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2007 Pre Season Articles - Page 11
No more false starts for Clarke No-one has ever questioned the ability of silky-skilled Saint Xavier Clarke, yet injuries have dogged the Saint since he made his AFL debut in 2002. But on the eve of the 2007 season, the 'X-Man' is itching to play after completing his first pre-season in recent years. "I'm ready to go finally," Clarke told saints.com.au. "I've missed round one for the last two years so it's great to start the season fresh after coming off a pretty big pre-season. I'm looking forward to it. This is my first full pre-season in a couple of years but the program that Ross (Lyon) and the guys have put into place has been really good and the boys have coped with it really well. We had the season launch last Friday night at the MCG and it was great looking onto the ground, just picturing what it would be like in a week's time with hopefully 60,000 people there and hopefully running around kicking a few goals." The Article Matt Burgan/Sportal/saints.com.au/29Mar07 Cool Lyon right for AFL heat . . . The new senior coach was clearly bemused by the notion that he should be intimidated by the idea of coaching an AFL match. "Let's be clear on this: it's the first game. I am sure the goal posts are going to be there. I looked at the MCG Hall of Fame and it looked exactly the same as when I left it on September 23 or whenever and all the practice games really resembled Australian Rules football to me, the same as I have been involved in since I was 16. So unless you know something I don't know I think I will be OK," he said with a laugh. He is not sure how he will react in the coaches' box once the match begins and he must sift through a deluge of information compared with the trickle he received when coaching a VFL game. "It is about calm heads and clearly that starts with me. I need to be controlled and that will filter to the other assistants so they can make good decisions," he said. The Article Michael Gleeson/TheAgeRealFooty/30Mar07 Silvagni makes strong case for the defence In the final installment of the saints.com.au 2007 player squad preview, icon of the game Stephen Silvagni talks about the club's defenders and also discusses St Kilda's ruck stocks. Raphael Clarke: "Raph has obviously been hampered by a back injury, but he's not far away and hopefully he'll play early in the season. He's really progressed well and he's now doing skills and pretty much full training, so he's done a really good job. He's been really diligent with his rehab work and we're confident that when he's right, he'll play some really good footy for St Kilda this year." Xavier Clarke: "Xav has had a really good pre-season and it's his first completed one for some time and the form he's shown in the NAB Cup/Challenge has been pretty impressive, so we're hoping Xav will have a great year." Full Report Matt Burgan/saints.com.au/15Mar07 Footy code switch for Starcevich The position of 'Queensland Roar' strength and conditioning coach offered Craig Starcevich the perfect chance to be close to his family. Starcevich, who conditioned the Brisbane Lions to three successive AFL premierships, returned to Queensland for personal reasons after running St Kilda's fitness program last year. "It wasn't going to be viable with me being away from my kids again," the 39-year-old said yesterday. Starcevich returned north with no guarantee of a job and was delighted when the Roar position came up when Tony Ganter decided to stand down after two years at the helm of the A-League club's high-performance department . . . Starcevich said Australian rules midfielders "compare favourably" with soccer players in terms of the amount of aerobic conditioning needed to get through a match. The Article Marco Monteverde/CourierMail/13Mar07 Danny Sexton's pre-season report Development coach Danny Sexton runs through his development squad as part of the saints.com.au 2007 squad preview. Jarryd Allen: "He's an All-Australian under-18 representative and can play key forward or back. During the pre-season, he has added muscle to his frame and been training well. He has played one NAB Cup game and a NAB Challenge match at centre half-forward." David Armitage: "He's a left-footer from Queensland and was an All-Australian at under-18 level. He has played one NAB Cup match and two NAB Challenge games and he's a very good ball-winner in tight situations and at stoppages." Sam Gilbert: "Sam's had a few injury niggles and hasn't played a game yet. He'll be making his return to football this weekend. He's a tall, athletic player who can play around the midfield, while he is also well suited to half-back. He had a couple of senior games last year and has had a fairly strong pre-season." The Full Report saints.com.au/14Mar07 History of the Number 20 St Kilda's first selection at the 2006 draft, David Armitage is wearing the number 20 guernsey for the Club, which has special significance in Saints history. Travis Payze, who passed away late last year was a member of the 1966 premiership side and an All-Australian player in 1972. After making his debut wearing the No 31 in the 1966 Finals series, Payze wore the No 20 for the rest of his career.  The Article Russell Holmesby/saints.com.au/15Mar07
