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Round 22 2006
Brisbane Lions vs. St Kilda
The Gabba, Saturday 2nd September 2006, 7:10pm AEST
Field umpires: McLaren, Grun, Quigley
TABSportsbet - Brisbane $5.00, St Kilda $1.15
Centrebet: Brisbane $5.50, St Kilda $1.15

Ian Stewart's heartache
Some of football's greatest names have rallied around legend Ian Stewart after the tragic death of his daughter. Amy Stewart, 25, died in hospital from injuries after her car hit a tree in country Victoria. Triple Brownlow medallist Stewart and his wife, Suzie, are shattered. The champion centreman's former clubmates from Richmond and St Kilda have banded together in support. Stewart's close friend and 1973 premiership teammate Rex Hunt said yesterday the death was a huge shock. "It's a tragic loss of a beautiful young lady," Hunt said. "It's just so sad that the greatest footballer I've seen has lost his most treasured possession."
The Article Mark Buttler/HeraldSun/02Sept06

Vale - Travis 'Bongo' Payze St Kilda Football Club Forward - Ruck Rover No 31 - 1966, No 20 - 1967-74 Hall of Fame Inductee (July 2006) Chairman of Selectors 1983 to 1985 Club Board Member 1983 to 1993 Club President 1987 to 1992 St Kilda Players will wear armbands tonight in memory of Travis Payze. Saints mourn Travis Payze The St Kilda Football Club is mourning the passing of club stalwart, Travis Payze at the age of 60 after a long illness. St Kilda Football Club president, Rod Butterss said of the passing of Payze: "Travis has made a significant contribution to the club over 40 years in numerous roles - as a member of the club's 1966 premiership side, chairman of selectors, administrator, director and president. "Travis was passionate about the Saints and in particular in the development of the Saints' junior development squad which produced the likes of Burke, Loewe, Harvey and Lockett. Travis was a great club man and a friend to everyone at St Kilda and will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his family during this time." The Article Sportal/saints.com.au/01Sept06 St Kilda mourns former president Payze AAP/TheAge/01Sept06 Saint hero dies at 60 Travis Payze, a member of St Kilda's only premiership side in 1966, died yesterday after fighting prostate cancer for more than four years. Payze, who recently turned 60, was this year inducted into the Saints' Hall Of Fame before next year's official function in a tribute to his services to the club. Affectionately known as "Bongo", Payze was chairman of selectors and later president at St Kilda. It is 40 years ago this month that Payze came off the bench to play a part in St Kilda's epic one-point Grand Final victory over Collingwood in front of a manic crowd of 101,655 after kicking three goals on debut a fortnight earlier in the second semi-final against the Magpies. The Article Michael Horan/HeraldSun/02Sept06 Saints mourn loss of 'Bongo' Payze . . . "As a club we'll sit down with the broader St Kilda community and have a good think about that because we want to remember him and acknowledge all of his great efforts," Butterss said. "He had significant influence on the club over many years, as a player, as an administrator and obviously as a president. He was a very big contributor over many, many years in a number of roles. He had a great sense of humour, he loved this club and he'll be very sorely missed. It's been a tough week for the club." The Article Emma Quayle/TheAge/02Sept06 More about Travis Payze Travis Payze Author John Devaney Link: Full Points Footy Travis Payze from the 'Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers' Russell Holmesby and Jim Main Link: Saints Website

The model pro
Lenny Hayes interview by Rohan Connolly
. . . "The way we played last Friday night was the best we played all year. We're getting guys like Aaron Hamill, who just epitomises what we're about. The first thing he did last Friday was to run over and put on a massive shepherd when he could have just peeled off to get a handball. That was just awesome, and that's what it's all about. We're in the finals, we're a massive chance. We're going to need to some good football and travel and beat a side interstate, but I've got no doubt on our day we can beat any side in the competition." And Hayes just wants, somehow, to be part of it, any way he can. "I try to help out (assistant coach) Mick McGuane on match days with the midfield guys, and sort of get in their ear during the week," Hayes said. "With 'Dal', 'Bally', Leigh Montagna, and Jason Gram going well, I'm just getting a lot of enjoyment watching those guys play good footy."
The Article Rohan Connolly/TheAge RealFooty/02Sept06

