieved as he does rapt to have finally come good. The feeling's mutual among his St Kilda coaches and teammates who, until recently, saw him spend the best part of two years on their injury list. Up north, the Brisbane folk that let go their fi rst pick of the 2001 draft after just two seasons would have also observed Gram's giant strides, and inevitable bounces, with more than passing interest, if not a hint of regret. And in the rural Victorian city of Sale, Roddy Gram's menswear business is bustling . . . Injury had been his greatest impediment, but Gram felt ashamed of the record. "When I'd go back home people would say 'when are you going to get a game? Are you going to be on the list next year?', and that's pretty embarrassing" . . . On field Gram's objective is uncomplicated. Once he gets the ball, he carries it as far as he can and then tries to kick long to a forward.
The Article Samantha Lane/TheAge/12Aug06

Saints still in hunt
. . . The good news is that Gehrig is said to be as mentally fresh as he has been in years - and keen to push on into next season . . . Breen believes a first-up final interstate is not necessarily the best path to the Grand Final. "If St Kilda finished third or fourth, they may well be disadvantaged because they would more than likely have to travel to Adelaide or Perth," he says. "Maybe finishing fifth is a better option - although it is sudden death, they would be much better off having to play in Melbourne. (If they did finish top four) I would rather, then, play Adelaide. I am not quite sure how they will stack up under finals pressure."
The Article Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/13Aug06
Cats can't afford another loss Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/13Aug06

Koschitzke all clear
. . . Coach Grant Thomas said he expected the 23-year-old to play 60-80 per cent of the match, rotating as a ruckman and forward. "I don't expect him to play 100 per cent, but (Cain) Ackland doesn't play 100 per cent, (Michael) Rix doesn't, (Jason) Blake doesn't, none of them do," Thomas said. "Just probably as a forward and as a ruckman, if we got 60 per cent out of him it would be a good contribution. He's been training well and had the green light so (we are) really excited for him. He's really excited and looking forward to getting back into footy and getting all this attention off him."
The Article Jackie Epstein/HeraldSun/13Aug06

Koschitzke prepares to face nerves and the Cats
Justin Koschitzke will make his long-awaited, much anticipated return to senior footy today — most likely in a protective helmet and, according to his coach, feeling just a touch anxious. Koschitzke has faced countless examinations since fracturing his skull in round six, but passed his final test at St Kilda's light training session at Moorabbin yesterday, before the team takes on Geelong today. At Telstra Dome this afternoon, the eyes of the football world will be on the exceptionally talented forward/ruckman. "He's really excited and looking forward to getting back into footy and getting all of this attention off him. But I think there's no doubt that there would be some degree of trepidation in his mind somewhere," coach Grant Thomas said yesterday.
The Article Samantha Lane/TheAge/13Aug06
Footy's not brain surgery, but it is science Michael Voss/TheAge/13Aug06

Kosi a definite starter
. . . "He's been training much longer whereas last time he didn't have as much training he's had and therefore we felt the blow-outs at Casey would be more beneficial for him but given he's been training for as long and as solidly as he has, we think he's ready to go," Thomas said. "You'd expect everyone who plays to be some target. If they want to put some extra effort in on 'Kosi' that's their business. He's a big boy, he can look after himself even though the little fella bowled him over last time he was out."
The Article Matt Burgan/Sportal/saints.com.au/12Aug06
Saturday Training Report - saintsational.com

Grant expects Raph spark
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas believes versatile Saint Raphael Clarke is capable of making an impact against Geelong on Sunday, even though it will be his first senior match in what has been an injury-riddled 2006 season. Clarke did not play his first VFL match this year until the AFL's round 12 equivalent, because of hamstring and quadriceps problems and he was again sidelined with a quad injury from rounds 15 to 17, before returning last round for Casey Scorpions. Yet Thomas said Clarke has proven in the past that he can bounce back from injury with strong performances.
The Article Matt Burgan/Sportal/saints.com.au/12Aug06

