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Next Match: Round 20
Frematle vs St Kilda
Saturday 19th August 2006, 5:40pm AWST
TV: Channel 10 Melbourne Live

Baker's back
St Kilda has made two changes to its side for Saturday night's trip to Subiaco to play Fremantle, with Leigh Fisher and Steven Baker returning to the line-up. Fisher has been suffering from a hamstring complaint while Baker missed the past two matches through suspension. Jason Blake and James Gwilt have both been dropped and named as emergencies along with Sam Gilbert, while joining Fisher on the interchange bench will be Raphael Clarke, Justin Peckett and Andrew Thompson. The Dockers have made one change to their side to take on the Saints.
Article & Teams saints.com.au/17Aug06
Grand Final Team Selection saintsational.com
All VFL teams for Round 19 HeraldSun

Patron Saint - Grant Thomas Interview
Grant Thomas is hanging out in the players' lounge at the St Kilda football club, downing a huge ham and salad sandwich. Stephen Milne is presiding over the ping pong table as other players help themselves to lunch. Outside on the lush green of Moorabbin Oval, a dozen kids are kicking footies in the sun. They're indigenous secondary school students, defender Troy Schwarze explains, who come to the club each week as part of a mentoring program set up by his Aboriginal team-mates Xavier Clarke and Allan Murray. Thomas has been hanging around in this room - formerly part of the infamous Saints social club where the players of the 1970s and 1980s drank themselves silly after games - on and off for 33 years, since he arrived as a talented, knockabout 15-year-old from bayside Frankston . . .
Maguire requires fifth Jenny McAsey/TheAustralian/19Aug06

Peckett St Kilda classic
If not for some family pressure and heaps of jibes from his St Kilda teammates, Justin Peckett would have happily ignored the personal significance of tonight's game. The humble veteran will play his 250th game when he lines up against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval. And the road for Peckett, who for some unknown or forgotten reason was first dubbed 'Frankie' while at primary school, hasn't always been a smooth one. He was delisted by the Saints early in his career, only to be re-drafted and he's felt that his time in league footy could have ended abruptly several times. Despite some lean times, Peckett has made a significant contribution to an often struggling St Kilda team and was rewarded with Victorian selection in 1998.
The Article Daryl Timms/HeraldSun/19Aug06

Maguire to have fifth leg operation
Matt Maguire will have a fifth operation on his broken leg this weekend, stretching the St Kilda defender's hospital stay for another week. Maguire could be forced into surgery twice more before he is allowed to go home, with surgeons also considering a skin graft to close a wound on his leg. His badly swollen leg was cut open after he broke it two weeks ago to help release the fluid in it, with a three-centimetre section sewn up this week. Saints coach Grant Thomas said the complications would not hamper Maguire's overall recovery and that while his three-week hospital stay was not ideal, it was a reasonable price to pay for avoiding skin graft surgery. "They'll have another try and hopefully close it totally on the weekend. But if not, he'll wait. It's the best-case scenario," Thomas said yesterday.
The Article Emma Quayle/TheAge/19Aug06
Maguire requires fifth Scott Gullan/TheAge/19Aug06

Footy's Mr Nice Guy
Clarke returned on Sunday along with his brother Raphael, another plagued by the injury curse of Moorabbin. "I've learned now to be more patient and having three weeks off and be ready for finals. In the past, I would've kept playing and usually worn out by the end. This time I've taken more respect into what the physiotherapists and doctors are saying and started listening to them more" . . . The side now takes on a red hot Fremantle, who have won a club record six in a row and appear certain to play finals. These sides have had some memorable and tight contests in recent memory and Saturday night's stage is set; a must win game for the Saints to cement a top four spot, and Clarke believes he holds the answer. "We have guys like Leigh Fisher and Steven Baker who can run with their small forwards, Sam Fisher's quick and so is Jason Gram as well, so I think we've got all basics covered. Michael Rix, who did a good job on Cameron Mooney, along with Cain Ackland, can combat the big men."
The Article Luca Giacobello/saints.com.au/16Aug06
Key Match-Ups R20 saintsational.com
More Match-Ups R20 saintsational.com
Forward Match-Ups from the West - dockerland.com

