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Round 21
Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda
Dome Friday 25th August 2006, 7:40pm AEST

Bulldogs v Saints
The Saints will be hoping Brad Johnson starts in the goalsquare for the Dogs so Max Hudghton can attempt to null the skipper's influence while the prospect of a Sam Fisher-Chris Grant dual at centre-half forward is a mouth-watering thought given the form Fisher has stepped up with in the absence of Maguire. Brian Harris will get the job on Fraser Gehrig, or perhaps Justin Koschitzke if the returning forward's developing fitness keeps him deep in attack, while Ryan Hargrave could be marked as the man for Riewoldt. Peter Street and Will Minson should have the edge over Cain Ackland and Michael Rix, although Rix is being used more as a defender these days. The Dogs are quicker through the centre - Steven Baker is a chance to get either West or Cooney - and their run from defence with Lindsay Gilbee and Jordan McMahon might be too much for the Saints' tall forward line.
Sportal Preview Sportal/24Aug06

Hamill in for Dogs clash
The selection of Aaron Hamill is one of three changes made by the Saints ahead of the Bulldogs match at Telstra Dome on Friday night. The injury-plagued forward comes in for his first game since round seven with selectors hopeful he has fully recovered from a persistent knee problem. The other two inclusions are Stephen Powell and ruckman Cain Ackland who come in for Jason Blake (ribs) and Andrew Thompson (adductor). Aaron Fiora has been omitted, but has been named as an emergency along with Sam Gilbert and Andrew McQualter. The Western Bulldogs have been boosted by the returns of Daniel Giansiracusa and Brett Montgomery.
The Article saints.com.au/24Aug06
Gia to play Jennifer Witham/Sportal/westernbulldogs.com.au/saints.com.au/24Aug06
Round 21 Previews (Video file) Rohan Connolly/TheAgeRealFooty/25Aug06
Herald Sun Tips R21 - The Age Tips R21
Dogs: Selectors Table Bulldogs Board/bigfooty.com

Aaron Hamill faces now-or-never test
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas admits the Saints have adopted a now-or-never attitude with forward Aaron Hamill, who will play his first game since Round 7 tonight. Hamill, who played just nine minutes against Geelong in his most recent game, has been named on a half-forward flank for the vital Telstra Dome clash against the Western Bulldogs . . . Despite Hamill not playing since May 12 because of a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, Thomas said the Saints did not consider bringing him back through VFL side Casey Scorpions.
The Article Daryl Timms/HeraldSun/25Aug06
Teams for this weekend's matches AAP/TheAustralian/25Aug06
Hamill makes Saints comeback TheAustralian/25Aug06

On Aaron Hamill's return
Grant Thomas: . . . "It needs to be noted that this has happened two or three times before, where he has trained and then pulled up sore, so if he pulls up fine and has no residual issues with it, he'll be fit and available to play this weekend. We're desperate for him to play, as much as anything. He very much encompasses the sort of spirit we want to have at the club but, like we shouldn't expect too much. For those guys who have had extended periods out of the game, it's always difficult to come back and be expected to make an impact. Aaron won't play as much as he normally plays because he normally plays most of the game, but as long as he plays 70 to 80 per cent, we'll be happy."
Maguire finally able to leave hospital Emma Quayle/TheAgeRealFooty/25Aug06
Hamill in line for Saints return ABCSport/24Aug06

Time for real Saints to stand up
The Saints. Why? Just a total wildcard guess like it is when you sometimes chase snapper down the bay. But if the Saints have one last grunt left in them then it has to come from Cuddles Ball, G-Train and big Kosi. Two of those aren't right but when you cross the line you're fit, so just get on with it and let's not hear any more excuses out of Moorabbin. You were insipid last week in the West, but for poor old Banger Harvey who played his guts out and was then bagged by the coach. If ever the big guns are going to fire it's against the midget Doggies, whose injuries might finally catch up with them. But I've been saying that for two months and it hasn't happened yet. And a tip for Dal Santo: handle the tag, son, if you want to get mentioned in the same breath as Ian Stewart.
Rex's Previews Rex Hunt/HeraldSun/25Aug06