Saints happily walk away
As financially beneficial as playing in Tasmania might have been, St Kilda says it will improve its premiership chances by ditching the final year of its deal to play in Launceston . . . "We think we're going to make the finals for the next five or six years and any chance of doing that is enhanced by playing at Telstra Dome. We've put the '80s and '90s behind us, we've got a stable club and it's all about trying to win premierships." (St Kilda chief executive Archie Fraser said last night.)
The Article Grantley Bernard/HeraldSun/02Sept06

Brett says no inside running over Voss
Brett Voss has no idea if champion brother Michael will play his last game tonight, and believes the Brisbane Lions skipper doesn't know either. "It's hard to predict what he's going to do," said Brett, thankful he will share the potential swansong in opposition for St Kilda. "I think he's changed his mind 1000 times so you just leave it up to him and for everything to settle down at the end of the year and see if he actually misses it or is glad if it's all over. I don't think anyone else will know" . . . The last time the Saints won in Brisbane was in 1991 when Voss was a year from making his debut, Tony Lockett was in the goalsquare and the Gabba still had a dogtrack.
The Article AAP/TheAustralian/02Sept06
It's hard to predict what's next
Jim Morton/CourierMail/02Sept06

Bumping under scrutiny
Players could be banned from bumping a player with his head down over the ball as part of a dramatic proposal being considered by the AFL laws of the game committee for next year. Players would be allowed only to tackle a player who had his head down over the ball rather than bump him, even in the side and to the body. After separate submissions to the AFL by the Medical Officers Association and Port Adelaide premiership coach Mark Williams, the AFL laws committee will canvass players, coaches and fans on several possible changes, ahead of a final meeting on October 11.
The Rules Rohan Connolly/TheAge RealFooty/02Sept06
Ricciuto viris update Ashley Porter/TheAge RealFooty/02Sept06

Saints set to take on Lions
The main factors that contributed to the Saints win over the Bulldogs related to self belief, the team effort of every player on the field, and the importance to make amends of the poor performance against the Dockers the previous week . . . In order to beat the Lions, the Saints will have to be accountable in the midfield, and across the ground. We are going to have our big four up forward, so is important to be able to use them wisely, and spread the load evenly.
The Article Matt Rendell/saints.com.au/31Aug06

Preview: Brisbane Lions v St Kilda
. . . You'd think it was 1997 they way Harvs has been patrolling the midfield in recent weeks. But, just as quickly as you've got to move on from humbling defeats like the one the Saints experienced a fortnight ago against Freo, the side put that Doggies triumph in the bag and now, with Brisbane completely decimated through injury and staring at a bottom-four finish, the Saints have a wonderful opportunity to get a little back at a ground that has been the scene of many painful losses. In fact, the last time the Saints won at the 'Gabba, Luke Ball was in grade one and 'Plugger' Lockett was the main man up forward for St Kilda. The year was 1991 and it was in fact the first time the two clubs ever met at the Brisbane ground.
Full Review Nick Hulett/saints.com.au/01Sept06

Saints spring big surprise
. . . Brooks, who will have Cain Ackland, Michael Rix and Justin Koschitzke for company in the ruck, has not played at senior level since the Saints were beaten by Port Adelaide in Launceston last year, one of only two appearances in 2005. The former Tasmanian, taken in the 2001 national draft by Port Adelaide, played his other five games in 2003. He starred for Casey Scorpions at VFL level last week, dominating the hitouts, kicking two goals, taking 11 marks and racking up 23 possessions.
The Article Rohan Connolly/TheAge RealFooty/01Sept06

Saints throw Barry Brooks a lifeline
. . . Thomas said it is time for Brooks to prove to himself that he has the mental toughness to play at AFL level. "Hopefully he's starting to understand the level of mental toughness required to make an impact at this level," Thomas said. "And if he can do that and put all that together we've got no doubt he can be a very valuable senior AFL player . . . He's a very talented player but it just gives him another chance to show if he's got what it takes to play at the senior level," Thomas said last night. "He's always been able to mark it and he's always been able to kick it."
The Article David Hastie/HeraldSun/01Sept06

Brooks a surprise pick for St Kilda
. . . Brooks has played only seven AFL matches in his three previous seasons with the Saints, since joining the club from Port Adelaide, where he did not play a game. His selection on the eve of the finals stokes memories of the surprise debut the Saints handed to small forward James Gwilt in round 22 last season, also against the Lions at the Gabba. Gwilt went on to play in the club's two finals matches, although he has played just two matches this season.
The Article AAP/TheAge/31Aug06

