Archives

"Rix can mark the ball and has got a strong body and he can run all day . . . He imposes himself on the game and has a high workrate, which is important." Casey Scorpions coach Peter Banfield on Rix.

Injuries cut down Saints big men
St Kilda's fragile big man department copped another jolt yesterday when Cain Ackland, Barry Brooks and James Gwilt were all injured lining up for VFL affiliate the Casey Scorpions in senior and reserve games against Box Hill. Ackland, 24, dropped from the St Kilda side after an ordinary start to the season, went to Richmond's Epworth Hospital with a suspected broken finger on his right hand, which he sustained during the third quarter. Brooks, 22, booted two early goals, but came off with a strained left hamstring before half-time. He had previously been sidelined with a right hamstring injury. Gwilt, 19, is likely to be X-rayed today to determine the extent of damage to his left ankle after limping off in the first quarter of the reserves game against the Hawks.
The Article Howard Leigh/HeraldSun/30April06

"The new rules and the faster nature of the game in 2006 is probably a reason why sides like the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn have got off to such excellent starts. Both sides like to run a bit and at this stage are showing the benefit of their extra month of training. Hopefully by the time we get to the pointy end of the season, it will be the Saints who are doing all the running." Luke Ball

This captaincy caper
I'm not too sure about this captaincy caper. The season's already four games all, but I've only managed to play two games and in both of those I lost the toss and the games. It's not the ideal start to my stint as captain. Actually, it has been a pretty positive experience so far, despite the results and it hasn't been all that different given that I was part of the leadership group at the club for the past two years. But we have been a bit slow out of the blocks and that has been a bit of a concern. We've been good at Telstra Dome and we've found our feet there, but we've struggled a bit on the road and while injuries haven't helped in that respect, I'd like to think that with the season now getting into its second month that we'll be up and running and stringing a few wins together.
The Article Luke Ball/AFL/saints.com.au/28April06

"We are not expecting the ultimate success, we are DEMANDING it I used to laugh at the Carlton supporters arguing amongst each other and used to think that Saints supporters will never be like that. But we have become that, we are questioning everything now as we know we have the cattle to take us through. Our team has never been better placed like this year, and some here think that we will do what we have always done, snatch defeat from the jaws of victory". saintsrus - Saintsational Fan Forum

Recent Threads of Interest - Saintsational Fan Forum
Rix - Must be delisted! saintsational.com
Ackland breaks finger saintsational.com
Eade can't Coach! saintsational.com
Rix must play next week! saintsational.com

"Obviously Freo have had a loss and we've had a loss and we both want to attain, so it should be a really good, tight tussle and the best team should win" Grant Thomas on the Freo match

Saints look forward with hope
With both his side and Fremantle coming off defeats last week, St Kilda coach Grant Thomas is not quite sure how to approach Sunday's clash between the two clubs at Aurora Stadium. Thomas recognises his team needs to lift and is taking little comfort from the knowledge that the Dockers have never won in Tasmania and were beaten there as recently as round one by Hawthorn. "Look I don't think history has got much to do with footy in this day and age. I think it just comes down to who's on their game at a particular time. It's got a lot to do with what you're coming off, whether you've been belted or whether you've won and are in front of yourself. It's all those factors," he said.
The Article Mark Rasmussen/Sportal/saints.com.au/28April06
Freo's fling to stay in top 8 David Davutovic/SundayTimes(WA)/30April06

Blake faces giant task
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas insists he is not playing games by leaving undersized ruckman Jason Blake to face the task of negating Fremantle man mountain Aaron Sandilands tomorrow. The Saints made the surprise move last night of axing Cain Ackland for the clash against the Dockers in Launceston, after Ackland and Blake had shared the ruck role through the opening four rounds. While Ackland's timing at the centre bounces was clearly out in the loss to Port Adelaide on Monday, it was thought he would retain his spot, if for no other reason than for his height. Sandilands, at 211cm, is the tallest man in the AFL, while Ackland is 196cm and the bustling Blake 189cm. The Saints are already without the injured Justin Koschitzke (197cm). Thomas said he had lost patience with Ackland.
The Article Jon Pierik/TheAustralian/29April06
Ruckman puts Saints on short noticeThe Article Michael Gleeson & David Reed/TheAge/29April06
Blake faces big task against Freo Jon Pierik/HeraldSun/29April06

"The aim of footy is to be competitive and beat your opponent and win your own footy . . . You don't have to be Einstein to see that he has a confidence dilemma at the moment. He needs to adjust his approach. His timing is bad, the timing of his marks is out." Grant Thomas on Cain Ackland
Three changes for Sunday
St Kilda has dropped ruckman Cain Ackland, but regains full forward Fraser Gehrig for its clash with Fremantle at Aurora Stadium in Launceston on Sunday. Brendon Goddard and Allan Murray also come back into the team after stints with the Scorpions in the VFL while Justin Koschitzke will miss two weeks with quad soreness and Aaron Fiora has been omitted from the side that lost to Port Adelaide by four points last week. Ackland's omission leaves the entire ruck burden with Jason Blake who will have his hands full against the AFL's tallest ruckman in Aaron Sandilands. Both Ackland and Fiora have been named as emergencies along with Sam Gilbert who was part of the extended team published on Thursday.
The Article Jason Phelan/Sportal/saints.com.au/27April06
Ruckman Controversy saintsational.com
Achland Out saintsational.com