Maguire sets return date
Matt Maguire, who had a third and final operation on his broken leg yesterday, hopes he will be back for Round 1 next year. The St Kilda back man was expected to leave hospital yesterday and return to his hometown Warrnambool for a week. Speaking for the first time since breaking his leg against West Coast eight days ago, Maguire said he was in good spirits. It was a different story to Tuesday, when Maguire needed urgent attention to release pressure in the muscle around the broken tibia and fibula bones in his left leg. They were symptoms of compartment syndrome. He had had a titanium rod inserted in his leg on Saturday.
The Article Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/12Aug06

Ablett to return early
Geelong star Gary Ablett is set to make an early return to the Cats' side for Sunday's must-win clash with St Kilda at Telstra Dome. Ablett was expected to miss up to three games after injuring his AC joint against the Kangaroos in round 17. But coach Mark Thompson said the forward had put his hand up for selection, along with injured defender Jarad Rooke (shoulder) who has missed the past two games. "He's (Ablett) really given himself a chance to play. If Gary says he's right to go he is, he's usually pretty cautious with injuries," Thompson said.
The Article Sarah Bieske/GeelongAdversiser/geelonginfo.com.au/11Aug06

Preview: Geelong v St Kilda
. . . The Saints have been written off in the media and have lost their inspirational centre-half back, but the side is still fifth, has won five of their past six games, and a victory over the Cats will just about ensure September action. An enormous amount is riding on this Sunday's battle. A third-straight finals appearance beckons while victory will almost certainly quash Geelong's finals hopes.
The Article Nick Hulett/saints.com.au/11Aug06

Cats to regain star trio
Geelong coach Mark Thompson has said that Gary Ablett, Jarrad Rooke and Cameron Mooney will all be in line to play in this week's must-win game against St Kilda on Sunday at Telstra Dome.Speaking ahead of training at Skilled Stadium on Wednesday, Thompson said Ablett and Rooke would be assessed before determining if they'll come back into the side while Mooney is a definite starter.
The Article Mark Rasmussen/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/09Aug06

When football reveals full cast
. . . The Eagles' match last week against St Kilda was a minor classic. St Kilda had the forwards and, I thought, more individually skilled players around the ground. West Coast had Chris Judd, Daniel Kerr, Ben Cousins and a team that had to get to each and every intersection in the game a fraction ahead of its rivals. Age illustrator John Spooner, no mean observer of the game, described the tempo of that particular match as one of "stressed intensity". Players playing at their limits again and again and again until the game became long sequences of such moments.
The Article Martin Flanagan/TheAge/12Aug06

Teams: Kosi return all go
While the Saints still have a training session today before the Telstra Dome match, Thomas was confident the luckless Koschitzke would pass the final hurdle. "There is no more doubt on him than any other player now," Thomas said last night. "We're ready to go, he's ready to go. He'll get through the session, he's got through every other one. He's been getting through training for three or four weeks, it hasn't been a problem. "We don't expect there to be any changes, barring mishap at training."
The Article Rebecca Williams/HeraldSun/12Aug06

Kosi makes the cut
The Saints have selected ruckman Justin Koschitzke for his eagerly anticipated return to AFL football against the Cats at Telstra Dome on Sunday. Koschitzke, whose last senior game was against the Bulldogs in round six, was one of four changes to the side that lost to West Coast last round, with the Clarke brothers and Michael Rix also named in the 22. The Saints dropped 19-year-old Sam Gilbert and could not consider injured trio Matt Maguire, Leigh Fisher and Stephen Powell. Koschitzke has been named on the bench with Aaron Fiora, Stephen Milne and Rix, while Gilbert, Andrew McQualter and Allan Murray are the three emergencies. Geelong has dropped midfielder James Kelly for Sunday's must-win clash.
The Article Sportal/saints.com.au/11Aug06
Cats settle for two changes gfc.com.au/saints.com.au/11Aug06
Cats bolstered for Sunday gfc.com.au/saints.com.au/10Aug06