Saints support recognition of fire fighting volunteers Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks, today announced at the MCG, along with the AFL, Melbourne and St Kilda Football Clubs that at least 5,000 AFL tickets will be offered to emergency service volunteers and staff to recognise their commitment and dedication during the fire season. The free tickets will be available for the Round 1 opening game of the 2007 AFL Premiership season between St Kilda and Melbourne. St Kilda captain Luke Ball and Melbourne captain David Neitz were today at the AFL to lend their support to the cause. The Article saints.com.au/15Mar07
Thomas rejected for coaching liaison role A tentative bid for former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas to become the AFL Coaches Association liaison with the AFL has been rejected. AFLCA chief executive Peter Allen and chairman, Melbourne coach Neale Daniher, will continue in the role. The AFLCA, however, will add expertise to its ranks with an advisory group to the coaches expected to be ratified at the March 23 meeting. In a rare act of solidarity, the coaches are also expected to propose at the same meeting that new rules and interpretations are not introduced unless they are previewed in the pre-season competition. The option of using Thomas hit a roadblock yesterday. Fremantle coach Chris Connolly was amenable to the idea of Thomas joining the AFLCA, but he received a negative response from Daniher. The Article Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/15Mar07
Jim Ross will become the fifth Tasmanian inducted into St Kilda's Hall of Fame next week. Ross, 79, will be a guest of the Saints at their Hall of Fame induction dinner and season launch, which will be held in the MCC Members Dining Room at the MCG next Friday. A three-time best and fairest winner with St Kilda, Ross played 139 games between 1946-54 before accepting a coaching position with North Launceston. "I'm absolutely delighted to be given this honour," Ross said yesterday. Ross is hopeful of having members of his family who live in Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania with him at next week's induction. The Article Terry Morris/TheExaminer/16Mar07 Jim Ross Profile Jim Ross was a classy centre half forward or ruckman who won three best and fairest awards during a nine season, 139 game VFL career with St Kilda. He also booted 171 goals. In 1955 he joined North Launceston as playing coach with the Robins proclaiming him "one of the best footballers to come to Tasmania" (North Launceston Football Club 1889-1990 by Ron Williams). Ross spent seven seasons and played 109 NTFA games with North Launceston, winning the Tasman Shield Trophy on two occasions and his club's best and fairest award once. He also earned All Australian selection after the 1958 Melbourne carnival. Jim Ross retired from football after the Robins' 8.11 (59) to 8.10 (58) grand final defeat of Longford in 1961, a result which provided him with the only premiership of an illustrious career. The Profile fullpointsfooty.net Ferguson does hamstring out for 3 Fergie did his hamstring against Port and will be out for 3 weeks. Just another soft tissue injury. The Post plugger66/saintsational.com/13Mar07 Hayes makes return Lenny Hayes will return for St Kilda in a practice match against the Kangaroos at Princes Park tomorrow. The star midfielder hasn't played since Round 9 last season after injuring his knee against the same club at Telstra Dome and requiring a reconstruction. "Everything is going well, he's announced his intention and everybody has endorsed that, so it's great news," Saints football manager Ken Sheldon said yesterday. Hayes will be eased back and is unlikely to be ready for the team's season opener against Melbourne at the MCG on March 30. "Ross (Lyon) and the coaches and Lenny himself will consult and work out the best strategy, what's best for him," Sheldon said. The Article Michael Horan/HeraldSun/15Mar07
St Kilda's Lenny Hayes and Justin Koschitzke will play their first games for the year when the Saints meet the Kangaroos in a practice match tomorrow. Hayes, who ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against the Kangaroos in round nine last year, was named co-captain of the club with Luke Ball and Nick Riewoldt two weeks ago. Koschitzke played only six games last year in what became a horror season for the ruckman-forward and has been restricted by a quadriceps injury throughout the pre-season competition . . . Riewoldt, who pulled out of last week's practice match with back soreness, will not play tomorrow but football manager Ken Sheldon said he could play in round one . . . Sheldon said the return of Maguire, Hayes and Koschitzke ahead of the first game of the season was an enormous confidence boost for the club. However, he said all three players would continue to be closely monitored by coach Ross Lyon, the coaching staff and medical staff ahead of the opening match of the round on March 30. The Article Martin Boulton/TheAgeRealFooty/15Mar07 Looking for a miracle St Kilda, the much-suffering football club, has no saint to listen to its prayers. So who can deliver the miracle that would have the Saints, with their cult following, end a 41-year