Thompson, Brooks in
The Saints have been forced to make two changes to their squad to take on the Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night. Stephen Powell (knee soreness) and Justin Peckett (groin tightness) have both been forced out with injury, making way for Barry Brooks and Andrew Thompson to come into the side. After battling hamstring problems earlier in season, Brooks has played every match for the Casey Scorpions since round 10 and will play his first senior game this year. Thompson has been recalled after missing last week with an adductor injury and will join Brooks, Raphael Clarke and Michael Rix on the bench.
The Article saints.com.au/31Aug06

Dal Santo: The complete on-field package
He's got the skills, the looks and the smarts of the complete footballer. If someone envisioned the perfect football prototype of the 21st century, then look no further than St Kilda's midfield genius, Nick Dal Santo. The charismatic superstar has dazzled the football world with his quick thinking, high tempo football. The fact that he puts his body on the line in every contest, proves he has the makings of the complete on-baller of the modern game. Watching Dal Santo dodging and weaving out of trouble or bursting through a pack is reminiscent of a young Gavin Brown, and he seems to be emulating the Collingwood champion with each passing week. Another Rhodes Scholar of the midfield, former Collingwood Club champion and current midfield coach Mick McGuane, has enhanced and moulded Dal Santo this season to become more dangerous.
The Article Luca Giacobello/saints.com.au/31Aug06

Two-year deal for Gram
St Kilda defender Jason Gram has agreed to a new two-year deal with the Saints, tying him to the club until the end of 2008 . . . "It's a great result for the club and Jason. He's been in terrific form and he should be pressing for All-Australian selection, I would think," Thomas said. "He'd be in our top five, maybe top three in our best and fairest, and that is a real credit to him as a person and the way he's worked on his game."
The Article Mark Rasmussen/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/30Aug06

Hawks to wear Tassie badge
Hawthorn will wear a Tasmanian logo on the front of its AFL strip for the next five years. The logo will appear on the breast of the Hawks' brown and gold jumper as part of a $15 million sponsorship package between the club and Tasmanian Government, to be announced today. It is believed Hawthorn has agreed to play four "home" games a year for the next five years at Aurora Stadium in Launceston, and will wear the Tassie badge until 2011. The deal means the Tasmanian Government will join HSBC as the club's major sponsor.
The Article HeraldSun/FootyGoss/01Sept06
Eagles Outs FootyGoss/31Aug06
Brennan out of bounds Andrew Hamilton/CourierMail/01Sept06
September's go-to men AAP/TheAge/30Aug06
Lions want bonus back Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/01Sept06
Lonergan out of coma Scott Gullan/HeraldSun/01Sept06
Cometti talks with Seven Ray Wilson/TheAge/30Aug06

Herald Sun R22 Previews
The 2006 season can't end quickly enough for Lethal's Lions. Brisbane is riding a league-worst five-match losing streak. The match will definitely be the AFL swansong for Brisbane stalwart Brad Scott, while captain Michael Voss is also weighing up his future. St Kilda has been buoyed by the news that Aaron Hamill is likely to play, despite his right knee pulling up sore from last week's clash with the Bulldogs. Key: An unlikely sequence of results would need to go St Kilda's way for it to sneak into the top four. Even so, the finals-bound Saints have much more motivation than Brisbane. Tip: St Kilda by 45 points.
All R22 Previews John Salvado/AAP/HeraldSun/31Aug06

Ricciuto has contagious virus
AFL club Adelaide says its captain Mark Ricciuto has the contagious Parvovirus B19, an ailment which can last for months. Adelaide's doctor, Brian Sando, says there are now concerns other Crows players could have contracted the virus, commonly called Slapped Cheek Virus.
The Article AAP/TheAge/01Sept06

Tas Govt buys Hawks' naming rights
The Tasmanian Premier Paul Lennon says the Hawthorn Football Club will be known as the Tassie Hawks from next season. The Tasmanian Government has announced a five-year deal to become the club's official naming rights sponsor. Hawthorn's vice-president Martin Ralston says the deal means the Tasmanian Government will be providing about a quarter of the club's revenue.
The Article ABCSport/01Sept06
Welcome To The Tassie Hawks Paul Lennon, MHA
Premier of Tasmania
media.tas.gov.au/01Sept06