In praise of Thomas
. . . It's hard to find an unhappy St Kilda footballer. The Saints are a tight-knit bunch who have great faith in the club's program. Injuries to key players have hurt the club this year, but you never hear a whinge. Aaron Hamill has played only six games, Lenny Hayes nine (with no more to come), Justin Koschitzke three, Xavier Clarke nine and brother Raphael one. Two weeks ago, regular centre half-back Matt Maguire broke his leg. A week later, a committed group was too hard for the Cats in a crunch game. The coach got this group up. He convinced them it was effort, not personnel, that was important. The Saints train hard but it's one-in, all-in. Rarely are the players split up. Players are encouraged to drive the session, to take ownership. Good relationships with the players' families are fostered. Parents are made to feel welcome and important. It keeps everyone happy. And when you're happy, you perform well.
The Article Robert Walls/TheAge/19Aug06

Peckett notches up his 250th game
Deemed by many as perhaps one of the Club's most underrated players, Justin Peckett this week plays his 250th game for the Saints. The way in which Peckett will prepare for the match against Fremantle on Saturday night, will undoubtedly be in the same manner in which he goes about his football, with pure professionalism. Drafted from Karingal, Peckett made his debut for the Saints in 1992. Early on in his career, in his trademark long sleeved guernsey with the famous number 1 on his back, many fans will remember 'Frankie' taking solid marks in the back line and being the ever reliable defender. These days, Peckett roams the midfield with a sense of confidence and composure that can come only from experience. Peckett has many fine qualities, including his accurate kicking and his ability to read the play, in a way that has seen him described by many as a player with 'a footy brain'.
The Article Vanessa Gigliotti/saints.com.au/18Aug06

Football fans find the ABC wherever they are
ABC Radio received more than 2000 text messages from football fans in outback towns, on fishing boats and overseas when it asked for a show of support for the broadcaster's bid for an AFL broadcast licence next year. With AFL radio rights negotiations for 2007 and beyond continuing, the ABC fears its tight budget will restrict it in winning calling rights for high-profile matches or it may miss out completely. Last weekend, commentators called on listeners to vote with their phones, attracting 2000-plus text messages from as far off as a fishing boat in the Gulf of Carpentaria, remote communities in Arnhem Land, New Norfolk, Katherine, Buln Buln, Humpty Doo, Belvidere (population 35), Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Beijing, Riyadh, Moscow and Papua New Guinea. National editor of ABC Radio sport, Peter Longman, said it was gratifying to know people were tuning in to the coverage "from all points of the compass".
The Article Jordan Chong/TheAge/16Aug06
Radio's feud for thought Dan Silkstone/TheAge/16Aug06
It's your call, fans Martin Blake/TheAge/16Aug06

Grover in to bolster Dockers' defence
Fremantle has strengthened its defence for tomorrow's finals shaping match against St Kilda at Subiaco Oval, welcoming back Antoni Grover. The Dockers have changed a winning line-up, with Luke Webster dropped from the side that upset the ladder leading Crows in Adelaide last Sunday. St Kilda welcomes back Steven Baker and Leigh Fisher, with Jason Blake and James Gwilt dropped from the side that finished Geelong's finals chances last week. The Dockers have used just 27 players since the mid-season break, less than any other club.
The Article Courtney Walsh and Jenny McAsey/TheAustralian/18Aug06

Gehrig targeted for test of temper
Fremantle seems certain to test the fragile temperament of St Kilda spearhead Fraser Gehrig in a bid to gain a winning edge tonight at Subiaco Oval. Gehrig, the Coleman medallist for the past two years, has infamously lost his temper in games against Fremantle, drastically reducing his impact. Antoni Grover, who drove Gehrig to distraction during the match in Tasmania which became known as siren-gate, has been promoted from the WAFL reserves for the match. Fremantle assistant coach Mark Harvey, quizzed as to Gehrig's previous disciplinary issues, hinted the Dockers' defence may again try to ignite the star's temper . . . But Saints coach Grant Thomas said Fremantle, rather than Gehrig, would be frustrated if it tried to bait the spearhead. "I think he's sort of above that now," Thomas said.
The Article Courtney Walsh/TheAustralian/19Aug06

