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2007 Pre Season Articles - Page 12 - Moorabbin Oval to become Linen House Oval
St Kilda to sleep easy The Saints have spent years building an image as AFL tough guys. All that work went down the drain yesterday when Moorabbin Oval was renamed Linen House Oval. St Kilda's famous and intimidating home of more than 40 years has been named after a company that makes pillows and bed sheets. St Kilda legend Danny Frawley, who played most of his 240 games at Moorabbin, was stunned to hear of the name change yesterday. "Well, at least the boys will be sleeping comfortably. They'll be in no danger of a lack of shut-eye." St Kilda chief executive Archie Fraser said he was very excited about Linen House making its bed at Moorabbin. "Linen House is a leader in the home textile market and has been a strong supporter of the Saints for many years," he said. "With this new partnership, and the first time Moorabbin Oval has been renamed, we are looking forward to seeing the Linen House logo feature prominently here at Moorabbin." Linen House directors Gordon and Michele Duncan were thrilled. "At Linen House, we are very excited to hold the initial naming rights for Moorabbin Oval," they said. "We see it as an excellent opportunity to strengthen our sponsorship support of the Saints and to increase the exposure of our leading brand of bed linen and household textiles." Moorabbin Oval's demise is the latest in a line of grounds to be sacrificed for sponsorship dollars. The Article Sam Edmund/HeraldSun/20Mar077 AFL flag tipped to fly in west again It is seen by many as a year where any of the 16 teams could win the flag, but the view among the AFL's captains is clear -- Fremantle is the team to beat in 2007. At yesterday's AFL season launch in Melbourne, The Gold Coast Bulletin talked to 13 of the 16 captains to find out which club, other than their own, is their tip for the premiership this season. While reigning premiers West Coast and Sydney figured heavily as predicted, the vast majority tipped the exciting Dockers to win their first flag in the club's 12-year AFL history . . . Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda): I think Fremantle will be hard to beat. They are always hard to beat at home and that means they will pretty much qualify for the finals straight away if they win all home games. The Article Nick Smart/GoldCoastBulletin/24Mar07 All hail Judd and Goodes By year's end West Coast premiership captain Chris Judd will not be the first AFL player to command a $1-million-a-year contract. But the 2004 Brownlow Medallist will be the only one signing such a deal - and perhaps not with the Eagles. Judd, 23, is starting the year as the punters' favourite for the Brownlow Medal for the AFL's fairest-and-best player. This may not be politically correct to note after a pre-season scarred by gambling scandals. The Article Michelangelo Rucci/AdelaideAdvertiser/26Mar07 Saints marching towards round one St Kilda had an encouraging end to its sometimes-rocky AFL pre-season, with several senior players making it through a VFL practice game. The Saints have had ongoing injury problems throughout the summer and co-captain Nick Riewoldt could miss next Friday night's round-one match against Melbourne with hamstring and back problems. But full-back Max Hudghton had his first hitout of the year, playing for St Kilda's VFL affiliate the Casey Scorpions in their practice game. Co-captain Lenny Hayes, Justin Koschitzke, Andrew Thompson and Leigh Fisher also played in the match as they staked their claims for round one. "What we were looking for was a concerted hitout for each player, to get some game time and confidence - we were pleased with that," said Saints football manager Ken Sheldon. "They're all up for selection, we'll make those decisions in the normal process of the week. It's a step in the right direction." The Article AAP/WestAustralian/24Mar07 Stars take advantage of a last hitout in VFL With only one weekend left until the start of the premiership season, several AFL players who have had limited pre-seasons will gain valuable game time by lining up for their clubs' VFL affiliates. Players from at least seven AFL clubs - St Kilda, the Western Bulldogs, Collingwood, Carlton, Melbourne, Richmond and the Kangaroos - have been given permission to play in VFL practice matches this weekend. Today at 2pm, the Casey Scorpions will play the Northern Bullants at Casey Fields. St Kilda players lining up for the Scorpions include Leigh Fisher, Sam Gilbert, Lenny Hayes, Max Hudghton, Justin Koschitzke, Matthew Maguire, Andrew Thompson, Brett Voss. The Article TheAgeRealFooty/24Mar07 AFL captains on the game's