Saints released from Tas
. . . The new deal will pave the way for St Kilda to end its deal to play two games per year year in Launceston with one year remaining on its contract, allowing the club to play 11 home games in Melbourne from next season, which has been the strong wish of coach Grant Thomas and the club. Saints chief executive Arch Fraser said the club was pleased with the outcome of deal between Tasmania and the Hawks. "We have appreciated the support of the Tasmanian Government during our partnership over the past four years and to have been given the opportunity to assist in the development of Australian Rules in Tasmania. Whilst we are sad to leave Tasmania because of the great deal of support we have had in Tasmania, we are also pleased to be playing our 11 home games in Melbourne," he said.
Hawks secure Tassie deal Ashley Browne/Sportal/saints.com.au/01Sept06
Hawthorn supporters screaming 'murder' TheThread/BigFooty

Hamill set to tackle Lions
. . . "He's coming along really well and as long as he gets through training as we expect him to, it's just another step forward for him," Thomas said. "He's out there (training) now." Even though Hamill was proppy after the Bulldogs match, Thomas had little sympathy for his injury-riddled star, who played his first game in the red, white and black since round seven. "I was like that for 10 years in the days that they used to take cartilages out," Thomas said. "I've got no sympathy for him whatsoever."
The Article Mark Rasmussen/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/30Aug06

It's all in the timing
"Momentum is really important. You've got to work hard to get it and once you've got it, it's damn hard to keep it," Thomas said ahead of team training from Moorabbin. "It's a fantastic thing momentum, and you'd love to have it at this stage of year. It's all about timing and when you start your run . . . We're in with a great chance. Obviously sides that finish in the top four are best placed, but I think we're a sneaky chance," he added smiling.
The Article Mark Rasmussen/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/30Aug06
Saints Ladder predictor saints.com.au (hope you are a paid up member!)

Thomas backs ban on naming drug users
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has offered his support for the AFL's ban on identifying players who test positive for illicit drugs. Yesterday the AFL won its legal action to stop the media publishing the names of three players who have tested positive twice. Thomas said he thinks most players and coaches would rather focus on football than drug testing. "Everyone's heard the gossip and all the rest of it but I don't really go through it," he said. "I'm more interested in the 99 per cent of players that do things right rather than the 1 per cent that don't necessarily do it right." Thomas said the ban was unlikely to affect player deals during trade week as clubs had their own safeguards in place. "I suppose it does concern us but ... I think club's research is really good as well," he said. "It's very rare now that the scrutiny doesn't scratch out those indiscretions."
The Article ABCSport/31Aug06

Lions v Saints - Sportal Review
. . . WHO'S HOT: The Lion cubs did well last week with Cheynee Stiller (31 possessions), Justin Sherman (27 touches) and Jed Adcock (24 disposals) the top three ball winners. Brendon Goddard's good run of form continued with 29 possessions last week against the Bulldogs, but the real story to come out of that match was the hot form of attacking duo Fraser Gehrig (eight goals) and Nick Riewoldt (five goals).
The Article Sportal/31Aug06

Voss may play last AFL game on Saturday
Lions skipper Michael Voss may play his last AFL game against St Kilda at the Gabba on Saturday . . . If he does, he'll play his last AFL game against his brother Brett. "We've shared some pretty special moments throughout our career, this maybe another, but we don't know that, do we?," he said. While Voss hasn't gone public on his future, long-serving Lion Brad Scott plans to defy the effects of a virus to play his farewell game against the Saints.
The Article AAP/TheAge/30Aug06

Saints wait and see on Hamill
St Kilda will wait to see how forward Aaron Hamill pulls up today before making a final decision on whether he'll play against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night . . . Key defender Max Hudghton (ankle) failed to train yesterday while there are also concerns over Justin Peckett and Stephen Powell for the clash against Brisbane.
The Article Jim Wilson/HeraldSun/31Aug06

Scott to carry on for Lions, twin hopes
Retiring bruise brother Brad Scott is adamant injured identical twin Chris will carry on the family name with the Brisbane Lions next season. Virus-ridden Brad got out of his sick-bed to prepare for his farewell AFL match against St Kilda at the Gabba on Saturday night. He indicated Chris, whose hip problem has prevented him from playing at all this year, would show far more tenacity to return to action in 2007.
The Article AAP/TheAge/31Aug06
Vic clubs swarm around Aker Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/31Aug06