St Kilda ready to fly flag for Victoria
. . . Thomas suggested the double chance associated with a top four berth was not as important as hitting the finals with a large list of available players and solid form. "Would you sacrifice a top four position to be right on top of your game? I think most teams would," Thomas said. "But if you're not right on top of your game and you're in the top four you've got an extra life, so I suppose they cancel each other out. But what I'd like to do is probably not be in super form, have a top four position, and get the players in good form (for the finals). That would be the right way to be." Thomas is confident the Saints are timing their run well, and ready to improve on preliminary final exits in the past two seasons.
The Article AAP/Yahoo7Sport/18Aug06
Victoria bitter Trevor Grant/HeraldSun/19Aug06
Grounds for legal action Michael Gleeson and Sean Cowan/TheAge/19Aug06

Winmar a spectator
Former St Kilda champion Nicky Winmar will be a notable absentee for Rutherglen when the much anticipated Tallangatta and District Football League finals start this weekend. A shoulder injury will prevent the St Kilda Team of the Century member lining up for Rutherglen against Dederang-Mt Beauty in the elimination final tomorrow . . . But Winmar's nephew Cameron is in contention for a spot after breaking into the seniors late in the season. In an open finals series, Thomson is confident his team is capable of advancing from the elimination final to the grand final. Rutherglen has beaten other finals contenders Dederang-Mt Beauty, Chiltern and Yackandandah during the season.
The Article David Johnston/HeraldSun/19Aug06

Match Review - FootyGoss
. . . For so long Fremantle have frustrated their fans with a possession type game which has more often than not brought about their downfall. However, the inclusion of Victorian Ryan Murhpy has given the Dockers another tall option to go with Matthew Pavlich, which has forced them to play a more direct and essentially more effective brand of football. Meanwhile the Saints appear to be the great white hope of Victorian football at the moment, after knocking off Geelong last Sunday. Despite what many people think, St Kilda has been in reasonably good form having won five straight before losing to West Coast, a match they had their chances to win. The inclusion of Justin Koschitzke is a boost to the Saints side which has been crippled by injuries. A forward set-up of Fraser Gehrig, Nick Riewoldt and Kosichitzke has the potential to cause some headaches.
The Article Tony Keen/FootyGoss/19Aug06

Never a dull moment when Saints play Freo
. . . Fremantle and St Kilda, who meet at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night, have both rallied late to win six of their past seven games and this weekend's winner will go a game clear of the other, with two rounds remaining before the finals. Head-to-head, St Kilda coach Grant Thomas and Fremantle's Chris Connolly have four wins each. The past three games between the pair, who sit fourth and sixth on the ladder on 12 wins apiece, have produced margins of fewer than a goal each time . . . Siren-gate provided one of the biggest AFL stories of the decade after umpires initially failed to hear the siren when the Dockers held sway by a point . . . The whispers in the sky saga started after Fremantle's after-the-siren win over the Saints at Subiaco Oval last August. The Dockers kicked five goals from free-kicks and the Saints were not impressed . . . And let's not forget the very first game in which Thomas and Connolly faced off, at Subiaco Oval in round two, 2002. The Saints led by 38 points halfway through the third quarter before a number of their players suffered dehydration and cramps and were overrun to lose by three points. It was Connolly's first win as Dockers coach.
The Article Greg Denham/TheAustralian/17Aug06
New aim for Dockers is to keep it simple Courtney Walsh/TheAustralian/17Aug06

Profile on Freo's Brett Peake
. . . "Particularly now because things are going well. But we do treat every week on its own. For an example, tomorrow night's game against St Kilda is the biggest in the club's history. That's just how we treat it." Peake has played his part in that success with 14 games this season and is averaging 18 disposals a game. Despite a taste of success he claims he has a long way to go: "I'm learning every week and I have a lot still to learn."
Peake rides wave to stardom Jon Anderson/HeraldSun/18Aug06

Grover off canvas
Fremantle have lobbied the AFL for Antoni Grover to be given All-Australian honours as they recalled the tough defender for tomorrow night's blockbuster against St Kilda at Subiaco Oval. Heavyweight rematch: Antoni Grover leads St Kilda's star goal kicker Fraser Gehrig to the ball during a match at Launceston earlier this season. Grover's battle with powerhouse Saints forward Fraser Gehrig will be pivotal in continuing Docker coach Chris Connolly's claim in 2004 that the two clubs were embarking on a decade-long fierce rivalry. "This is the first round of a 15-round title fight," Connolly said at the time. "It's a Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier 15-rounder. I'm not sure which one we are but they both had their scalps over the journey."
The Article Steve Butler/WestAustralian/18Aug06
AFL pair win injury payouts Sean Cowan/WestAustralian/18Aug06
Dirty Harry Interview swandistrictsfc.com/radio