Bulldogs vs Saints
The loss of Hayes has been the single most devastating injury to have hit the Saints this year. He was in Brownlow medal form (which will be shown not to be an exaggeration when they do the count) before the round 9 ACL injury. Luke Ball has been hampered by injury all season, he has not been able to produce the pace he is capable of and has yet to be able to kick it over a jam tin. Andrew Thompson has been a significant player for the Saints after turning his waning career around 2 years ago. Grant Thomas engineered a role for Thompson playing him off the bench along with Powell, both played tagging roles and were required to do a lot of the in and under work. Thompson injured a quad in the Freo match and will be up against it making it back into the team for the finals. Powell has been disappointing this year and was dropped, seemingly his career over. Powell must have done some soul searching and resolved to apply himself to the fullest of his abilities. He trained the house down forcing the selectors to include him back into the team. Unluckily he injured a knee and is now just returning from rehab. Our depth midfield players include Andrew McQualter and Mark McGough both would be welcome inclusions if Powell is not cleared to play. Our strength has become our weakness.
The Article StKildonan/Bulldogs Board/BigFooty
The Article StKildonan/Bulldogs Board/BigFooty

Maguire to leave hospital
St Kilda's Matt Maguire has had an eighth operation to correct compartment syndrome which threatened his recovery from a badly broken right leg . . . Sports Medico Peter Larkins said yesterday the result of compartment syndrome was that muscles and nerves died. "You can get release of toxic substances from the decomposing muscle, and as a result have to have the leg amputated," Larkins said. "The concern with Maguire was that if they hadn't acted promptly and weren't continuing to monitor his situation that permanent muscle and nerve damage can result in both loss of ability to use the muscles in the future, or at worst, death of the muscle." Larkins said it was unusual for eight operations to be required to correct the problem. "The severity of the compartment condition meant a significant cut to release the pressure," Larkins said. "The wound was so wide that it was too difficult to close it, so they had to do it in multiple stages. Sometimes it's not unusual to need two or three procedures, but by doing it carefully and progressively they've avoided the need to do a skin graft."
The Article Michael Stevens/HeraldSun/25Aug06
Brad Johnson: Man of the moment Chloe Saltau/TheAgeRealFooty/25Aug06

Dan Lonergan: All finalists could win Premiership.
With two rounds to go before the AFL finals, the premiership race remains wide open with any team in the eight on its day a realistic chance of winning the flag. However, it is a much harder task for those who finish outside the top four, especially if you end up in seventh or eighth because the first two finals are cut-throat and not home finals. Though it must be said that if Victorian teams finish five to eight the home ground factor is less of an advantage, with Docklands and the MCG hardly the fortresses that Subiaco and Football Park are. And there is a good chance the bottom four of the top eight will come from Victoria - Melbourne, St Kilda, Collingwood, the Bulldogs and Geelong all in contention.
Fluctuating fortunes Dan Lonergan/ABCSport/21Aug06

Report forces AFL to act on head-high contact
The AFL is set to crack down on head-high contact and will consider tougher sanctions and even rule changes to stamp out the problem. A report has been compiled by a group of prominent AFL medical experts including Geelong doctor Hugh Seward. The recommendations have been given to AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson who is expected to release the report next week. Anderson was last night unavailable for comment. It's understood AFL medical staff are becoming increasingly concerned with injuries to players who have had their heads over the ball. The AFL is also fearful about the damage head and neck-related injuries is doing to the game's image.
The Article Jim Wilson/HeraldSun/25Aug06

AFL intimidates some clubs: Butterss
St Kilda president Rod Butterss believes some clubs resist speaking out against the AFL because they are living in fear of being punished. Butterss said the league had little empathy for the difficulties involved in running a club, and ruled the 16 teams with a "divide and conquer" mentality. "I think the relationship between the clubs and the AFL and the commission is vastly improved, but when you see one club working out of a demountable and three kilometres away is a club working out of a five-star head office, something's clearly wrong," said Butterss. Asked why only certain presidents seemed to speak out against the league, at a breakfast to promote tonight's St Kilda-Western Bulldogs game, he said clubs needed to work with the AFL while ensuring members they were fighting for their club's rights. "Sometimes there's no doubt in my mind that clubs are intimidated by head office, and there is a view that if you do have the temerity to speak up, you'll end up playing round one, 2007, in Siberia," he said
The Article Emma Quayle/TheAgeRealFooty/25Aug06