AFL, players hail ruling
The AFL and Players Association will continue with their out-of-competition drug code following a Supreme Court ruling yesterday that the identities of three high-profile players who have twice tested positive to illicit drugs will not be made public. The ruling is a significant victory for the AFL and AFLPA, which had sought a Supreme Court injunction preventing media outlets from publishing the three players' names. Media groups had argued it was in the public interest for the players to be named.
The Article Jim Wilson and Katie Lapthorne/CourierMail/31Aug06

Scott quarantined, Adcock limping
Brad Scott's last week as a Lion is being spent quarantined from his teammates as he struggles to overcome a virus. According to the Lions "wild horses" couldn't prevent Scott from playing his final game against St Kilda on Saturday, but he has spent the early part of the week bedridden and is not expected to return to the club until tomorrow at the earliest . . . Young defender Jed Adcock limped from training at the Gabba yesterday after a teammate stood on his foot.
The Article Andrew Hamilton/CourierMail/30Aug06

Channel Nine may still be in AFL hunt
A new twist may have developed in the changeover of television rights for the AFL next season. Media analyst Harold Mitchell says Channel Nine may pick up matches not wanted by new broadcast partners Seven and Ten. With the Fox Footy Channel shutting down at the end of the current season, Seven and Ten will be forced to broadcast all eight games live every week under the terms of the agreement with the AFL. The Nine Network lost the AFL rights for next year but Mr Mitchell says its involvement in broadcasting matches may not be over.
The Article ABCSport/30Aug06

AFL wins drug suppression case
The AFL has succeeded in its Supreme Court bid to keep confidential the names of three players who tested positive to recreational drugs. Fairfax newspapers had challenged the AFL's policy that the identity of such players should remain confidential until they returned a third positive test. The players in question had twice failed out-of-competition tests undertaken by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA). In his judgment, Justice Murray Kellam rejected all three grounds on which Fairfax said it should be free to publish the names.
The Article Michael Gleeson/TheAge/30Aug06
Players' drugs status to stay private: court AAP/TheAge BreakingNews/30Aug06

Saints happy to leave Launceston to Hawks
St Kilda has welcomed the news that the Tasmanian Government and Hawthorn will this week announce a new deal tying the Hawks to four matches per season in Launceston. The new five-year agreement means the Saints will be granted their wish to withdraw from two matches at York Park next season. St Kilda's chief executive Archie Fraser said the club was more likely to win a premiership if its home matches were played in Melbourne. "We'd like to play as many games as we can in Melbourne where obviously we have a great win-loss ratio," he said.
The Article ABCSport/29Aug06
Bumping a 'grey area' Paul Gough/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/29Aug06
GT Interview SEN (Audio file)

Hamill to face Lions, and more game time
With a win over the Lions, the Saints could climb into the top four and earn a double chance. "We're a sneaky chance," Thomas said. "Obviously, sides that finish in the top four are best placed. But at the end of the day we've just got to go out and play really good, hard, tough footy. It's a critical game … and we just want to make sure we get the job done."
The Article Martin Boulton/TheAge RealFooty/31Aug06
Hamill set to play, despite injury worry AAP/TheAge BreakingNews/30Aug06

Finals schedule to be announced Sunday
While the AFL will announce its finals schedule for the first week of the September action at 7.30pm on Sunday night on Channel Ten - with only the Western Bulldogs' finishing position of eighth confirmed at this stage - the league said the minor premiers will be rewarded with at least a full week to prepare for its qualifying final. "The side that qualifies first on the ladder will be given a seven-day break leading into its first final," AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said on Tuesday.
Finals draw clarified Paul Gough/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/29Aug06

Break for top team
Only West Coast or Adelaide will be guaranteed a seven-day break before the September 8-10 weekend of finals. AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said yesterday that only the top-placed team would be granted the privilege in the scheduling of qualifying and elimination finals. "Added to that, all sides must be given a minimum six-day break going into the finals series, which will exclude any match involving Sydney or Collingwood being played on the Friday night of week one," Demetriou said.
The Article Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/30Aug06

Scott sidelined
Brad Scott's last week as a Lion is being spent quarantined from his teammates as he struggles to overcome a virus. According to the Lions "wild horses" couldn't prevent Scott from playing his final game against St Kilda on Saturday, but he has spent the early part of the week bedridden and is not expected to return to the club until tomorrow at the earliest. Scott and Richard Hadley are both sick and have been warned against coming to training for fear of illness spreading. Even in the final week of a long and tough season, the miserable luck that has dogged the club this year shows no sign of abating. Young defender Jed Adcock limped from training at the Gabba yesterday after a teammate stood on his foot. Adcock bruised the foot during last Saturday night's loss to Sydney and it is still painful.
The Article Andrew Hamilton and Michelangelo Rucci/CourierMail/30Aug06