premiership drought? Is it to be either of the experienced ruckmen - Matthew Clarke from Adelaide or Michael Gardiner from the wild, wild west - who will ignite a talented midfield where Brownlow Medallist Robert Harvey will appear for his 20th AFL season? Is it St Nick, aka Nick Riewoldt, or any of the other top-order draft picks from the past seven years such as Justin Koschitzke, Brendon Goddard, Luke Ball and Nick Dal Santo who have blessed St Kilda's list? Is it the miracle lad himself, key defender Matt Maguire, who has surprisingly made it to the start line of the premiership season despite shattering his left leg last August? Or has the moment simply passed St Kilda, which starts the year with an intriguing slogan - Believe or Burn? The Article Michelangelo Rucci/AdelaideAdvertiser/15Mar07 Star Saints pair return New St Kilda co-captain Lenny Hayes and talented but injury-prone big man Justin Koschitzke will both make their first appearances of the 2007 season this week. The pair was named in the Saints' squad for the club's final practice match - against the Kangaroos at MC Labour Park on Friday afternoon - ahead of the start of the home and away season on March 30. Hayes, who was recently announced as a joint skipper of the Saints along with Nick Riewoldt and Luke Ball, will be making his first appearance since suffering a serious knee injury in round nine last season. And Koschitzke, who has managed just 58 games in five injury-plagued seasons since winning the 2001 Rising Star award in his debut year, returns after missing all of the pre-season so far due to a quad injury. However Riewoldt is still sidelined with a hamstring injury and will now go into the home and away season without a single hit-out under his belt after he almost returned last week against Port Adelaide before pulling out after the warm-up. The Article Paul Gough/Sportal/14Mar07
It is more than 24 years since Beveridge began at St Kilda, first as the club's development officer and, since 1994, as its chief recruiter. If you're looking for him on a weekend, you can find him at a junior game, perched in his famous spot in the forward pocket, binoculars at the ready. At Moorabbin, he is not only one of the longest-serving members of staff, but among the most beloved. Every player on the club's list was chosen by him, including Robert Harvey, who was only 14 when Beveridge asked him to join a junior squad. Then, Harvey was so quiet and skinny that the coach hardly noticed him, and sat him on the bench half the day. Less than two years later, Harvey made his senior debut. Beveridge has not earned the "gold bullion" some of his star picks have. But neither has his job ever felt like work - he loves being around young people, and granting them a chance at their dream. BEVERIDGE'S BIGGEST HITS Steward Loewe Zoned to Hawthorn, but cut from the club's junior list when the Saints snaffled him. Played 237 games for St Kilda, represented Victoria 10 times, was twice an All-Australian. Aussie Jones After snaring Joel Smith with his first pick as recruiting manager, Beveridge chose Jones at No. 48. He played 226 games in 11 seasons and was almost best on ground in the 1997 grand final. Barry Hall Picked at No. 19 in the 1995 draft. The Saints' first pick that year was Daniel Healy. Superdraft: 2001 Beveridge used his first five picks in the so-called "superdraft" on Luke Ball (No. 2), Xavier Clarke (5), Nick Dal Santo (13), Matt Maguire (31) and Leigh Montagna (37). Leigh Fisher Nabbed at No. 46 in the 2002 draft. Sam Fisher Having played mostly in the West Adelaide forward line, fell to No. 55 in the 2003 draft. "I don't think even we imagined he would become a running defender," Beveridge said. THE SMOKIES James Gwilt No. 63 in 2004, Gwilt kicked three goals against Adelaide in a final in his first year. Justin Sweeney No. 71, 2005 draft. Was kicking bags of goals for Tyabb when Beveridge was pointed in his direction. Named a senior emergency twice last year. Luke van Rheenen 2007 rookie draft. A 201-centimetre 19-year-old born in South Africa. Playing for Scoresby. The Article Emma Quayle/TheAgeRealFooty/11Mar07 Nick's return on ice After feeling back soreness and tightness in the warm-up, Riewoldt withdrew from the practice match against Port Adelaide and watched from the sidelines. The Saints are taking an ultra-cautious approach with Riewoldt, meaning he is unlikely to be risked against the Roos. There is the option of a practice run with VFL affiliate Casey Scorpions in the final weekend before the season, but the Saints have confirmed they are highly unlikely to take that gamble either. If he misses the next fortnight, Riewoldt will enter the season-opener against Melbourne at the MCG in Round 1 without a match under his belt. Riewoldt was able to complete some training yesterday and will be assessed again later in the week. The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/13Mar07