Lawsuit risk over surface
The AFL faces compensation claims of millions of dollars over injuries sustained at Telstra Dome because of its inaction on improving the surface, according to St Kilda premiership player and Perth barrister, Brian Sierakowski. With Brisbane Lions' captain Michael Voss deciding not to play at the venue in the Lions' clash tonight against Richmond because he feared it could end his career, Sierakowski said any player who had received a serious injury there would have legal grounds upon which to sue the AFL. Sierakowski, who still practises law in the area of personal injury claims, said unprecedented complaints by clubs and players over the unsatisfactory surface had left the AFL liable because it knew of the problems, but had not been seen to have done enough to fix them. The 1966 St Kilda premiership player said he had cringed last week watching the Saints and West Coast players having their feet slip from under them during their clash on Friday night. Sierakowski said any successful claim against the AFL would create a significant precedent.
The Article Steve Butler, Perth/TheAge/12Aug06
Doom for the Dome (Same article as above) Steve Butler/TheAge/12Aug06

Garry Lyon too critical?
. . . Channel Nine's Sunday commentary team of Lyon, Brian Taylor and James Brayshaw were singled out for too often talking about themselves and not about the game. The clubs were also concerned that Hunt's personal problems had hijacked 3AW's coverage of round-eight matches. Complaints included that some commentators were too critical and bagged clubs unfairly, while others did not do their homework. On the other hand, Fremantle pointed to the Fox Footy team of Clinton Grybas, Gerard Healy and Wayne Carey as an example of commentating excellence. Responding to the criticism, Lyon said a deterioration in the standard of the game had forced commentators to be more creative with their calling.
The Article Sasha Shtargot/TheAge/12Aug06
Footy callers hit back at their critics Geraldine Mitchell/HeraldSun/12Aug06

St Kilda abuzz as Koschitzke given green light
. . . Thomas warned against unrealistic expectations on Koschitzke, whose purple patch of form last year between quadriceps tears served to remind the competition of his match-winning talents. He dismissed the notion of Koschitzke walking into the team as a ready-made replacement for Maguire. Instead, Sam Fisher is likely to get the job on Geelong's charismatic forward Cameron Mooney. "That would be folly. He hasn't played for a long time. He is not even sure of playing this weekend," Thomas said. "That is not in consideration. It is just a matter of Sam Fisher taking a step up." If Koschitzke plays at all, he will spend long spells on the interchange bench.
The Article Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/11Aug06


". . . it was likely St Kilda defender Matt Maguire, who broke his tibia and fibula in a sickening clash with West Coast's Tyson Stenglein, had sustained his injuries because he was unable to stop ". Brian Sierakowski, St Kilda Premiership player and personal injury lawyer.


Koschitzke may be shock inclusion for Saints
Thomas said that Koschitzke would definitely play with either the Saints or their reserves team, VFL side Casey Scorpions, depending on today's match committee meeting, which will decide the 22 for the match. "He's got the green light to continue playing footy, which is great news, and that's what we're most excited about," Thomas said. "If he pulls up OK from today's training session, which went for a while . . . put it this way, it's 100 per cent that he'll be playing this weekend, and I think there's a good healthy chance that he'll play for St Kilda, but we do need to recognise that he hasn't played much footy." Koschitzke was one of four "ins" in St Kilda's squad, along with Xavier and Raphael Clarke and ruckman Michael Rix. Matt Maguire is the costly loss with a broken leg.
The Article Rohan Connolly/TheAge/11Aug06
AFL teams for Round 19 HeraldSun
All Round 19 teams Sportal/afl.com.au
Round 19 previews John Salvado/AAP/HeraldSun/10Aug06
Our experts' tips for Round 19 HeraldSun/11Aug06
Match Review Ben Jenson/TheCattery/11Aug06

Koschitzke given nod for comeback
. . . Thomas is awaiting confirmation from Koschitzke that he is ready, but that seems a formality . . . Defender Matt Maguire has had further surgery on his broken left leg to release a build-up of pressure and severe pain . . . "They made an incision to release fluid from the leg," Thomas said . . . Knee injury victim Aaron Hamill is responding well to treatment and could resume within a fortnight. "He is moving along well and is (in) a much more forward position than this time last week," Thomas said.
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/11Aug06