burning issues Nick Riewoldt St Kilda "The (drugs) issue at the moment is huge. Hopefully everyone can learn from it and from all the other things, like gambling, which emerged recently, or even behaviour involving women that was a problem a little while ago. If we do, hopefully the big issues of next year are on-field ones." THE CAPTAINS SAY WHICH SEVEN OTHER CLUBS DO YOU THINK CAN MAKE THIS YEAR'S TOP EIGHT? (16 times seven selections) Fremantle (15), Sydney (15), West Coast (15), St Kilda (14), Adelaide (13), Western Bulldogs (12), Geelong (11), Melbourne (10), Port Adelaide (four), Brisbane Lions (two), Richmond (one), Carlton (nil), Collingwood (nil), Essendon (nil), Hawthorn (nil), Kangaroos (nil). . The Article TheAgeRealFooty/23Mar07
. . . The Saints co-skipper, who has not completed a full session for a fortnight, needs to show significant improvement on the training track next week. "I'm probably a little bit less than 50-50," Riewoldt said yesterday. "I'd expect I'd have to train pretty strongly next week to play. If I'm not right, I won't be taking too many risks" . . . Riewoldt withdrew from a practice match against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium two weeks ago after feeling back tightness during the warm-up. "I didn't have an incident. It just didn't feel right," Riewoldt said. "We came back and did a little bit of investigating. I think it was just more of a scar-tissue thing. We've been working over the last couple of weeks to build up slowly and take no risks at all. I'm working towards Round 1. Fingers crossed, I can be there for that." The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/23Mar07 Skippers tip Judd, Dockers for top honours . . . At a gathering in the AFL boardroom on Thursday, the captains were asked five key questions on the season ahead, with the proviso that their individual answers would be treated anonymously to ensure personal views: The five key questions were:- Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year's top eight? Which other club is most likely to reach the Grand Final? Who do you think will win the 2007 Coleman Medal? Who do you think will win the 2007 NAB AFL Rising Star? Who do you think will win the 2007 Brownlow Medal? The Article AFL/saints.com.au/22Mar07
Ian Stewart officially became a club legend on Friday night when he was elevated to that elite status during St Kilda's Hall of Fame and season launch held at the MCC members' dining room. Stewart, an inaugural Hall of Fame member in 2003, joins Darrel Baldock as one of only two St Kilda 'legends'. Baldock was an immediate legend during that first induction in 2003. Baldock and Stewart are also two of 20 Australian Football Hall of Fame members. At the dinner, attended by 400 people, the club inducted 12 other players and one administrator into the Hall of Fame. Club greats Harold Bray, Barry Breen, Jack Davis, Keith Drinan, Wels Eicke, Danny Frawley, Stewart Loewe, Alan Morrow, Bob Murray, Kevin Neale, Travis Payze and Jim Ross were inducted, along with former president Graham Huggins. The Full Report Matt Burgan/saints.com.au/24Mar07 Stewart named a legend Ian Stewart last night became the second legend inducted into St Kilda's hall of fame, joining his premiership teammate and fellow Tasmanian great Darrel Baldock. Barry Breen, who kicked the point that secured the Saints' only premiership in 1966, was also one of 13 inductees named at the dinner held at the MCG. Modern greats Stewart Loewe and Danny Frawley were inducted, as well as Alan Morrow, Bob Murray, Kevin Neale, Travis Payze, Jim Ross, Harold Bray, Jack Davis, Keith Drinan, Wels Eicke and Graham Huggins. Stewart, who bought his own training guernsey rather than ask for one, was the Saints' best-and-fairest player in 1964 and 1966 and won the Brownlow Medal in 1965-66. He was made club captain in 1969 but held the position for one season before moving to Richmond, where he won a third Brownlow in 1971. The Article Samantha Lane/TheAgeRealFooty/24Mar07 $30,000 bet on Saints A St Kilda fan has plonked $30,000 on his team to win the 2007 AFL flag. In the biggest AFL bet taken by TAB Sportsbet this year, the fan stands to win $300,000 if the Moorabbin-based Saints can take their first flag since 1966. Amid all the drama surrounding the West Coast Eagles, one loyal supporter today put $1000 on them to go back-to-back in 2007 at $5.50. The Article Barry Dick/CourierMail/21Mar07 St Kilda to sleep easy The Saints have spent years building an image as AFL tough guys. All that work went down the drain yesterday when Moorabbin Oval was renamed Linen House Oval. St Kilda's famous and intimidating home of more than 40 years has been named after a company that