Saints remain under fitness cloud Despite the off-field overhaul between seasons at St Kilda, there is a disturbingly familiar look about the playing group. For the third year in a row, the prognosis is: Good list, exciting list, but can the big names stand up? Basically, the Saints head into the 2007 season with the core of their key personnel underdone. Riewoldt, Hayes, Koschitzke, Ball, Maguire, Hudghton, Gardiner and Leigh Fisher all are behind schedule in their preparation. Not to mention Hamill, whose future seems to be in grave doubt. Then there's the highly-skilled Raf Clarke, who just doesn't seem able to solve his back/hamstring problems. Fragile or unlucky, who knows? What we do know is the Saints will start the season behind the field. That can be costly these days, for round one is as fierce, as demanding, as any round of the season. The Article Mike Sheahan/TheAustralian/13Mar07 2007 preview: St Kilda St Kilda reached the finals for the third consecutive season in 2006 - the club's second-best-ever finals streak - but that did not stop the Saints from replacing their second-longest serving coach, Grant Thomas. Debutant Ross Lyon now takes the chair after assistant roles at Richmond, Carlton and most recently Sydney. The obvious question is: can the Saints return to being a top four team? A common perception is that with its glamour list, by now St Kilda should have been pushing for a flag. But reality is more complex. Crucial players such as Nick Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke, Aaron Hamill, Lenny Hayes, Max Hudghton, Matt Maguire, Leigh Fisher, Xavier Clarke and Raphael Clarke have missed key chunks of football, meaning that in past years St Kilda has rarely had its best side on the paddock . . . The Full Review Matt Burgan/AFL/saints.com.au/12Mar07 Where's your club at? ST KILDA: St Kilda is the second side yet to muster a win during the NAB Cup/Challenge series and a 57-point loss to Port Adelaide did not add much to its campaign. The most encouraging news from the match was that Matt Maguire has returned after his shocking broken leg last year. He first appeared during the third quarter, coming onto the ground at the 17-minute mark. Stephen Milne bagged four goals in an otherwise disappointing performance from the Saints. All Clubs Report Matt Burgan/AFL/saints.com.au/12Mar07 2007 squad preview: midfield News In the second part of the saints.com.au 2007 squad preview, midfield coach Anthony Rock gives us the rundown on how his players are tracking for the season ahead. Steven Baker: "His pre-season has been fantastic. He's said that his preparation, the year before this pre-season, wasn't as good, so he's really put everything into this pre-season. He's really, really fit. His back does get very stiff, but he's really fought right through that." Luke Ball: "Luke's been another guy that has been restricted by injuries in previous years. But he's had a full pre-season and, all things going well, he should be set for a big year." Shane Birss: "Shane's a smart player. His pre-season was hampered by a foot injury, but he's got himself back on track. He's just got a little bit of work to do to get up to AFL elite running standard. He's got that potential and he just hasn't reached that at the moment." The Article Matt Burgan/saints.com.au/10Mar07 New blood for AFL Players Association Peter Bell and Nathan Buckley have stood down as figureheads of the AFL Players Association, and one of Joel Bowden, Adam Goodes, Tom Harley, Brett Burton and Darryl Wakelin — all executive members — is expected to become the new president of the union on Thursday. St Kilda's Luke Ball, Brisbane Lion Luke Power, Western Bulldog Robert Murphy and Magpie Nick Maxwell will join the 11-man executive after four positions were vacated at the end of last season. Kangaroo veteran Glenn Archer, retired Melbourne defender Alistair Nicholson, Bell and Buckley all stood down from their posts. The Article Samantha Lane/TheAgeRealFooty/20Mar07 Football drinking culture 'turning around': survey Local football club members across Australia are cutting back on their drinking, a new Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) survey shows. The survey of more than 1,600 Australian Rules club members found many clubs taking part in the ADF's Good Sports program were turning around heavy drinking cultures and reducing their reliance on alcohol revenue. The Good Sports program helps sporting clubs manage alcohol responsibly and reduce binge and underage drinking problems. The ADF survey found that on average, Good Sports club members drank half the amount of alcohol at their club as people in clubs not in the Good Sports program. The Article AAP/AFL/saints.com.au/19Mar07 Football clubs play ball on drinking Football clubs across Australia are changing their hard-drinking culture, an Australian Drug Foundation survey shows. The survey of 1609 football club members last season found that many clubs who were involved in the foundation's Good Sports program — which helps clubs manage alcohol responsibly and reduce binge and under-age drinking — were changing the drinking habits of members. The survey found that members of Good Sports clubs drank half as much alcohol as other football club members, with the average number of drinks a person had in a sitting falling from six to three. The Article Olivia Hill-Douglas/TheAgeRealFooty/20Mar07 Players 16 to 30 previewed #16 Raphael Clarke Leading up to his drafting St Kilda fans were going wild on bringing in a brother brother rule, mad to get this kid. Also up in the same draft was young Watts, who