Kosi named on bench
The Saints have named Justin Koschitzke to play just his third senior game for the season against Geelong at Telstra Dome on Sunday. The unlucky utility made a brief comeback from a fractured skull recently with the Casey Scorpion reserves only to be involved in a collision with an umpire that left him with a split lip, concussion and a one-match suspension. Koschitzke has been named along with Michael Rix, Raphael Clarke and Xavier Clarke, while Matt Maguire is out with a badly broken leg. Koschitzke and Rix have been named on the extended bench alongside Jason Blake, Sam Gilbert, James Gwilt, Stephen Milne and Justin Peckett. Geelong has named four inclusions. With midfielder Jimmy Bartel set to miss this week with a one-match suspension the Cats have named four prospective replacements - Kent Kingsley, Cameron Mooney, Gary Ablett and Jarad Rooke. Mooney is available after serving out his own one-match ban while Ablett has recovered from the shoulder injury he sustained two weeks ago against the Kangaroos.
The Article saints.com.au/10Aug06

Koschitzke possible headache
The likely return of injury-prone St Kilda star Justin Koschitzke, poses another challenge for the Cats ahead of their must-win clash with the Saints . . . Star Cat Gary Ablett has been named in Geelong's squad for the game after missing last week's match with a shoulder injury, as were Jarad Rooke (shoulder) and Cameron Mooney. Forward Kent Kingsley, who was dropped after the Cats' 92-point loss to Adelaide in round 13, was also included after hauls of five and six goals in the VFL in the past two weeks . . . Coach Mark Thompson said earlier this week the Cats' decision to stack its forward line with talls paid dividends against Brisbane last Sunday and would be a feature of the club's game plan for the remainder of the season.
The Article Sarah Bieske/geelonginfo.com.au/11Aug06

Maguire undergoes further surgery
Maguire remained in hospital tonight, but Thomas played down the second operation, saying it would not severely hinder the length of Maguire's recovery. "It's only a matter of a few days setback - it has no long-term effects on him," Thomas said on Channel Nine's The Footy Show tonight. "He had a significant amount of pressure around the injury and the surgery he had which needed to be relieved."They just whipped him into another room and made a quick incision which gave him instant relief." St Kilda had earmarked Maguire to require six months in rehabilitation, slating him for a return to the playing field by the opening round of next year.
The Article TownsvilleBulletin/10Aug06

AFL Preview - Saints vs Cats
. . . The Saints may have lost the pacy Maguire but the Cats' lack of dominant go-to forwards may let them slightly off the hook down back. Should the Saints look to last time these two sides met, they will want to address their continuing deficiency in the ruck as Cain Ackland and Jason Blake were sorely beaten by Steven King and Ottens, while Fraser Gehrig came off second best in a duel with Cats defender Matthew Scarlett. Hayes was a standout for the Saints and his absence will continue to hurt, while Cameron Ling, Darren Milburn and Jimmy Bartel - should he win his battle with the tribunal - will want to exploit the holes left by the Saints' injured personnel.
The Article Jennifer Witham/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/08Aug06

Saint vows to move heaven and earth
St Kilda forward Allan Murray is desperate to prove his worth before season's end to extend his career at Moorabbin. Murray has managed just four senior games with the Saints this year in his fourth season with St Kilda after crossing from Port Adelaide. Murray, who has played just 16 matches since his AFL debut in 2002, admitted he was frustrated he had been unable to win a regular berth in the senior team. Out of contract at the end of the year, Murray hoped he would get an opportunity to show coach Grant Thomas he was worth another punt. "I know there might only be a few more games for me left at St Kilda," Murray said yesterday.
The Article Rebecca Williams/HeraldSun/09Aug06
Cousin Jack the next Riewoldt on the radar David Stockdale/HeraldSun/09Aug06