Goose still laid up
St Kilda defender Matt Maguire remains in hospital as surgeons continue to attempt to repair the shocking leg injury he suffered two weeks ago against West Coast and, despite the prospect of another week laid up, Grant Thomas is unconcerned about the long-term future of the big Saint. "It's not a serious worry, but it's always a concern when someone's in there a lot longer than you expect," Thomas said of Maguire's extended stay on Friday as he and the team prepared to fly out to Perth to take on Fremantle. "He may be in there for another week, they were able to close the wound another three centimetres yesterday and I think he goes in again on the weekend and they'll have another try and hopefully close it totally then, but if not he'll wait."
The Article Jason Phelan/Sportal/saints.com.au/18Aug06
Saints expecting Maguire to make full recovery ABCSport/18Aug06

Dockers aiming for sell out crowd
It was confirmed this morning that there is only 600 tickets left for the clash between the Dockers and St Kilda this Saturday night. Which looks to be a sell out Assistant Coach Mark Harvey hopes the crowd will get behind their team . . . "For this side to play in front of the biggest crowd away from home last week and also what will be a sell out crowd this week, that's going to hold a good standard but they're going to have to perform for the crowd," Assistant Coach Mark Harvey said. According to Harvey St Kilda are in good form and they will be keeping an eye on Riewoldt. "They've got capabilities and talent, they're in good from. Riewoldt is looking dangerous as he's showed he can play on the wing but we will have him right on our card," Harvey said.
The Article Sarah Nicholas/FootyGoss/18Aug06

Show us more cash, clubs tell commission
The short version of what happened late yesterday when the AFL sat down with the 16 club presidents and offered them an extra $1 million a year over five years is that most clubs examined the fine print and didn't like what they saw. The longer version is that what is being waged between the AFL and its clubs is a fight between the present and the future. All parties accepted that good organisations must look after both, but surely the AFL Commission yesterday understood that the balancing act it presented was uneven and heavily weighted towards the future. The truth is that the AFL still doesn't seem to quite get it. Half the Victorian clubs are labouring to service multimillion-dollar debts. More than a quarter of the clubs in the competition will register losses of well over $1 million this year and the clubs are what this game is all about.
The Article Caroline Wilson/TheAge/18Aug06
Clubs to get $1 million Matt Burgan/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au
Mixed reaction to AFL's $1m offer Martin Boulton/TheAge/18Aug06
AFL clubs to receive financial windfall ABCSport/17Aug06

Rex Hunt - St Kilda vs Freo
"They are making me eat my words but I won't swallow them until the Dockers actually win a final. But I agree they are looking seriously good, which is full credit to Chris Connolly who has weathered the storm. Suddenly they are all flying, the Cape (Headland), The Primary Producer (Farmer), Dinger Bell, Happy Gilmore, the Vehicles (Carrs), Jimmy Walker and Fess Parker. As for the Saints, they did what they had to do last week against insipid opposition. They'll have a crack but without Lenny Hayes and with an injured Luke Ball will struggle at the business end."
Rex Hunt Previews Jon Anderson/HeraldSun/18Aug06
Grover replaces axed Webster Jay Rooney/FootyGoss/17Aug06

Another fierce clash expected
. . . Star midfielder Paul Hasleby is only a "50-50" chance to return to the squad as he battles with a frustrating abdominal injury, and Connolly admitted the 25-year-old would not reach 100 per cent fitness for the remainder of the season. "He'll be a midfielder/half-forward, but heavily rotated off the bench," Connolly replied when asked what role Hasleby would play when he does return to the side. "But with his injury he's been able to ride a lot, so his aerobic fitness is very high. It hasn't stopped him from pushing the boundaries there. His muscular endurance can make him vulnerable with fatigue and cramp, and increase the chances of a soft-tissue injury, so we have to be mindful of that." Antoni Grover successfully returned to the WAFL reserves last week in his first match back since undergoing surgery on a dislocated shoulder, and is a chance to return to the squad along with Graham Polak, Paul Duffield, James Walker and Paul Medhurst. However, their chances of a recall received a blow when Connolly revealed he would not be resting any players before season's end.
The Article Justin Chadwick/fremantlefc/saints.com.au/16Aug06
Herald Sun R20 previews John Salvado/AAP/Herald Sun/17Aug06
AFL preview round 20 Rohan Connolly/TheAge/17Aug06 (Video)