was a st kilda supporter and the saints thought they should try and get one or the other. Both were expected to go early and the saints were rapt to get him. Raphael subsequently was to have a string of injuries offering up 22 games and 3 goals in 3 season from 2004 with about 6 of those games him limping off injured. gifted with elegant pace, stylish delivery and long kicking many consider raphael could be good enough to be a marking forward, or a short KPP, his slight frame however would indicate a tall wingman or HBF, averaging a little more than a dozen possessions a game his courage can't be doubted as he throws his body into everything. again injured in 2007, saints are hoping he can pick up and flower into a top player but has shown limited form todate. # 17 Aaron Fiora Fiora is an enigma, in the same game capable of mindless reckless courage, in another gets accused of squibing. Fiora is an immensely talented player, but seen as int he range of 18 to 25 in the club. often called princess or fiona, played 17 games in 2006 averaging about 15 possessions and a handful of goals. Probably going to slip out of st kilda's best 22 unless he can string together some form in 2007 # 18 Brendon Goddard Another maligned player who can never seem to please the fans. At 20/21 in 2006 produced enough quality to put him in the elite category of ball handlers. averaging 22 possessions a game 8 long kicks, 3 tackles, plenty of goal assists as well as rebounds goddard proved to be an amazing player up to his reputation. height and bulk robbed him of some of his school boy pace and evasiveness as this young boy blossoms into a young man. strong enough to hold down a KPP, skill ful enough to play a dipper like role on the wing or HBF. weaknesses in 2006 was indecision, his first or third decision seem to be effective by the second deciison often saw him caught. He was also exposed for pace and endurance when playing in the centre for a whole game. explosive player who will play a BIG part at st kilda over the next decade, definately going to be a marquee player at st kilda if he isn't already. # 19 Sam Gilbert Got a couple of games in 2006, fringe of the fringe player, not showing a lot in the magoos atm. # 20 David Armitage St Kilda's first round draft pick has a lot of people excited, body build like colin sylvia a few years, gutsy, hard at, could find himself in the seniors VERY early in his career. # 21 Matthew Ferguson The crowd is out on ferguson, some think he can be in the starting 22, others think just outside. injury has made the selectors decision for them, whether he is the next david Grant/brett voss or better will be determined later. # 22 Shane Birss GOP picked up on the fringe trades, might have some value, at the moment most dont see him in the starting 22. # 23 Justin Koschitzke Who knows? if he can keep his body right and run into form, could be anything. Fantastic CHB, adequate or better FF, actually effective off the wing, and can throw his body int he ruck. Kosi is both exciting, and frustrating, could be anythign from a Marquee player to trade bait with everything in between. has everything, courage, marking, pace, kicking. # 24 Barry Brooks Another round 1 draft pick who st kilda traded their no.6 draft pick (which turned out to be a number 4 draft pick!) for this kid. has shown glimses. With all the investment in him st kilda are expecting payback. either at FF or long term ruckman, at the moment will be no 3 ruckman, not unlike at Port or if he can show some form, no.2 FF. # 25 Samuel Fisher Sam Fisher has developed from a fringe player to one of st kilda's 3 permanent talls in Defence. his endurance, courage, marking, his ability to keep his cool under pressure has made him a vital cog int he defence and I would say one of our auto picks in 2007. # 26 Nick Dal Santo The Matrix, started off 2006 like a house on fire before getting weary. Will be stronger and better in 2007. I think we are all excited at his continued development. Rare evasive skills. Criticism are that he can be tagged out of the game, a tad one sided and can be worn down by physical pressure. strength, he is a midfield breaker, can carry the ball and deliver to the forwards. # 27 Jason Blake Another maligned st kilda player. at the moment his stocks have slipped and is probably just in or out of our 22, being in the 18 to 25 range. Some reckon he never captured his form after sydney/richmond ruckman stafford cracked his spine. # 28 Matthew Clarke Who knows if matty clarke can go around long enough to put some silver in the trophy? some reckon its a bad descent to the bad old days of st kilda being a retirement village for hackes, others see this as a creative solution to have a playing ruck coach, who can carry through to the finals. he's big, he's slow, his around the ground ability gone, but he is expected to give our midfielders first use of the ball for 10 to 15 of each quarter. # 29 Michael Rix Another fringe player, probably no.4 ruckman at stkilda # 30 Brad Howard Untried kid, still very raw. shown nothing yet, wont be in the seniors this year more than likely. The Post 'Dan Warna' saintsational.com GO BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE
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