makes pillows and bed sheets. St Kilda legend Danny Frawley, who played most of his 240 games at Moorabbin, was stunned to hear of the name change yesterday. The Article Sam Edmund/HeraldSun/20Mar077 6,000 fans support the Saints at Family Day An estimated strong crowd of 6,000 Saints fans gathered at Moorabbin on Sunday 18th March for St Kilda's annual Family Day. The majority of Saints players and all the coaching staff were in attendance, giving supporters the opportunity to be up close and personal with their Saints stars. At 1.30pm each Saints player was presented with their 2007 playing guernsey, by a supporter who had won a website competition to give a player their official 2007 jumper. Coach Ross Lyon was formally welcomed by cheering Saints fans and the new coach said he was looking forward to the 2007 season. Newly appointed captains Luke Ball, Lenny Hayes and Nick Riewoldt addressed the crowd, with each player certain to relish in his new role as skipper.  The Article Vanessa Gigliotti/saints.com.au/19Mar07
Five members of its only premiership team and two modern-day greats were among 13 inductees into St Kilda's Hall of Fame at the MCG last night. The Saints also promoted triple Brownlow medallist Ian Stewart to Legend status at the function. Premiership hero Barry Breen, who kicked the matchwinning point in the 1966 Grand Final, was joined by teammates Kevin "Cowboy" Neale, Alan Morrow, Robert Murray and the late Travis Payze in being rewarded with the Hall of Fame honour. St Kilda's longest-serving captain, Danny Frawley, and star centre half-forward Stewart Loewe were the only two players from the modern era inducted. The Article Scott Gullan/HeraldSun/24Mar07 Pay rise for AFL CEO despite dropping ball on drugs The AFL released their Annual Report yesterday, however, with typical disdain to club and AFL members, the report was not available on the AFL website - all members got was an AAP press release. The release did provide a few important details, most notably, the salary increase of CEO Andrew Demetriou, who is now earning a hefty $1 million per year.  The Locked Article Adam Schwab/crikey.com.au
The full article 'St George' saintsational.com
Six year old Michael Stergiotis came face to face with his Saints heroes on Wednesday, as part of the Make A Wish Foundation program. Saints stars Fraser Gehrig, Aaron Hamill and Nick Riewoldt met Michael at St Kilda's training session yesterday at Linen House Oval, where the youngster was presented with a laptop from Gehrig, on behalf of the Make A Wish grant. The Club donated Michael with a 2007 guernsey and the energetic six year old was in awe of the Saints stars, and showed his delight in having the team sign his jumper. The Article Vanessa Gigliotti/HeraldSun/22Mar07 A new name for Moorabbin Oval The Saints today announced it has renamed Moorabbin Oval to the Linen House Oval. Linen House have been a commercial supporter of the Club for over 14 years. Linen House, Owner and Director Gordon Duncan have been involved with the Club at some level for over 30 years including four years as a board director. With the naming rights of Moorabbin Oval, Linen House has increased their level of sponsorship to become a premium sponsor of the Club (3rd tier level sponsor). Linen House is a fully owned Australian company that produces a vast range of bed linen and accessories. With their head office just around the corner from Moorabbin, Linen House have grown to be a strong international force in the home textile market with offices in England, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong and China. St Kilda Chief Executive Officer, Archie Fraser said that the Club is excited about the re-naming of Moorabbin Oval, with the support from the City of Kingston. "We are really delighted with our association with Linen House and to further strengthen this partnership," said Fraser. The Article Vanessa Gigliotti/saints.com.au/19Mar07
Where's your club at? St Kilda: St Kilda finally opened its pre-season account under new coach Ross Lyon, although a report on new tri-captain Lenny Hayes soured its 11-point win over the Kangaroos. He was reported for making high contact on exciting young Roo Lindsay Thomas. Stephen Milne was among St Kilda's best with four majors, while the competition's oldest player, Robert Harvey, showed that age is yet to weary him. The NAB Challenge match win will have been a timely confidence booster to all concerned. All Clubs Matt Burgan/AFL/saints.com.au/19Mar07