AFL warns clubs over fixture deals
. . . AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the league was determined to avoid cash-strapped Victorian clubs being forced to sell home games interstate and then play in their opponents' backyards . . . The AFL has met with the 16 club presidents to gain feedback on the league's plan to provide $1 million funding per club per year under the new $780 million television broadcasting deal . . . AFL chairman Ron Evans said the feedback had been positive, but acknowledged some clubs had pushed for more money. "If you were asking for $2 million and you were offered $1 million I suppose (you would object)," he said.
The Article AAP/Sports.Yahoo/17Aug06

Is this the Dawning of the Dockers?
Soft. Pretentious. Mentally weak. Undisciplined. Content with mediocrity. All of these criticisms have been consistently leveled at Dockers for many seasons now, including this one . . . The Dockers have always had an air of such flirtatious nonchalance that these claims have been undeniable. Players like Jeff Farmer, Paul Medhurst, the eternally frustrating Clive Waterhouse and various others have/had built careers based on unpredictability and showmanship . . . The Fremantle midfield has always been strong, but now - with a core group consisting of Peter Bell, Heath Black, Byron Schammer, Brett Peake, Josh Carr and Paul Hasleby to return from injury - it has a depth that allows for a rotating group of ball-carriers that is perhaps bettered only by that of West Coast. What's more, this stability allows for the Dockers' trump card, Matthew Pavlich, to get more comfortable in the forward line - a role that seems a pivotal one for him to fill for Fremantle to challenge in September.
The Article Matt Cram/FootyGoss/17Aug06
Connolly relaxed ahead of Saints 're-match' Sportal/16Aug06
Victoria doesn't rate Dermott Brereton/HeraldSun/18Aug06
32,000 reasons why AFL fears the world game Ben Martin/WestAustralian/17Aug06
Cats fail to play for Thompson Staff Reporters/TheBladder/18Aug06

The sporting salvation of Stan Alves
Alves was the guest speaker at the Warrnambool and District league's best and fairest vote count on Monday night and held the crowd spellbound with a honest and emotional address. Alves spoke of how after a narrow loss while coaching his son Matthew's football side, his son looked up to him and said: "Can we go surfing next week?". It taught Alves an important lesson. "You can't change the result, so why not get on and do what you want to do." Several months later, Matthew was killed when hit by a train. He was only 13 and Alves was inconsolable.
The Article David Chapman/TheWarrnamboolStandard/16Aug06

Young Aboriginal Footy Hopefulls in Melbourne
The Clontarf Academy visited AFL house and Telstra Dome on Wednesday. The academy is set-up to develop indigenous youngsters. The visit was a part of their journey to Melbourne which was organised to further develop their life skills . . . Clontarf has produced several AFL players including Andrew Krakouer (Richmond), Mark Williams (Hawthorn), Dion Woods (Fremantle), Marty McGrath (Richmond), Michael Johnson (Fremantle) and Paddy Ryder (Essendon).
The Article Sportal/FootyGoss/18Aug06

AFL Match Review
The Verbict
The past three matches between the two teams have produced immense drama. There was 'Sirengate' earlier this year in Tasmania, Justin Longmuir's after-the-siren winner in Perth late last season - not to mention the whispers in the sky saga that followed - and another one-point verdict at the start of 2005. Throw in a draw on Saturday night and you'll get a royal flush. Judging by recent history and with both sides scrapping for a top-four berth, expect more twists in the script this Saturday night.
Draw.
The Review Andrew Wu/Sportal/afl.com.au/15Aug06