Robert Harvey Testimonial Postponed
The St Kilda Football Club has this morning announced the decision to postpone the Robert Harvey Testimonial event, to be held on Saturday 26th August . . . A revised date for the Robert Harvey Testimonial will be announced as soon as a date has been confirmed.
Bookings and othere details St Kilda Football Club/saints.com.au/09Aug06

Cousin Jack the next Riewoldt on the radar
Star teenage Tasmanian Devils centre half-forward Jack Riewoldt seems certain to be an early pick in the national draft in November. It was revealed yesterday up to 10 AFL clubs had talent scouts at Saturday's VFL match against Bendigo at Bellerive Oval - most of them to watch Riewoldt. And the cousin of St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt didn't disappoint, racking up 23 possessions, taking 15 marks and kicking four goals. Riewoldt's state under-18 coach Hamish Ogilvie described the day as "Jack-mania."
The Article David Stockdale/HeraldSun/10Aug06

 
       Sweeney Report
  Australan Sport Popularity
        Top 10 % Change
Swimming
Cricket
Australian rules
Tennis
Soccer
Rugby league
Rugby union
Bushwalking/hiking
Gym workout
Motor sport
61
54
54
52
50
42
40
36
36
36
+2
-1
-1
-3
+5
+1
-4
-1
-1
+2
News Logo   The Age - Report


Aussie still rules the football codes
The latest edition of the Sweeney sports report, compiled between October last year and March this year, indicates that 50 per cent of adult Australians are interested in soccer, the code's highest figure in the 20-year history of the report. It trails Australian rules by only 4 per cent, the narrowest gap. It is not hard to think that the margin is tighter still now, after the World Cup odyssey, the imminent restart of the A-League season and the Matildas' feat to qualify for the women's World Cup. But Australian rules is scarcely losing ground, slipping only one percentage point from what was its own record level last year.
The Article Greg Baum/TheAge/10Aug06

Clear finals schedule
. . . Keane said the key factors in this year's finals scheduling will be. - if any non-Victorian team earns the right to host a preliminary final it will host it, meaning that if Adelaide and West Coast finish in the top two as expected and then both win their home qualifying finals in week one then both preliminary finals would be staged outside Melbourne for the first time. - if a Victorian team earns the right to host a preliminary final, that match would definitely be played at the MCG and both preliminary finals would be staged at the MCG if two Victorian clubs earned the right to host them - something that has not occurred since 2000. - 10 finals must be played at the MCG over the first two weeks of the finals in any five year period. - and Telstra Stadium is the first choice venue for any final in Sydney.
The Article Paul Gough/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/09Aug06

Cats feel heat over rumours
There are very few people prepared to dispute the merits of the information super-highway, otherwise known as the internet. There is, though, a football club down the Princes Highway that is doing just that this morning. Geelong Football Club was engulfed yesterday by an internet-driven scandal that began as a rumour posted on a football gossip site on Monday, but which, by late yesterday, was breathing mainstream media air . . . Earlier, Thompson had been asked again to address a rumour of a different kind, that unrest between his players was threatening to derail the team's 11th-hour run at a place in the finals and could, in fact, be the reason for the disappointing year the Cats have had after winning the pre-season competition and starting the home-and-away campaign as one of several premiership fancies.
The Article Stephen Rielly/TheAge/10Aug06
Aaron Fiora Mark R18 - In Toyota 'Mark of the Year' afl.com.au
Fiora's Mark Win TV/Trueman/saintsational

Harvs' night put on hold
St Kilda has been forced to indefinitely postpone this month's testimonial dinner for champion midfielder Robert Harvey. Saints chief executive Archie Fraser confirmed last night the August 26 dinner to honour the dual Brownlow medallist was likely to take place next year because key invitees were unable to attend. Fraser said ticket sales for the testimonial had been strong, but the club did not want to stage a "half-hearted" event. "We had quite a number of guests who were pretty much integral to the night who could not attend mainly because of the short notice," Fraser said. "We sold over 1000 tickets, but a number of people that wanted to be there themselves already had commitments." A new date for the testimonial has not yet been set, but Fraser said it would be next year.
The Article Rebecca Williams/HeraldSun/10Aug06