Secret plan to fix Dome turf
The controversial Telstra Dome playing surface could be replaced as early as the end of this season following a two-year experiment quietly carried out by the stadium at Windy Hill. The Age has learnt that Telstra Dome boss Ian Collins has ordered a series of turf trials outside the Docklands venue and has been sold on a product grown by a Victorian turf company, which was laid down at Essendon's training venue at the start of last season. While Telstra Dome officials and notably Collins have continued to defend the playing surface branded by many AFL players as too hard underfoot and too slippery, the stadium's administration has looked privately to improve the grass supplied since 2001 by HG Turf. The new turf provider would be the third company used by Telstra Dome since it opened in 2000. The stadium has continued to struggle with the inevitable problems of its surface, which is partially covered all year round and which receives minimal sunlight over the winter months.
The Article Caroline Wilson/TheAgeRealFooty/25Aug06
VFL keen to trial 25-metre minimum kick-in law Jake Niall/TheAgeRealFooty/25Aug06

Bulldogs vs Saints Preview
. . . The Doggies have lost three of their last five matches in what seemed to be a disappointing end to a brave and exciting season. Then they met Adelaide having just a six-day break after playing in the heat and humidity of Darwin the week before, to run all over the Crows. The win was even more remarkable in that they trailed by five goals early in the third quarter. The Saints have turned their season around after being 6 and 6 at the break. We won the next 5 before a final quarter fade out to lose the WCE. A week later we bounced back to comfortably defeat Geelong (whose season was on the line) then we met Fremantle in Perth. The Saints shot to an early lead then were completely and utterly outclassed, unable to even put another goal on the board in the first half (after the 4 minute mark of the first quarter). The game a foregone conclusion, we battled away but were unable to even win a quarter. The majority of our goals came from free kicks.
Historical Perspective: These two clubs have met 139 times resulting in 69 St Kilda victories, 68 Bulldog victories and 2 draws.
The Challenge: The Doggies have often fancied themselves over the Saints, but recent history shows that the Saints are a formidable opponent even when they seem down. The secret to beating St Kilda is to play a tough hard tackling game and maintain the pressure or the possession for the entire match. The Saints know they've played a match after they've played the Doggies. It's always a tough encounter. We have been burned by the Freo result and will be out to show that this was an anomaly rather than a soft end to our season.
The Thread StKildonan/Bulldogs Board/BigFooty

Funding must improve: Butterss
St Kilda president Rod Butterss believes the strong opposition of club presidents to the AFL's plan to distribute $1 million per club annually from the new television rights deal has prompted the league to redo its sums. Asked on Thursday why confirmation of the agreement, which was due to be presented to the AFL Commission for ratification on Monday, had been delayed, Butterss said that the presidents had made it clear to the AFL that the funding proposal was inadequate. "I think the simple answer to that is we obviously made some sense and had enough of a voice last week to convince the Commission that they needed to rethink," Butterss said. "There's no doubt at the end of the meeting last week we were generally disappointed with what was put forward. Sadly often the way the AFL put forward numbers to clubs requires a fair bit of unpicking and putting back together."
The Article Jen Witham/Sportal/saints.com.au/24Aug06

Coaches concerned over Fox demise
Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade and St Kilda coach Grant Thomas have both expressed their disappointment over the demise of Fox Footy Channel - Eade going as far to say the game will suffer as a result . . . Thomas said Fox Footy had always been a popular viewing choice in his household and that he hoped free-to-air networks Seven and Ten would move to extend their coverage to compensate for the loss. "With eight kids, they're locked into it 24-7, and we have a bit of a look as well," he said. "Obviously I think there is a real, genuine obligation by Seven and Ten to ensure that some deal is done to supplement and fill the void because there will be a huge void."
The Article Jennifer Witham/Sportal/saints.com.au/24Aug06