We are hungry for another 4 points: Chris Connolly
. . . "We haven't achieved anything on the big front as we haven't won a final in the 11 years we've been playing," Connolly said. Although Connolly said the Dockers were a disgrace, he said that focusing on the upcoming challenges were a must. "Six weeks ago, we were a disgrace. Our strength has been to keep perspective within the club. We must keep focused on the up coming challenges. We have to make sure that all distractions outside the club will not affect us," Connolly said. Connolly said this morning that Paul Haselby won't be at a 100% level for the rest of the season, although he would love for him to play. "Paul has to get the tick by the medical staff and himself, I will make the final decision. He won't be 100% for the rest for the season. He will play off the bench," he said.
The Article Sarah Nicholas/FootyGoss/17Aug06

Anatomy of a superstar - Matthew Pavlich
. . . Pavlich can see the sense of self-belief growing by the game. Last week's upset of top team Adelaide at AAMI Stadium is perhaps the best testament yet as to how far the Dockers have come in just the past couple of months. "I think we're more able to deal with difficult situations now," he said. "Coming in at three-quarter-time after giving up the lead to the Crows on their home ground, in the past in a situation like that, we probably would have fallen over. It shows we've got the experience now, and that we can keep sustaining good efforts." He noted the increased evenness of contributors across the 22. But when it comes to his own, Pavlich is a hard taskmaster.
Victoria bitter Trevor Grant/HeraldSun/19Aug06

What next for Saints v Freo?
it any wonder St Kilda coach Grant Thomas' number one wish for this weekend's blockbuster clash against Fremantle is for the result to be beyond doubt in the closing stages? As the Saints and Dockers prepare to do battle in one of the most important home and away games of the season - with the top four hopes of both clubs on the line - neither club needs reminding of the dramas that have overshadowed the endings of their past three matches. Earlier this year the teams were involved in one of the most controversial finishes in league history with the result of the match eventually overturned in Fremantle's favour by the AFL commission three days later . . . The previous year in Tasmania it was the Saints that scored a one-point win after Aaron Hamill scored a late behind from a contentious free kick. And the last time the teams met in Perth - in round 21 last year - the Dockers scored another controversial win, this time thanks to a goal after the final siren from Justin Longmuir in a game in which the umpiring was firmly under the spotlight.
The Article Paul Gough/Sportal/saints.com.au/15Aug06
Growing concern in the heartland Mike Sheahan/TheAustralian/15Aug06

ABC to avoid football oblivion
ABC radio appears set to retain its rights to broadcast quality AFL matches, following a public outcry over moves to relegate the national broadcaster to coverage of inferior games. Officials were due to meet today to discuss a last-minute compromise under which the ABC is believed to have significantly increased its original financial offer to the AFL in exchange for a share of Saturday afternoon's match of the round. But while the ABC appears to have saved some of its football turf, the multimillion-dollar battle over the radio rights is not yet over. The league is negotiating a new three-year deal with 3AW and Triple M for a significantly richer deal. It is also believed to have received a $3 million bid from newcomer SEN in exchange for one of two "A-class" broadcast packages - which would allow the station to cover the best game each Saturday as well as a Sunday afternoon game in Melbourne. The ABC, which paid only $80,000 for this year's AFL radio rights, had originally increased its 2007 bid to just above $100,000. However, the ABC's board is believed to have approved a six-figure increase over the original offer.
The Article Caroline Wilson/TheAge/17Aug06
ABC raises offer for AFL rights ABCSport/16Aug06
AFL back in Canberra Peter Veness/TheAustralian/16Aug06
One more year for Hird, Archer Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/17Aug06

Clubs set to share in TV cash bonus
AFL clubs could receive a $5 million bonanza as soon as tomorrow when the league announces its decision on a dividend to all clubs after its $780 million five-year television-rights deal. The AFL offered clubs $200,000 each in May, but was forced to reconsider the amount after 15 of the 16 clubs voted to push for $2 million. Sydney warned its rivals that the claim could have a negative impact on negotiations with players for a significant pay rise. The AFL then deferred its decision on club dividends until it announced a 26.7 per cent player payment increase from $103.8 million this year to $131.6 million in 2011. The deal meant the average player wage would jump beyond $200,000 a year next season. West Coast chairman Dalton Gooding said yesterday that the AFL was likely to announce a $1 million a year dividend over the next five years for each club at a presidents' meeting in Melbourne tomorrow.
The Article Steve Butler/TheAge/16Aug06

