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Starcevich stands down Craig Starcevich has resigned as fitness coach at the St. Kilda Football Club, citing family and personal reasons. The 1990 Collingwood premiership forward was appointed as the club's Training Services Manager ahead of the 2006 season after having filled a similar role in Brisbane. St. Kilda chief executive Archie Fraser said: "We fully respect the choice Craig has made to be with his family in Brisbane and the reasons behind his decision to leave the club. Craig has implemented an outstanding core fitness program at the Saints as part of our elite performance group which is headed by Andrew Weller." St. Kilda has already started looking for a suitable replacement and expects to make an appointment in the coming weeks. The Article Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/02Feb07 'Train With The Saints' Winner saints.com.au/02Feb07 • Ken Sheldon spoke on SEN at 2.30pm (02Jan07), he said that the club has been thinking about a replacement for some time just in case Craig didn't return and perhaps the replacemet will have a slighty different role. He said that he wishes Craig all the best and hopes things work out for him. • Rumour is that Steven Tingay is being interviewed. Tingay has worked with Sydney as a member of the club's fitness team after retiring in 2001. He played 162 matches with Melbourne between 1989 and 2000 and was an All-Australian in 1994. Persistent hamstring and hip injuries prematurely finished his time at Melbourne and an attempt to continue playing with Sydney in 2001 did not yield a match. • The Tingay rumour was briefly discussed on SEN later on Friday afternoon (02Jan07), apparently someone phoned Tinglay and he stated that he didn't even know that Craig Starcevich had left St Kilda . . . Ed (02Jan07) From goal square to the box John Barker knows he's lucky. As a newly-appointed assistant coach at St Kilda he was placed in charge of a forward line containing names like Fraser Gehrig, Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke. He's got plenty of raw material at his disposal, but he knows there's plenty of work to do if the Saints are to reach the top of the mountain in 2007. "I've got a little bit of talent to work with in case you hadn't noticed, which is great," Barker says with his trademark grin on a sunny January afternoon at Moorabbin. "Obviously (senior coach) Ross (Lyon) has come in and he's got structures and systems that he's implemented and I'm helping him with that. What I do is basically fulfill the things that he wants implemented." "Things are going well right now and I'm enjoying being here, that's for sure." St Kilda is the fourth club that Barker has been involved with during his 15-year career and he's been struck by the willingness of the playing group to accept a new coaching philosophy . . . "The professionalism across the AFL just keeps increasing and our boys are no different. Obviously from where they've been, they're very keen to do well which is great. St Kilda is very good in the way they move the ball forward and there's only slight bits and pieces that need to be tweaked, so to speak, and that's what we're working on." The Article Sportal/01Feb07 Nick Riewoldt Official Reports 24 year old Saints forward Nick Riewoldt today strained a hamstring late in the Club's training session at Moorabbin. He will undergo scans on Thursday and the full extent of the injury will be assessed once the scans have been conducted. The Report St Kilda Football Club/saints.com.au/31Jan07 Scan confirms strain Sportal/saints.com.au/01Jan07 Riewoldt Injury Update St Kilda Football Club/saints.com.au/01Jan07 Saints $11 chance for NAB Cup . . . The Bulldogs have been installed as favourites (for the NAB Cup), at $5.50, to win their first pre-season grand final since 1970, when they were led by coach Ted Whitten to a two-point win over Melbourne. The Dogs have not competed in a night grand final since. (Sportsbook's Norm) Short said St Kilda, an $11 chance, would have been much shorter and probably vying for favouritism had the Saints not had so many good players in doubt because of injuries or on long-term rehabilitation. But St Kilda received some good news yesterday when star centre half-forward Nick Riewoldt was cleared of serious damage to the left hamstring he injured at training at Moorabbin on Wednesday. Riewoldt was thought to have torn the hamstring, but scans yesterday revealed he has just a grade-one strain. That prompted general manager of football operations Ken Sheldon to