Goose discharged from Hospital
St Kilda defender Matt Maguire will finally be released from hospital this weekend after undergoing the last of a series of procedures to close the incision in his badly broken leg. Maguire has been in hospital since the night he horrifically fractured his left tibia and fibula in round 18 after having surgery to insert a rod into the broken bone. His recovery was then complicated by the revelation the defender had developed compartment syndrome as a result of the trauma to the site and an incision was made to release the build up of pressure in his leg. But, after eight operations and nearly three weeks in hospital, coach Grant Thomas said on Thursday Maguire was ready to go home and commence his rehabilitation.
Finally, a discharge Jennifer Witham/Sportal/saints.com.au/24Aug06
Justin Sweeney Chat Transcript Noddy/saints.com.au/24Aug06

Fox Footy: First and last millstone
The AFL's ability to conjure $20 million, virtually out of nowhere, in 1997 by offering the right to bid first and last on its next two broadcast contracts was lauded for a long time as one of the organisation's finest moves. But, yesterday, that deal was one of many being blamed for the wreckage that was Wednesday's announcement of the demise of Fox Footy.
The Article Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/25Aug06
Foxtel faces subscription backlash Jane Holroyd/TheAgeRealFooty/24Aug06
Fox Footy dies amid turf war Mark Day/TheAustralian/25Aug06
Channelling a TV goal Peter Kogoy/TheAustralian/24Aug06

AFL wants second Sydney team
Sydney could have a second Australian Rules team by 2015 under a plan by AFL chiefs to have a home and away game played in the nation's largest city every weekend. AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou today used the turning of the first sod at the site of a future $20 million cricket and football stadium at Blacktown Olympic Park in western Sydney to float the idea. "Our intention is to get a home and away game here (in Sydney) every weekend by 2015," he told reporters. "That's our desire, I think it would be a good thing for our national code and also expansion into NSW." Demetriou said it was possible a new team could be created in Sydney or an existing club relocate there.
The Article Peter Jean/TheAustralian/24Aug06
Bring back State-of-Origin Wayne Schwass/HeraldSun/25Aug06

Clubs to get new overseas talent scheme
AFL clubs have been encouraged to expand their recruiting beyond local shores, with a new scholarship scheme for international prospects. The scheme - similar to that introduced for teenagers from Sydney this year - will enable clubs to sign up to two young players from overseas each season, including them on a separate list for international rookies. Until now, international recruits have had to be placed on a primary or rookie list, taking positions clubs have preferred to use on local, less speculative prospects. South Africa, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, which had a player make Queensland under-16 side for last month's national championships, are considered the newest areas for locating international talent. AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan will travel to South Africa at the request of its government this weekend to examine its coaching and development programs.
The Article Emma Quayle/TheAgeRealFooty/25Aug06
Sydney push intensifies with $20m centre Michael Cowley/TheAgeRealFooty/25Aug06
AFL chief stands by his ugly ducklings, Swans to win flag Michael Cowley/TheAgeRealFooty/25Aug06
BJ's Torp at Subi saintsational.com

Double dose of good news for Saints
St Kilda was basking in a double dose of good news today, with key forward Aaron Hamill at last ready to play and defender Matt McGuire finally set to leave hospital after eight operations on a broken leg . . . Meanwhile, the Bulldogs, who have been ravaged by long-term injuries to key players this year, will be able to welcome back highly-rated midfielder Daniel Giansiracusa and possibly Brett Montgomery, according to coach Rodney Eade.
The Article AAP/HeraldSun/24Aug06

Hamill up for recall
Despite being dreadfully underdone, Aaron Hamill will play tomorrow night against the Western Bulldogs.The Saints are confident Hamill will be fit to return after he trained well yesterday at Moorabbin and passed a more searching series of tests to satisfy the coaching staff he was ready to make a comeback. "If he pulls up fine, he will be playing," coach Grant Thomas said. "He trained OK. We just have to wait until he cools down and see how he pulls up but we are hopeful he will be OK." Hamill has managed only six games this season, last playing in round seven.
The Article TheAge/24Aug06
Hamill hope for Dog clash Jon Pierik/HeraldSun/24Aug06

Tigers rally behind Terry Smith
. . . "Brutus" Smith, the former long-haired defender and teammate of Weightman and Roach in Richmond's last premiership team of 1980, has inoperable cancer, and in the past two months as Smith fought the disease, Richmond's past players have become his second family. They have organised for his medical treatment, with the aid of their old club doctor. They refurbished and tidied up his home and have arranged for him to have a carer and a will . . . It takes something special to get both Kevin Bartlett and Mick Malthouse to a Richmond function, although KB attends reunions, but both the club's games record-holder and the Collingwood coach were among the 200-plus people who honoured Smith at the Emerald Hotel in South Melbourne last week . . . The crowd consisted not simply of former Tigers, but St Kilda players such as Jeff Sarau, who knew Smith from his brief stint at Moorabbin.
Richmond star of '80 vintage finds old Tigers a tonic Jake Niall/TheAge/24Aug06