More surgery for Saint Maguire
St Kilda defender Matt Maguire has had more surgery on his broken leg . . . The 22-year-old backman must now stay in hospital for the next few days so medical staff can gradually close the wound in his leg where he had the surgery. Maguire broke the tibia and fibula in his left leg against West Coast on August 4 and has been in hospital since. The Saints believe Maguire can resume playing again by the start of next season. A club spokesman said the compartment syndrome would have no bearing on his long-term recovery because his broken bones were healing well.
The Article AAP/HeraldSun/15Aug06

There's something about September
The eight is all but settled and while clubs will continue to tell you they are only focusing on the next game, there would be plenty of players dreaming each night of September. It'd be hard not to if you were Chris Grant, Shane Parker, Robert Harvey or Nathan Buckley. Their years of sweat and toil are yet to produce that elusive premiership, although at least Harvey and Buckley have played in grand finals. This year's finals series will be one to savour for so many participants because there will be fewer premiership players competing than at any other time in the past 10 years. Just 34 players on the lists of clubs inside the eight have experienced the elation of a flag. Take out Blake Caracella and Paul Williams, who have already retired, and that number drops to 32.
The Article Ben Allan/WestAustralian/16Aug06

Clubs to fill rookie lists in strings-attached deal
All AFL clubs are likely to have to take a full complement of players on their rookie list next year in exchange for at least $5 million each as their share from the new television rights deal. Under the strings-attached dividend to clubs from the $780 million five-year broadcast deal, all clubs would be compelled to include six players who are either rookies or veterans after receiving at least $1 million a year for five years. Under the plan, clubs could have a maximum of two veterans and four rookies but clubs without a player who qualified for the veterans' list would be required to make up the balance to six players with rookies. Each rookie-listed player will cost about $60,000, while half of a veteran's salary is excluded from the salary cap. The AFL is also likely to announce that clubs can include among their rookies one player of a mature age - older than 23. At present, players must be no older than 22 on the day of the rookie draft.
The Article Michael Gleeson/TheAge/17Aug06
Cats staying strong right to bitter end Grantley Bernard/HeraldSun/17Aug06

Further Surgery for Maguire
Matthew Maguire has required further surgery on his fractured right leg to manage a condition known as compartment syndrome. This developed as a complication of his initial injury. He will require further surgery to progressively close the wound and this will delay his release from hospital.
The Article FootyGoss/15Aug06
Maguire has surgery for compartment syndrome AAP/TheAge/15Aug06

Koschitzke a quick fix
St Kilda's Xavier Clarke says it won't take long for Justin Koschitzke to return to his best as the surging Saints take aim at a top-four finish . . . Clarke, who made his comeback from injury along with brother Raphael and Koschitzke on Sunday, said the Saints were determined to solidify their finals standing. Clarke predicted Koschitzke, who kicked two goals in his comeback, would quickly find top form. "You look back on last year and he missed a few games and the first four games he came back, he got three Brownlow votes in every game," he said. "I think he can definitely get back to playing a full senior game and being a very strong contributor for us."
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/15Aug06

Hamill a week away
Speculation about Aaron Hamill's premature demise this season appear unfounded, with St. Kilda listing the forward as just one week away from resuming after a knee injury. Prior to the round 18 clash with the Eagles, it was revealed Hamill had re-injured the joint and it was feared his year was over, but instead, he's well on the comeback trail and could make a return for the resurgent Saints in round 21 against the Bulldogs.
The Article FootyGoss/14Aug06

Saints fly the flag
With St Kilda poised for another finals assault, Grant Thomas has urged his players to dig deep and take their game to the next level - even drawing up battlelines along state borders on Friday as the Saints flew out to Perth to take on the Dockers. "We've performed OK in the past, but we want to take it a further step and we acknowledge that there's a heavy focus on Adelaide, West Coast, Sydney and even Fremantle, so I suppose it's up to us, Collingwood, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs to try and fly the flag for Victoria," Thomas said from Melbourne Airport. "We'll be doing our best, I mean that's what it's all about - playing in finals - and whilst I think we've pretty much qualified for them now, the quest now is to finish as high up the ladder as we can and then we get stuck into a finals campaign which we're really looking forward to."
The Article Jason Phelan/Sportal/saints.com.au/18Aug06