Coach Ross Lyon said he was "impressed" by the performances of several key players returning to action from long-term injuries in Friday's NAB Challenge match against the Kangaroos at MC Labour Park. The Saints' 11-point victory was secondary to the efforts of Lenny Hayes in his first match back from a knee reconstruction and Justin Koschitzke in his first competitive hit-out for the pre-season, as well as Matt Maguire and Leigh Fisher. Hayes was best-afield in the first-half but was reported in the final term for high contact on Kangaroos youngster Lindsay Thomas. "Lenny Hayes was alright, wasn't he? Very impressive," was Lyon's succinct response to questions about his co-captain's match, but he was not prepared to say any more than necessary on the report. "I have confidence in the tribunal process to come to the right decision, whatever that may be." The Article Sportal/saints.com.au/16Mar07
Riewoldt: will he or won't he? Nick Riewoldt, yet to play a pre-season match, is in doubt to play in round one against Melbourne, coach Ross Lyon admitted yesterday. "It will be touch-and-go. He had a little hiccup along the way (and) we are still rehabing him and taking it day by day," Lyon said, before having a bit each way by adding: "I am not overly confident but I think it is a strong chance he will be there round one." While the Saints will have a handful of underdone players in the VFL side Casey Scorpions this weekend, Riewoldt will not be one of them. Fellow captain Lenny Hayes, who impressed last Friday in his first game since last year's knee reconstruction, and Max Hudghton are likely to play while Matt Maguire, Leigh Fisher and Brett Voss are possibilities. The Article Michael Gleeson and Stephen Rielly/TheAgeRealFooty/20Mar07 Hayes, Hodge cleared . . . St Kilda coach Ross Lyon meanwhile was delighted to learn that Hayes - one of three co-captains of the club this year - was free to play in the opening round. "Obviously we were confident in the process and I think they have made the right decision," he said. "You always worry. I think the reality is until the player gets cleared there's always a concern because sometimes there are surprises." The panel ruled Hayes had merely tried to spoil Thomas from marking when he made accidental contact to his face. The Article Paul Gough/Spotal/TheAge/19Mar07 Saints told Hayes is in the clear St Kilda has been told by the AFL that a report against midfielder Lenny Hayes has been thrown out by the match review panel. Hayes was booked for striking the Kangaroos' Lindsay Thomas in a practice game last Friday night, but has been cleared to play against Melbourne in the season-opener on March 30 at the MCG. Saints coach Ross Lyon said he was relieved to have one of his co-captains available. The Article AAP/TheAge/19Mar07
As we all know, its been 10 years since our club has played at the 'G on the last Saturday in September . . . and what a hell of a ride it's been! Why anybody chooses to follow another club is beyond me. It's never been boring down at Linton Street . . .! So as we all look forward to the season which will hopefully culminate in us bringing home the first Cup in 41 years (and to Victoria since 2000) . . . THE PLAYERS: The following 97 men that have represented our Club since 1997 . . . Aaron Fiora, Aaron Hamill, Allan Murray, Andrew McQualter, Andrew Thompson, Austinn Jones, Barry Brooks, Barry Hall, Ben Thompson, Ben Walton, Brad Campbell, Brendon Goddard, Brent Guerra, Brett Cook, Brett Knowles, Brett Moyle, Brett Voss, Cadyn Beetham, Cain Ackland, Chad Davis, Chris Oliver, Craig Callaghan, Damian Monkhorst, Damien Ryan, Daniel Healy, Daniel Wulf, Darryl Wakelin, David Sierakowski, Fergus Watts, Fraser Gehrig, Fred Campbell, Gavin Mitchell, Glen Coghlan, Heath Black, James Begley, James Gowans, James Gwilt, Jamie Shanahan, Jason Blake, Jason Cripps, Jason Gram, Jason Heatley, Jason Traianidis, Jayson Daniels, Joe McLaren, Joel Smith, Justin Koschitzke, Justin Peckett, Justin Plapp, Kristian Bardsley, Lazar Vidovic, Leigh Fisher, Leigh Montagna, Lenny Hayes, Luke Ball, Luke Beveridge, Luke Penny, Mark Gale, Mark McGough, Matthew Capuano, Matthew Carr, Matthew Ferguson, Matthew Lappin, Matthew Maguire, Matthew Young, Max Hudghton, Michael Rix, Nathan Burke, Nick Dal Santo, Nick Riewoldt, Nick Stone, Nicky Winmar, Peter Everitt, Raphael Clarke, Robert Harvey, Robert Neill, Robert Powell, Rod Keogh, Sam Cranage, Sam Fisher, Sam Gilbert, Sean Charles, Shane Wakelin, Stephen Milne, Stephen Powell, Steven Baker, Steven Lawrence, Steven Sziller, Stewart Loewe, Tim Elliott, Tony Brown, Tony Delaney, Tony Francis, Trent Knobel, Troy Gray, Troy Schwarze and Xavier Clarke. THE COACHES: From the 1997 season to this season we have had 5 senior coaches: Stan Alves, Tim Watson, Malcolm Blight, Grant Thomas and Ross Lyon. THE FINALS: We have played 11 finals winning 4 and losing 7 for a ratio of 36.33% Our wins have been against Brisbane, Kangaroos, Sydney and Adelaide Our losses have been against Adelaide, Sydney (2), Melbourne (2), Brisbane and Port Adelaide The following 59 players have played finals (including the year 1997). This is actually 61% of those who have been on our senior list since 1997. 