Hall's back gives Swans a case of nerves
Barry Hall has proved regularly he can carry an attack. But whether he can bear that load on a dodgy back may be crucial to the Swans' title defence - perhaps more crucial than the club is willing to admit . . . Hall suffered that injury before the round-11 match against St Kilda. Struggling to get off the mark, he kicked just one goal against the Saints and later admitted he should not have played.
The Article Richard Hinds/SydneyMorningHerald/30Aug06
Mystery illness has Crows in a fever Michael Gleeson/TheAge/30Aug06
Crows - Tigers as last hope for top Courtney Walsh/TheAustralian/30Aug06
Akermanis meets Bombers and Demons Jake Niall/TheAge RealFooty/30Aug06
Akermanis 2nd Bombers Meeting AAP/TheAge/30Aug06
Bets off on Connolly being sacked Daryl Timms/HeraldSun/31Aug06

'Tis the season to toast coaching prophets of doom with eggnog
Had you listened to - no, make that believed - AFL coaches and most commentators before the season started, you would have thought football was administered without much thought at all. Rule changes were made over coffee and a sticky bun. The more difficult decisions, anyway. The simpler alterations to the game were done on a whim . . . Nonsense, all of it. The coaches had their collective proboscises out of joint because they were not consulted. And even that was not strictly right. They had former St Kilda grand final coach Stan Alves as their representative on the laws committee but appeared to have neither the time nor inclination to use their man effectively. So Alves found himself about as useful as a goal sneak in the Kangaroos forward line and walked. But the committee was hardly an old men's club. Collingwood skipper Nathan Buckley sits on it, as does the chief of the players' association, Brendon Gale.
The Article Patrick Smith/TheAustralian/30Aug06

Injuries
. . . St Kilda is likely to give full-forward Fraser Gehrig, fullback Max Hudghton and forward Aaron Hamill an easy week after the key trio pulled up sore after Friday night's win over the Western Bulldogs. Gehrig sprained a wrist but went on to boot eight goals, Hudghton rolled an ankle after it plugged in the Telstra Dome surface and Hamill faces an uncertain immediate future given he was sore after his first game since round seven. Hamill, who has struggled with knee problems all season, concedes he is in doubt to play against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night.
Injuries: Hentschel gone AAP/HeraldSun/27Aug06
Crows decimated by injuries Jennifer Witham/AFL/saints.com.au/28Aug06
Whelan in doubt for finals Andrew Wu/AFL/saints.com.au/28Aug06

Hamill surprises Thomas
Aaron Hamill appears a certain starter for St Kilda on Saturday night after showing rapid improvement in the past 48 hours. Hamill pulled up sore after his comeback match against the Bulldogs on Friday, but St Kilda coach Grant Thomas is pleasantly surprised by his progress. "He's made a couple of quantum leaps," Thomas said last night. "He was struggling a bit after the game, but he's fine. Everything's really good. He's jumped ahead."
The Article Mark Stevens and Michael Stevens/HeraldSun/29Aug06

No Voss farewell plan
Brisbane is organising a farewell for Brad Scott at the Gabba on Saturday night but there are no plans to include skipper Michael Voss or departing star Jason Akermanis in the celebrations. While the Lions will be without Scott and Akermanis next year, they have secured the services of exciting youngster Justin Sherman, who yesterday re-signed for a further two years. Saturday's game against St Kilda will the 168th and final AFL game in a career that netted Scott two premierships and a reputation as one of football's toughest competitors and most devoted clubmen. Akermanis will depart Brisbane after 249 games and three premierships without the chance to say goodbye after the club decided against giving him an official send-off.
The Article Andrew Hamilton/TheCouriermail/29Aug06
Voss has a contract: Lethal Andrew Browne/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/28Aug06
Jason Akermanis surgery FootyGoss/

Lions to muscle up
. . . The Lions will break for six weeks after this weekend's clash with St Kilda and return on October 16 for a full-scale six-week block. They will have another week off before returning for a 2½-week stint leading up to December 20. Over Christmas they will have two weeks off and return for the start of 2007 on January 4 . . . "If you look at a big percentage of our group, we have to get some real gains in strength and size - it has to be the highest priority."
The Article Andrew Hamilton/TheCouriermail/29Aug06