McManus' flag aspirations
A club record six wins on the trot has Fremantle sitting just outside the top-four on percentage, and nobody is more pleased than Dockers midfielder Shaun McManus. Fremantle looked headed for another season of despair following its disappointing 66-point home loss to Geelong in round 12, and a 33-point loss to Sydney a week later. However, the team has performed a remarkable turnaround ever since and is even considered an outside chance to snare this year's premiership . . . Fremantle's only playoff appearance back in 2003 has been McManus' only taste of finals action, and the 30-year-old veteran of 189 games said he was keen to go one step further in 2006.
The Article Justin Chadwick/fremantlefc.com.au/saints.com.au/14Aug06

Teams selling home games risk season
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has labelled it a brutal "two men in, one man out" type of game. But Saturday night's St Kilda-Fremantle showdown at Subiaco for a top-four spot should have a lot less riding on the result. The Saints are paying the price for selling games to Tasmania. Plain and simple. Remember the siren fiasco and painful loss to the Dockers at Launceston in Round 5? Sure, the blower sensationally failed. But what is forgotten is the fact the Saints shouldn't have been at Aurora Stadium in the first place.
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/15Aug06
The real cost of 'home' games Paul Gough/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au
How the Ladder would look without Vic teams selling interstate games saintsational.com
ALL AFL INJURIES AAP/TheAge/15Aug06

Top four the goal
. . . Xavier Clarke said the Saints were hoping the Dockers - who are also emerging as top four contenders - had expended plenty of energy in their win over the Crows and were looking forward to a tough contest given the recent history between the two sides. "They had a good win in Adelaide and hopefully they ran themselves into the ground and they're a bit tired as well from their flight back home," he said. "We've beaten Freo over there in the past, unfortunately last year they beat us with a kick on the siren, so we've had great games with them over there, and if we play the way we played last night with everyone having a crack, there's no doubt we can beat them over there and seal top four".
The Article Jennifer Witham/saints.com.au/14Aug06

Saints bank on Kosi for September
By the time Justin Koschitzke got to play again, he was well and truly over it. Not the game; just the gumph. Like his father Greg, whose sense of humour is as dry as a 10-year drought, Koschitzke is a country bloke with no time for carry on. He understands his lot as an AFL footballer but could not understand the national obsession over one man's noggin . . . "There is no doubt that Kosi lifts our spirits when he plays," Thomas said. "We didn't expect much from him today but he was really significant the way he went about it. He kicked a couple of crucial goals and having him in the ruck and around the ground was a really important factor. He's a very good leader and he inspires his team-mates with his performances. He is a very heavy barometer of our team and that's why he is such a significant player. A bit like Aaron Hamill, who has the same effect on the team. So does Lenny Hayes and Matt Maguire."
The Article Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/14Aug06

The run home
. . . The Saints' are currently in fourth spot but could drop to as low as seventh if they don't win Saturday night's blockbuster clash against Fremantle in Perth. With the Dockers in sixth place, this week's clash at Subiaco could well decide which team finishes fourth. And if the Saints get over the Dockers, they will fancy their chances of finishing fourth given they will be favoured to beat the Bulldogs and Brisbane in the final two rounds.
The Article Paul Gough/afl.com.au/14Aug06
Flag likely to go interstate again Dan Lonergan/ABCSport/14Aug06

Connolly dismisses panacea theory to Dockers' turnaround
Fremantle coach Chris Connolly has denied "simplistic" claims the Dockers have made wholesale changes to their game plan and attributed his side's turnaround in form to hard work, a better draw, an improved run with injuries and a maturing team. Like Sydney last year, a dramatic mid-season shift in Fremantle's fortunes has prompted speculation the Dockers have fundamentally altered the way they play. And like Sydney coach Paul Roos last year, Connolly believes such analysis misses the point. "There has been no significant change in the way we have wanted to play since the start of the year," Connolly said yesterday. "If you look at our team there has been a lot of positional restructuring and I think our skill level has improved. I think that is a reflection of the maturing of our group. We have worked hard on our skills for years and we are just getting a lot more confidence."
The Article Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/24Aug06

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