Discount deals lift Fairfax figures
Deeply discounted bulk subscription deals have helped John Fairfax report strong circulation gains in the latest half-year audit, but a senior editorial executive has warned that the publisher must increase revenue to avoid another round of job losses in Victoria . . . St Kilda chief executive Archie Fraser gave Media a rare insight into the minutiae of newspaper deals with sporting clubs. He said the Saints benefited by $100,000, less a few sponsorship costs, from its multi-layered deal with The Age. A four-day-a-week annual subscription to the newspaper, free of charge to members, was just one aspect of the overall deal. St Kilda offered the subscription to its 32,500 members for free, but the club paid an unspecified amount of money back to Fairfax. According to Mr Fraser, this enabled Fairfax to book the sales in its audited circulation figures. The big question was how many St Kilda members took up the offer. According to the Saints boss, it was "nearly 11,000".
The Article Richard Gluyas/TheAustralian/24Aug06
Rich fare for not-so humble Pies Jake Niall/TheAge/24Aug06

Football's TV line-up - Out: Foxtel, In: SBS?
Every AFL match could be televised on free-to-air television next year under a radical realignment of the broadcasting rights. The AFL's new media consortium, comprising channels Seven and Ten, is believed to have unofficially turned to SBS to televise Friday night football live into Sydney and Brisbane, and has drawn up a schedule to split the AFL coverage into Melbourne. In a scenario AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou admitted last night was a "very real possibility", Foxtel could televise its last home-and-away game on Father's Day and play no part in broadcasting the game next season. The antagonistic relationship between the competition's new rights partners and its pay TV provider reached a new low yesterday when Foxtel announced the closure of the Fox Footy Channel and partially blamed Seven and Ten.
The Article Caroline Wilson/TheAge/24Aug06

2006 Saints Best and Fairest
To witness a Best and Fairest like never before, be sure to attend St Kilda Football Club's 2006 Trevor Barker Award. The Saints are this year holding the Club's Best and Fairest at Vodafone Arena, on Tuesday 3rd October. This will be a night to remember, as the Saints march towards setting the standard for future Best and Fairest events. While other Clubs are talking about it, St Kilda is doing it. Peter Mitchell and Sandy Roberts will host the event, along with our 'Boundary Rider', comedian Matthew Hardy. Live entertainment will also be provided. St Kilda players will be participating in the evening, with some as you have never seen them before! Come along to support the achievements of the players that have set this season alight.
The Article saints.com.au/23Aug06

Bulldogs to welcome key duo
The Western Bulldogs will have Daniel Giansiracusa and Brett Montgomery available for selection for Friday night's round 21 AFL clash with St Kilda at Docklands, although it is unlikely that both players will be named to play. Giansiracusa (hamstring) and Montgomery (calf) are both returning from injury, but the Bulldogs are hesitant to risk the pair considering their lack of match fitness as they have not played since round 15. The eighth-placed Bulldogs need to defeat St Kilda to confirm their place in the finals and assistant coach Leon Cameron said either Giansiracusa or Montgomery could be overlooked so as to give them more time to regain fitness.
The Article ABCSport/21Aug06

Fox Footy dies amid turf war
. . . AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said: "Our agreement provides for up to four matches per week to be licensed to a pay-TV operator, should Seven and Ten reach an arrangement with any pay-TV carrier. "But if no agreement is reached, then our matches will be broadcast on free-to-air television."
The Article Mark Day/TheAustralian/24Aug06
Channelling a TV goal Peter Kogoy/TheAustralian/24Aug06
Foxtel and free-to-airs play a hard game of footy Mark Day/TheAustralian/24Aug06