Matthews aims zeal
The Lions' selection door will be wide open to whoever can prove their willingness to have a crack in the season finale against St Kilda this weekend after the club's reserves were bundled out of the AFLQ competition yesterday by Mt Gravatt . . . Brisbane faces a tough assignment against St Kilda, rated by coach Leigh Matthews as the equal of West Coast in terms of attacking talent.
The Article Andrew Hamilton/TheCouriermail/28Aug06

Injuries
. . . St Kilda is likely to give full-forward Fraser Gehrig, fullback Max Hudghton and forward Aaron Hamill an easy week after the key trio pulled up sore after Friday night's win over the Western Bulldogs. Gehrig sprained a wrist but went on to boot eight goals, Hudghton rolled an ankle after it plugged in the Telstra Dome surface and Hamill faces an uncertain immediate future given he was sore after his first game since round seven. Hamill, who has struggled with knee problems all season, concedes he is in doubt to play against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night.
Injuries: Hentschel gone AAP/HeraldSun/27Aug06
Crows decimated by injuries Jennifer Witham/AFL/saints.com.au/28Aug06
Whelan in doubt for finals Andrew Wu/AFL/saints.com.au/28Aug06
McLeod out as Crows mourn Ashley Porter/TheAge RealFooty/29Aug06

Matthews aims zeal
The Lions' selection door will be wide open to whoever can prove their willingness to have a crack in the season finale against St Kilda this weekend after the club's reserves were bundled out of the AFLQ competition yesterday by Mt Gravatt . . . Brisbane faces a tough assignment against St Kilda, rated by coach Leigh Matthews as the equal of West Coast in terms of attacking talent.
The Article Andrew Hamilton/TheCouriermail/28Aug06

Fear not in AFL's brave new world
The television coverage of AFL football is now so brilliantly intrusive that there is no escaping the gory detail. When Adelaide forward Trent Hentschel's leg buckled under him in a tackle on Sunday, resulting in a dislocated knee, the replay came with a warning for viewers with weak stomachs. The same could have applied for St Kilda's Matt Maguire this year, and Richmond's Nathan Brown last year, when they both suffered horrendous breaks to their legs . . . St Kilda forward Nick Riewoldt's fabulous flying leap, with eyes only for the ball while heading back into a potential black hole against Sydney in 2004, is rightly celebrated as one of the all-time great marks. There's a valid argument to say there is far more physical danger in today's game, given the velocity at which players travel and the fact that, unlike years ago when positional play was the norm, they are all asked to put themselves at risk by filling space to cut off running opponents. Yet, as always, the game's culture demands that a player never fails to sacrifice his physical wellbeing for the sake of the team. St Kilda coach Grant Thomas sums it up well when he speaks of his team's ethos of "going when it's your turn". Kids are imbued with it long before they reach the elite stage, and there are always fears that blind courage can overtake good sense.
The Article Trevor Grant/TheAustralian/28Aug06

Harvey's teammates want him to play on
St Kilda's playing group will make it plainly clear to veteran champion Robert Harvey that he should play on beyond this year. If the 35-year-old dual Brownlow medallist wasn't aware of the view of his peers already, he will be whenever the Saints' 2006 season ends. "We're hoping to convince him to stay. We'll have to have a few beers with him and take the contract in with us there I think," his teammate, and former club captain, Aaron Hamill said yesterday. "Hopefully he listens to us all, because we'd love him to go around. He's awesome, isn't he? You see him last night and he's such a good role model . . . not only at our club, but I think opposition clubs look at him in awe. I think (Adam) Cooney was on him last night and he ran him a merry dance."
The Article Samantha Lane/TheAge RealFooty/27Aug06

Hamill confident about finals
. . . He limped into the Saints' recovery session yesterday morning, but said he felt largely positive about heading into September. "I'm not too bad, I'm a little bit sore but that's as expected," Hamill said. "The key is now how I manage it through the week and my recovery will have to be pretty diligent from now on and for the next month. Providing it pulls up well during the week and I get through everything, and I'm confident within myself that I can get through the game, then I'll play. I think I'll be limited (in training), I'll have to see. Hopefully, the body adapts with it every week. Hopefully, I can get out there and do the main sessions, but that's something that I'll have to monitor. Although I didn't do a great deal, it was good that I played about 70 or 80 minutes of the game and got a fair bit of run under my belt."
The Article Samantha Lane/TheAge RealFooty/27Aug06