11 Robert Harvey and Andrew Thompson 10 Austinn Jones and Max Hudghton 8 Justin Peckett 6 Steven Baker, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo, Fraser Gehrig, Nick Riewoldt and Brett Voss 5 Jason Blake, Tony Brown, Nathan Burke, Jayson Daniels, Brendon Goddard, Brent Guerra, Lenny Hayes, Jason Heatley, Matthew Lappin, Stewart Loewe, Stephen Milne, Stephen Powell, David Sierakowski, Steven Sziller and Nicky Winmar 4 Brett Cook, Justin Koschitzke, Matthew Maguire and Darryl Wakelin 3 Xavier Clarke, Raphael Clarke, Jason Cripps, Peter Everitt, Rod Keogh, Trent Knobel, Leigh Montagna, Luke Penny, Jamie Shanahan and Matthew Young 2 Cain Ackland, Heath Black, Sam Fisher, James Gwilt, Aaron Hamill, Joe McLaren, Gavin Mitchell and Shane Wakelin 1 Brad Campbell, Matthew Ferguson, Aaron Fiora, Leigh Fisher, Jason Gram, Brett Knowles, Allan Murray, Robert Neill, Michael Rix, Troy Schwarze and Jason Traianidis. The Full Report 'TimeToShineFellas' saintsational.com Roos forward suffers injury - Lenny Reported A potentially serious knee injury to Nathan Thompson will have the Kangaroos anxiously awaiting the results of scans . . . There was good and bad news for the Saints for whom newly appointed co-captain Lenny Hayes, playing his first match back after a knee reconstruction, was in everything early in the match won by the Saints - 10.13 (73) to 9.8 (62). But Hayes was reported in the final quarter by umpire Ray Chamberlain for what appeared to be a high, late spoil on first-year Kangaroos forward Lindsay Thomas. Lining up in the middle at the opening bounce, Hayes gathered seven possessions in the first term and another six in the second and was as hard at the ball as ever. His first touch inside the opening minute demonstrated that he meant business as, rather than get a safe kick away, he took on Daniel Harris and sidestepped him at full pace. The Article Sportal/saints.com.au/16Mar07 St Kilda score practice win over Roos Kangaroos full-forward Nathan Thompson has suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury during his side's AFL practice game loss to St Kilda at MC Labour Park . . . St Kilda midfielder Lenny Hayes impressed in his first game this year after spending most of 2006 on the sidelines after a knee reconstruction, while Stephen Milne booted four goals. However, Hayes' day was soured when he was reported in the last quarter for high contact on Lindsay Thomas, who bombed a goal from the resultant 50-metre penalty. The Article Sportal/16Mar07 Watts Swims For Worthy Cause St Kilda player Fergus Watts participated in the Peter Mac Ocean Swim at St Kilda beach on Labour Day, with the event raising vital funds for cancer research . . . St Kilda's Watts finished an impressive third behind Melbourne's Ben Holland in second place, and Commonwealth Games medallist Daniel Kowalski, who finished first. The Article Vanessa Gigliotti/saints.com.au/16Mar07
St Kilda worries before season: Lyon St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has admitted to concerns before the AFL season, with his players yet to embrace his game plan and forward Nick Riewoldt unlikely to play in round one. Riewoldt, one of the club's three co-captains and its most prized player, has had an injury-interrupted pre-season through a hamstring problem and back soreness and is in doubt for the season-opener against Melbourne at the MCG. Riewoldt did not train with his teammates on Monday and is one of four key players all struggling to play the Demons on March 30. The Article AAP/TheAge/19Mar07 GSP IMAGES Linen House & Monday Training Session
Lyon: The fundamentals are there Lyon oversaw a highly-efficient brand of football in his previous role as Sydney midfield coach under Paul Roos, but 11 days out from making his senior coaching debut with a new team, said the Saints had not yet grasped his model. "We're a little while off yet," he said. "There's some adjustments to be made, particularly on the accountability side of things. On the weekend (in a practice game against the Kangaroos) we played the ball well and attacked it really well. We had over 400 possessions in greasy conditions, so really from where I'm coming from that's a lot of over-possession. So we want to be a bit more direct, but the fundamentals are there." The Article AAP/Ninemsn/20Mar07 GO BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE
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