"He's just got to prove to training services that he's fit and available . . . we're really confident he will be, he's very confident". Grant Thomas on Fraser Gehrig

Gehrig returns for Saints
St Kilda has added four players to its squad to take on Fremantle at Aurora Stadium in Launceston on Sunday with only one definite exclusion to date. Justin Koschitzke goes out of the side with a quad strain which is set to sideline him for two weeks. Fraser Gehrig has been named to return from the hamstring strain that kept him out of last week's clash with Port Adelaide. Other additions to the Saints' extended squad are Brendon Goddard, Allan Murray and Sam Gilbert, with all three named on the bench. Meanwhile, the Dockers have added five players to their extended squad - two of whom will be required to replace the injured Paul Hasleby and the omitted Roger Hayden.
Teams and Article saints.com.au/27April06
Five ins for Saints clash saints.com.au/27April06
All AFL teams for Round 5 HeraldSun/27April06
Round 5 previews HeraldSun/27April06

"This week's a hell of a lot of precaution and our expectation is he should be right next week. We haven't definitively ascertained whether it's a tear or a corkie yet . . . We haven't been able to ascertain definitively one way or the other but with 'Kosi' it's always a conservative approach. If this was a grand final or something like that I'm sure that we'd probably be nearly playing him, he's in that sort of situation" Grant Thomas on Justin Koschitzke

Saints' big defect
St Kilda's ruck crisis, real or perceived, was identified on the opening night of the 2006 season. Battle of the big men: Lion Mitchell Clark and Cain Ackland ruck. West Coast's Dean Cox toyed with St Kilda's tandem operation of Cain Ackland and Jason Blake at Subiaco Oval that night. It was a problem acknowledged even by the Saints themselves when an angry Ackland and Blake tangled at the three-quarter time huddle on national television. Sadly for the Saints, things seem to have gone downhill from there. So far this year, Cox, Troy Simmonds (Richmond), Jamie Charman (Brisbane Lions) and Brendon Lade (Port Adelaide) all have been high in the best players in engagements with the Saints.
The Article Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/28April06

AFL crowds, TV ratings in early slump
Two of the key indicators the AFL marks itself on — crowds and national free-to-air television audiences — are down after a football-saturated opening month of the season. And while Queensland has been nominated as a state-in-waiting for a second AFL side, television ratings have plummeted in Brisbane as the Lions have tumbled from football supremacy. While Brisbane heartily embraced the non-native football code during the Lions' three year stint at the top, Queenslanders are proving a fickle audience now that the locals are struggling. Continuing a declining audience trend from last year, Brisbane viewers have been tuning out in the first four weeks of the new season. Network Ten recently committed to televising its marquee Saturday night broadcasts into Brisbane live, or close to it, every Saturday night for the term of the new five-year broadcasting agreement.
The Article Samantha Lane/TheAge/30April06

Gehrig must get through training session
. . . According to St Kilda's training services manager Craig Starcevich, Gehrig will be right to play against Fremantle on the weekend but must get through today's full training session.
Top guns go missing, but bookends return Lyall Johnson/TheAge/28April06

Winmar fever hits town
St Kilda Team of the Century legend Nicky Winmar will make his much anticipated return to football today for Rutherglen against arch rival Chiltern in the Tallangatta and District League. The 251-game VFL/AFL veteran moved to Corowa with partner Beth in March after spending the past four years in Western Australia. Despite his obvious talent and experience, Winmar, 40, said the anticipation surrounding his debut for the Cats had generated nerves . . . Rutherglen and the surrounding region is abuzz with Winmar fever.
The Article David Hastie/HeraldSun/29April06

Duffield set for Dockers debut
After his AFL debut had to be aborted last week because of an untimely bout of flu, young Fremantle utility Paul Duffield is set to take his senior bow this weekend against St Kilda in Tasmania. Duffield, 21, had been due to be named for a home debut against Adelaide, but sickness prevented him taking his place in the squad for the first time. Following a strong performance on the track from Duffield this week, Fremantle coach Chris Connolly was expected to name Duffield in his squad for the Saints match at Aurora Stadium on Sunday. Duffield said he had been confident he would get his AFL chance after an impressive pre-season, but was still nervous before making his debut.
The Article TheAustralian/27April06
Duffield rewarded with AFL debut Jay Rooney/FootyGoss/27April06

Leigh Montagna: Saints will go distance
St Kilda wingman Leigh Montagna said yesterday that the Saints were confident going into Sunday's AFL clash against Fremantle at Aurora Stadium - despite having a poor travelling record this season. "We're confident every week we play expecting to win, and this week is no different," Montagna said. "Obviously we were disappointed with our loss last week and Fremantle are a good side - but we will be looking to rebound and have a good win down there." Montagna said he had been relatively happy with his own form while trying to cement a spot in the Saints' side. "We have some good players round the ball like Lenny Hayes, `Harvs' and Dal Santo - and I am just trying to slot in on a wing and run and carry the footy and kick some goals from the midfield," he said.
The Article Phil Edwards/Examiner/28April06