Saints performances with the Scorpians
. . . Despite the disappointment of this loss, Saints fans will be keen to learn of the performances of the St Kilda listed players from this match, who will strongly push cases forward for selection in the St Kilda lineup next week. Mark McGough was the leading Saint with 27 touches for the day (16 kicks, 7 marks, 11 handballs). He was duly supported by the efforts of Allan Murray with 26 possessions (15 kicks, 6 marks, 11 handballs, 2 tackles), Andrew McQualter (20 possessions:- 12 kicks, 8 handballs, 3 tackles), Barry Brooks (14 possessions:- 12 kicks, 7 marks, 2 handballs, 5 tackles) and Sam Gilbert (13 possessions:- 11 kicks, 2 handballs, 5 marks, 2 tackles). James Gwilt had 9 possessions and had five tackles as well.
Scorpions struggle to roost in the Hawks nest Gary Romeo/saints.com.au/21Aug06

Fox Footy flicked
Fox Footy's $300 million, five-year, 24-hour-a-day commitment to football will end next month, leaving the AFL shattered and stripped of a major promotional tool in the northern markets. Foxtel chief executive Kim Williams broke down yesterday as he told Melbourne-based Fox Footy staff the station would be turned off at midnight after the Grand Final. Williams could not commit to any current Fox Footy personnel or program for 2007, but said matches would be broadcast on new channel Fox Sports 3, should a deal be struck with Channels 7 and 10.
The Article Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/24Aug06

Fox Footy to close
Foxtel will close the its AFL-only Fox Footy Channel at the end of the season because of the uncertainty over pay-TV rights to televise AFL football from next year through until 2007. Foxtel has been negotiating unsuccessfully with the Seven and Ten networks for a slice of the AFL TV pie from next year but, after two offers were rebuffed by the free-to-air networks, has decided to close Fox Footy on 30 September, AFL Grand Final Day. Foxtel has indicated that it will continue to negotiate to televise AFL football in 2007, but any coverage would be part of the new Fox Sports 3 station that launches on 1 October. Foxtel was part of the Channel Nine consortium that was outbid by Seven and Ten in January 2006 for the new five-year contract from 2007-11. As part of that bid, Fox Footy would have televised four live matches a week. A similar offer was rejected by Seven and Ten earlier this year while more recently, an offer for three live matches per week - the same as the current deal - was also rejected by the networks.
The Article Ashley Browne/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/23Aug06

For Sept success we need . . .
. . . Midfield: Now this is the hard one. We all know that our midfield is under performing. That Hayes is out injured and that Ball is clearly hampered by injury. Thommo has also had an injury interupted year. Powell seems to have stepped down a cog . . . particualarly in space. Joey looks good most games but not all. X has flashes . . . but again is lacking game time. Dal is being tagged out of games . . . but Banger is still Banger . . . and Bakes is noramlly a reliable stopper but not matchwinner.
The Thread saintsRrising/saintsational.com

Tick for umpires
The players have called time-off on the traditional practice of bagging umpires. Satisfaction with the whistle-blowers is at record levels this year, with 88.5 per cent of players classing their performance as good to average. For the first time, "good" was the most popular response when players were asked to assess field umpires. Of the 630 players polled, 287 -- or 45.6 per cent -- were happy to give the umps a tick. It is a significant increase on last year, when only 34.6 per cent were prepared to hand the umps a "good" stamp. The next most common classification was "average" - 42.9 per cent. There there is still a group of players dirty on the umps, with 9.8 per cent giving them a "poor" rating.
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/23Aug06
Saints third for sledging Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/23Aug06
Umps not backward HeraldSun/23Aug06
Tasmanian dollars lure Hawks to new home Caroline Wilson/TheAge/23Aug06
Flooding 'a cancer', says Sheedy Martin Blake/TheAge/23Aug06
Surface condition at Telstra on report Margie McDonald and Peter Kogoy/TheAustralian/23Aug06
Everitt punished for commentary TheAustralian/23Aug06
Spida's move could weave a tangled web Richard Hinds/SydneyMorningHerald/23Aug06
Players fear the speed of the game Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/23Aug06
Counselling for Mooney Mark Rasmussen/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/23Aug06