Hamill knee pain lingers
St Kilda hard man Aaron Hamill admits he may have to have his knee drained of fluid every week if he hopes to be a factor in his club's premiership charge. Hamill played 72 minutes on Friday night in his first game since damaging his posterior ligament in Round 7, but lasted only three minutes after being brought back on the ground at the 17-minute mark of the last quarter. He said on 3AW yesterday that while his knee had felt strong in the first half, he was unsure how to proceed towards the finals.
The Article Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/27Aug06

GT may have had the last laugh with Milne . . .
. . . with Milne arguably playing one of his best games for the Saints and certainly one of his best as part of the midfield rotation. Now I like many have pined for Milne as a permanent FP. However GT has had a big problem, a huge problem in that the Saints midfield has been under performing with a shortage of quality players for our midfield rotations. Injuries to Hayes, Ball and Thommo has further restricted his choice. Lack of depth has also meant undue pressure on Dal . . . being able to share the load would help Dal. Playing in the midfield is aerobically challenging and if your team does not have enough rotation then you will be caught short. This is why GT has been persevering with Milne playing game time up the field. Against the fast running Doggies Milne was an important and successful part of the Saints midfield rotation. Now if Milne could just learn to lay a better tackle . . . one that sticks.
The Thread - saintsRrising/saintsational.com

Luck and momentum the key to success
. . . In 1966, when St Kilda won its one premiership, it came from behind to defeat Hawthorn at Moorabbin after injured captain Darrel Baldock, an 11th hour inclusion as 19th man, came off the bench in the third quarter to inspire a narrow win. The race for the top four was so intense that year that had the Saints lost that Round 17 clash they would have finished fifth, rather than qualifying for the second-semi final.
The Article Ken Piesse/HeraldSun/27Aug06

Hart ruled out as Ricciuto virus baffles
Though he remained none the wiser about Adelaide captain Mark Ricciuto's mystery ailment, club doctor Brian Sando scuppered Ben Hart's hopes of getting back to fitness in time for the AFL finals. Described by Crows football operations manager John Reid on Monday as being unlikely to play again this season, 32-year-old Hart on Tuesday asserted his belief that he was only "two or three weeks" away from playing. However Sando on Wednesday said Hart's Achilles tendon injury might keep him out beyond the grand final on September 30.
The Article AAP/TheAge BreakingNews/30Aug06

Jason Akermanis Column
. . . St Kilda: Terrific midfield and the backline can do the job. When teams drop numbers behind the ball the Saints struggle. I think they're the dark horse of the field - the rest are pretty transparent.
Key: Forward line. You can bomb the ball in and know they'll mark it. That puts less pressure on the midfield and is very handy in finals.
Voss likely to retire Jason Akermanis/CourierMail/30Aug06

Players running in slow motion, says new report
A confidential report, sanctioned by the AFL, shows rules introduced this year have slowed the game, not increased the pace of play to the detriment of players' safety as feared by coaches. According to the report soon to be released to clubs, the game has slowed down by as much as 7 per cent under criteria measuring data such as kicks and marks per game. Extensive research on its new rules and interpretations introduced this year has revealed that most objectives of the rule changes have been been achieved. This contradicts the commonly held view among most leading coaches that the new rules have accelerated football to the detriment of the game and its players.
The Article Greg Denham/TheAustralian/30Aug06

Trade rules amended
In a new initiative, clubs will be able to trade selections during this year's trade period without the direct involvement of players in the selection trades - a move designed to add flexibility to the system. AFL Football Operations Manager Adrian Anderson has written to all 16 AFL Clubs to inform them of Draft changes confirmed by the AFL Commission at its meeting last week. Anderson said the Commission had agreed to a proposal that now allowed clubs to trade one or more selections for the selections of another club, without a player involved in all such trades.
The Article Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/29Aug06

Change to trade rules
. . . It is not really for one club to one club deals. But rather is to help multi trade deals . . . ie Black wanted to go to Freo . . . Simmonds wanted to go to Tigers . . . and not Saints even though we would have liked him. In the end we took a player at the last minute that perhaps we did not want. With the new rules Black could have gone to Freo and Simmonds to Tigers . . . But instead of Fiora the saints could have say gotten pick 18 (I dont know exatly what they had) and we could have given the Tigers pick 65. This is how it can ease trade deals.
The Thread saintsRrising/saintsational.com

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