 

TAB Footytip odds for St Kilda v Geelong
As at 12noon 11Aug06
Source: tabfootytip.com.au

  0-12 13-24 25-42 43-60 61+
St Kilda 5.60 4.00 2.30 14.60 9.60
Geelong 9.60 11.80 30.80 308.00 308.00


Testing time for Kosi
. . . "There is no doubt that he has had a setback, but we are hopeful that he will continue to improve from this point on," Thomas said. "Maybe with a bit of luck, he might be right over the next couple of weeks. But we're not pinning our hopes on Kosi or Aaron to be honest." Even if Koschitzke and Hamill were able to make a return to help the Saints' finals bid, Thomas said he could not expect much from the pair. "If Kosi and Aaron are available down the track, well and good, but we cannot expect too much of them because they have both been out for so long," he said. "They are going to need two or three or four weeks of footy to get themselves to any sort of semblance of form, so they've got a big task ahead of them."
The Article Rebecca Williams/HeraldSun/09Aug06

Wear from Dome brings Voss to his knees
. . . "When it blows up as significantly as it did after that particular game, it makes me sound like I'm bagging the Telstra Dome surface - and I certainly don't mean to - but from my point of view, I pull up the worst of any ground from the Telstra Dome," Voss said. "Whether that has anything to do with the surface or not, I'm not here to debate that. My debate is the fact that my body pulls up a lot more average there than other grounds - " Lions coach Leigh Matthews was tempted to add to the surface debate, saying "Vossy's knees come off the Telstra Dome surface . . . " before saying he didn't want to add anything more. "I think whatever Vossy said is all that needs to be said."
The Article Andrew Stafford/TheAge/09Aug06

Plan surfaces to improve stadium's turf
The AFL Players Association will meet Telstra Dome management within a fortnight to discuss long-term measures to improve the playing surface. Coincidentally, stadium management also announced yesterday it had begun resurfacing an area of the ground as part of its continuing maintenance program. Association operations manager Matt Finnis said players still had concerns about the Docklands surface. "We have maintained our long-term concerns about the surface and have remained vigilant in monitoring the surface and the stadium management over what longer-term solutions they are planning," Finnis said.
The Article TheAge/09Aug06
Bartel 'happy' as penalty is halved Martin Boulton/TheAge/09Aug06
'Negligent' Bartel banned one game AAP/TheAustralian/09Aug06
Creative accounting needed to stop clubs bottoming out Patrick Smith/TheAustralian/09Aug06


"Anyone dare look Robert Harvey in the eye and tell him its all over?". HarveysDeciple (saintsational)


Voss' grounds for retirement
. . . The Dome surface has upset the Dockers, with chief executive Cameron Schwab attacking the AFL about being unable to train on the ground before matches. Melbourne coach Neale Daniher blamed the Dome's shifting surface for the Demons' poor form against Carlton last Saturday. "It's a lot different," Daniher said. "Every team slips and I guess if you play here - and I'm not advocating we play here more - it just takes a little while to get used to." Voss' fellow Brownlow medallist Simon Black has also been less than complimentary. "Telstra Dome is a fantastic venue to play at, but the surface is a bit challenging at times," Black said recently.
The Article AAP/TheAustralian/09Aug06
Voss juggles $1m retirement payout Andrew Hamilton/HeraldSun/09Aug06

Calculating Cats
. . . The Cats' fortunes will rely heavily on the fate of Fremantle (eighth) and St Kilda over the next fortnight. Should either lose its next two games and Geelong defeat both the Saints and Sydney, the Cats will be back on an even playing field for the remaining two rounds of the home and away season. Fremantle, behind the Cats on percentage, faces top-of-the-ladder Adelaide this week, St Kilda in round 20 and second-placed West Coast in the second last round of the season. The Saints' run home is just as tough with the seventh-placed Western Bulldogs to tackle in round 21 before a final-round clash in Brisbane . . . But AFL statistician Col Hutchinson also pointed out Hawthorn's plight in 1999. With just six wins and a draw to its name in round 13 of that year, the Hawks had all but been written off before making a late charge to September, only to miss out by two points.
The Article Sarah Bieske/Geelong Advertiser/geelonginfo.com.au/08Aug06