Saints pay price for short turnaround
St Kilda's flagging premiership hopes rest on its ability to turn around a shocking record when backing up within a week, coach Grant Thomas says. The Saints, who have had only six days to recover and prepare for their next game 10 times this season, face the rejuvenated Bulldogs on Friday night at Telstra Dome in a match crucial to their top-four hopes. But their record suggests they face a massive task to defeat the Bulldogs, who beat Adelaide on Saturday at the MCG, particularly given the extra burden of an interstate trip from Perth. The Saints have won only half of their contests after a six-day break this season, with their scoring potency greatly reduced.
The Article Courtney Walsh/TheAustralian/21Aug06

Hamill set to return
Powerhouse forward Aaron Hamill is expected to return to the St Kilda team on Friday night against the Bulldogs. "He's a very, very strong chance," coach Grant Thomas said last night. "He got through everything on the weekend." Hamill hasn't played since damaging a posterior cruciate ligament in Round 7. "If he gets through training this week, then we'll have to decide whether he plays for Casey (in the VFL) or comes straight in," Thomas said.
The Article Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/22Aug06
Injuries - All Teams HeraldSun/22Aug06

Bulldogs to welcome key duo
The Western Bulldogs will have Daniel Giansiracusa and Brett Montgomery available for selection for Friday night's round 21 AFL clash with St Kilda at Docklands, although it is unlikely that both players will be named to play. Giansiracusa (hamstring) and Montgomery (calf) are both returning from injury, but the Bulldogs are hesitant to risk the pair considering their lack of match fitness as they have not played since round 15. The eighth-placed Bulldogs need to defeat St Kilda to confirm their place in the finals and assistant coach Leon Cameron said either Giansiracusa or Montgomery could be overlooked so as to give them more time to regain fitness.
The Article ABCSport/21Aug06

Matt Maguire Update
St Kilda Saints defender Matt Maguire is to spend a few more days in hospital after having further surgery - his fifth operation within the space of a few weeks - to close the wound on his broken left leg. A St Kilda spokesman said yesterday that the surgery was successful, but that the wound was not yet completely closed. "It's been closed further and he's not far off," the spokesman said. "But it's not completely closed. He can't come out until it's closed, so it'll be another few days." Maguire broke the lower leg in two places in the round-18 game against West Coast. He initially had a rod inserted in the leg, and then several more operations were required to close the wound
AFL round-up TheAge/22Aug06

Dogs pair set for return
. . . Giansiracusa is only one match away from the 100-game milestone while Montgomery is on the verge of playing his 200th match. But Cameron said the Bulldogs, who are still not guaranteed a finals berth, received an even contribution in their upset victory over Adelaide on Saturday, reducing the urgency to rush the senior duo back into the team. "I think it shows confidence in the guys that are there. As I said before, Cameron Wight, who come into the side, did a really good job, Dylan Addison played his first game and was really, really good," he said. "I think you've got to keep backing in your kids at times. Everyone would love to have a full list at the end of the year. But in saying that, a lot of sides haven't. And we haven't at the moment. I don't think that comes into it. I just think form comes into it; who can go out onto the paddock, and if those guys are up ready to go, we've just got to weigh up whether or not two of them can come into the side at once."
The Article Andrew Wu/Sportal/westernbulldogs.com.au/saints.com.au/21Aug06

Kosi and Giansiracusa
. . . They clashed heads hard and Gia was visibly shaken, maybe a bit winded. He got up on wobbly legs and ran off slowly. To suggest anything untoward by Giansiracusa is plain stupidity. Kosi got blindsided, he was running an angle corralling Eagleton to the sidelines, he looked over his shoulder about 5 seconds before Gia ran the angle and bumped him. He just didn't see it coming and it had nothing to do with peripheral vision or any other half baked crap that "media commentators" have spouted. It was because he was rusty and just not aware enough. I know Giansiracusa will get booed by ignorant Saints fans, and I will embarrassed by their lack of football knowledge when it occurs.
joffaboy/saintsational.com

SEN tip to win deal
The share price of the parent company of radio station SEN has risen more than 300 per cent in the past two months in speculative buying related to the broadcasting of AFL matches from next season. Pacific Star Network's Australian Stock Exchange price closed at 9 cents last night, having dropped to 2.4 cents in mid-June. The 24-hour all-sports station is vying with 3AW and Triple M for the licences to broadcast AFL for 2007-09. AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said last night resolution on the contracts was some weeks away.
The Article Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/22Aug06

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