Keeping faith
St Kilda isn't panicking yet despite its shaky start to a season that was supposed to bring premiership glory, according to assistant coach Mick McGuane. Sitting seventh on the ladder with a 2-2 win-loss ratio, coming off a close loss to bogey side Port Adelaide and weighed down by the expectation of experts and fans alike, it would be understandable if the Saints were feeling a little edgy going into their clash with Fremantle at Aurora Stadium on Sunday. The 40th anniversary of St Kilda's one and only premiership, 2006 was supposed to be the year of the Saint.
The ArticleThe Article TheAdvocate/29April06

Match Preview: St Kilda v Fremantle
. . . Aside from what looms as an intriguing match, several key match-ups will be equally fascinating. Hasleby will be a loss for the Dockers, yet they still have plenty of quality ball-winners in Peter Bell, Heath Black, Josh Carr and Byron Schammer, while veteran Shaun McManus has revitalised his career with some fine performances so far in 2006. But they must contend with the class of Luke Ball, Robert Harvey, Lenny Hayes and Nick Dal Santo, in what looms as a crucial battle in the engine room. Key St Kilda defenders Max Hudghton and Matt Maguire will have huge jobs on Luke McPharlin and Matthew Pavlich respectively. But Fremantle defender Shane Parker will also have an enormous task of attempting to curb the influence of Saints' superstar Nick Riewoldt. In the ruck, the tallest player in the competition - Aaron Sandilands - will be pitted against St Kilda's Cain Ackland.
The Article AFL/saints.com.au/27April06

Saints plan to be at best for Freo
St Kilda assistant coach Mick McGuane said the Saints would be looking to bring their A-grade game to Aurora Stadium for fans on Sunday when they take on Fremantle in their round 5 AFL clash. Describing the Saints' four-point loss to Port Adelaide as the "one that got away", McGuane said the team had worked on a number of areas of improvement this week. "We felt we controlled a lot of areas of that Port game but we didn't come out in front at the end of the day," McGuane said. "We will try to put in place the right structures and personnel so we don't get exposed in areas of the game we rate pretty importantly." The Saints meet Fremantle, with both sides having a 2-2 win-loss ratio and vying to consolidate a top-eight spot.
The Article Phil Edwards/The Examiner/27April06

Saints game strategy analysed by Craig
Neil Craig sat in the stands. There was no match-up board to play with. No assistant coaches feeding information about opposition moves, player statistics, injury updates. He was just a face in the crowd watching Port Adelaide play St Kilda. Half-time had come and gone and Port had the match under control. Within minutes the balance of the game had swung swiftly and violently. Troy Schwarze appeared at full forward and kicked two goals as St Kilda scored four in seven minutes. Match reports afterwards said the move of Schwarze to the forward line had been telling. But something else had caught the eye of Craig. The Adelaide coach had been drawn to Xavier Clarke, who had been positioned in defence by St Kilda. Here, thought Craig, was the move that had sent the match spinning.
Crows' Craig is one out of the box with a general view Patrick Smith/TheAustralian/27April06

Koschitzke out for two
The Saints have officially ruled a line through Justin Koschitzke's name for Sunday's match against Fremantle in Launceston. Koschitzke had been rated an outside chance to recover from tightness in a right quad muscle sustained during Monday night's encounter against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium. But in its official injury list released on Wednesday afternoon, the club has Koschitzke penciled-in for two weeks on the sidelines. St Kilda training services manager Craig Starcevich said there were "a million and one different hypotheses" as to why he's managed to "tighten up and slightly strain" his quad. "We're trying to come up with different reasons why, but he's done a whole heap of work and the main thing that left him vulnerable was that fact that it's early days in his match preparation, so he hasn't had the luxury of being eased back into practice games and intra-club games," Starcevich told saints.com.au.
The Article Matt Burgan/saints.com.au/26April06
Tribunal clears Carr Scott Spits/saints.com.au/26April06
Changes for Round 5 saintsational.com

Midfield rivals tap into Sandilands' dominance
. . . The Launceston match is pivotal with Fremantle sitting eighth but in a logjam of four clubs on two wins. Rookie Paul Duffield is a strong chance to make his debut after recovering from the virus that kept him sidelined last week. The Saints suffered a big blow when star utility player Justin Koschitzke was ruled out for two weeks with quad tightness. The former Rising Star winner struggled during the Saints' four-point loss to Port Adelaide on Monday night in his first game back from injury this year. Full-forward Fraser Gehrig faces a fitness test on the hamstring injury that forced him to sit out the game against the Power. Connolly was confident his players would implement the game plan better this week and he expected the Saints to use fewer defensive strategies to lock the game down. "Our game plan is fine. We've won two games and lost two games," he said. "St Kilda take you head on. They really back themselves in all the time."
The Article Craig O'Donoghue/TheWestAustralian/26April06


ALL 2006 ARTICLES l HOME l GO BACK