Saints marching out of Tassie
Hawthorn are poised to take over St Kilda's contract to play games in Launceston after the Saints requested permission from the AFL to withdraw. The Hawks already have an agreement to play two matches at York Park, so the new deal - with the financial arrangements still to be finalised - will see them play four games a year in Launceston until at least the end of 2010. St Kilda chief executive Archie Fraser says the Saints would be delighted if Hawthorn took over their games. "Effectively we're looking to play as many games in Melbourne as possible," he said.
The Article ABCSport/08Aug06

Concerns grow for Hamill
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas admits he is growing increasingly concerned at veteran forward Aaron Hamill's battle to overcome his latest knee injury. Hamill, who has not played since round seven, underwent a further check-up on his injured knee on Tuesday with Thomas admitting his star forward had suffered a setback in his recovery. While Hamill says he is hoping to return to action "in a couple of weeks", Thomas told Channel Ten on Tuesday that Hamill was struggling in his recovery.
The Article Paul Gough/Sportal/saints.com.au/08Aug06


"Geelong, which must beat St Kilda on Sunday to keep its slim finals hopes alive, has recalled midfielder Gary Ablett despite a shoulder injury which was expected to sideline him for a further fortnight. " AAP/Sportbet/11Aug06


Koori Mentors win Young Achiever Awards
St Kilda footballer Allan Murray and Koori Education Officer Isaac Haddock were today announced as Aboriginal Young Achievers for 2006. Presenting two study bursaries worth $5000 to the young men today, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Gavin Jennings said the men were leaders in their communities and showed a strong commitment to young Indigenous people. Allan Murray is a St Kilda footballer who co-founded the Unity Foundation, which supports Indigenous and non-Indigenous athletes to deliver a healthy lifestyle messages to young people throughout Melbourne as well as highlighting aspects of Indigenous culture. The Unity Foundation runs a weekly breakfast program at the St Kilda Football Club in Linton Street, Moorabbin, where about 15 youngsters from southern metropolitan region of Melbourne, meet each week for a healthy breakfast and a life skills program.
The Article FootyGoss/08Aug06
Allan Murray - 2006 Victorian Young Aboriginal Achiever St Kilda FC/saints.com.au/08Aug06

Round 18 medical room
Matt Maguire - Diagnosis (Leg): Maguire broke both his tibia and fibula bones in his lower left leg in a sickening collision with Eagle Tyson Stenglein on Friday night. Maguire underwent surgery on Saturday to insert a titanium rod down the middle of the tibia bone to stabilise the fracture.
Doc says... This is a significant leg break and Maguire will face an extended rehabilitation over the next six to nine months. He will need to regain strength and balance in the ankle before returning to competitive football. St Kilda is optimistic he will return for Round 1 next season but this would be considered the minimum time required to regain full function.
Luke Ball - Diagnosis (Shoulder): Ball collided heavily with Eagle Daniel Kerr during the third quarter of Friday's match injuring his right shoulder. He left the field and returned with heavy strapping.
Doc says... Ball appears to have an AC joint injury and will require ongoing management during the week. He is likely to have residual soreness, but is considered a likely starter for this weekend's match.
Jason Gram - Diagnosis (Ankle): Gram suffered a right ankle injury during the second quarter of Friday's game. He underwent treatment in the rooms including the application of additional strapping.
Doc says... Although he returned to complete the match, Gram appeared to lack his usual flare and dash following the injury. He will undergo further treatment during the week but is still considered a likely chance to play this weekend subject to a fitness test.
The Article Peter Larkins/HeraldSun/08Aug06


"Kosi has got another load of testing this week to see where he is going, If he gets the green light, I'm sure we might be able to sneak him in somewhere. He'll be collecting $200 and going straight into the senior side. " Grant Thomas



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