be optimistic of Riewoldt playing in the NAB Cup. "It was certainly good news for us because the scans showed Nick has minimal damage to his hamstring," Sheldon said. "There is a possibility of him playing first-up against Brisbane in Cairns, but I can assure everyone that we won't be taking any risks with him.". The Article Greg Denham/TheAustralian/02Feb07 Sore Nick Reiwoldt's routine to change St Kilda fans can breathe a sigh of relief after scans on key forward Nick Riewoldt's injured hamstring revealed only minor damage. The former captain and three-time club best-and-fairest strained his left hamstring while diving forward in a marking contest at training on Wednesday. Scans yesterday revealed a grade one strain. Riewoldt said after the injury coach Ross Lyon had told him to consider putting an end to his diving marks at training. "Ross had a bit of a word to me after training yesterday and said maybe get rid of the diving," Riewoldt said. "It's instinctive, but it hasn't really fared too well so far, so I might have to give it a miss." The Article Gareth Trickey/HeraldSun/02Feb07 Pay TV strikes a deal on AFL An end is in sight to the year-long tussle between pay-TV providers Foxtel and Austar and AFL rights holders the Seven and Ten networks. An announcement that Foxtel and Austar will show four live games each week is expected by the end of next week. It is understood the parties have agreed on price, and all that remains before an announcement is some work to tidy up detailed and complex scheduling arrangements. Both sides in the often acrimonious negotiations have come under mounting pressure in recent weeks to reach an agreement. The Ten network has been desperate to remove the overhang of substantial annual losses on its AFL contract from the information memorandum being circulated for its possible sale, and Foxtel has come under renewed pressure from the AFL not to desert the code it so enthusiastically adopted in 2001 . . . None of the parties involved in the negotiations would comment yesterday. The Article Mark Day/TheAustralian/01Feb06 'No prospect' of charges: Bowers Breaking his silence after four former and current Brisbane players were interviewed by police, Lions chief executive Michael Bowers today said there was "no prospect" of charges being laid against some of the AFL club's biggest stars over a Melbourne hotel brawl. Brownlow medallist and Lions midfielder Simon Black, recently retired three-time premiership captain Michael Voss and former teammate Craig McRae as well as ex-Lion and current assistant coach Craig Lambert were interviewed by Victorian police in Brisbane yesterday. They were questioned for several hours at the Fortitude Valley police station regarding a fracas at St Kilda's Prince of Wales Hotel during AFL grand final week last September that left one man unconscious. Police said St Kilda star Fraser Gehrig and former Saints teammate Steve Lawrence were also present on the night. Gehrig and Lawrence have already been questioned over the incident. No charges have been laid over the incident - and Bowers believed that's how it would remain. "There's no indication of any charges. The lawyer for our players says there are no charges being laid and sees no prospect of being laid," he said. The Article AAP/TheAgeRealFooty/01Feb07 Thigh anxiety: Riewoldt injured St Kilda's chances of winning the pre-season NAB Cup competition took a dive yesterday when centre half-forward Nick Riewoldt appeared to tear his hamstring during a training drill at Moorabbin. In the mysterious absence over the past couple of weeks of training services manager Craig Starcevich, the Saints on Monday lost Robert Harvey to a torn calf at training. He is likely to miss the bulk of the pre-season practice games. Riewoldt, a three-time best-and-fairest winner, pulled up quickly yesterday after taking a mark low to the ground. The 24-year-old went to ground, clutching his left leg and screaming in obvious pain. The Article Greg Denham/TheAustralian/01Feb07 Riewoldt injury rocks Saints The club described the injury as a strain. "He will undergo scans on Thursday and the full extent of the injury will be assessed once the scans have been conducted," a club statement said. Saints football manager Ken Sheldon said: "Nick received immediate medical treatment and when it settles, we will proceed through the normal medical recovery. It's not expected to be anything abnormal, (but) we don't know the extent of the problem" . . . Given the nature of hamstring injuries, he will be sidelined for at least a fortnight. The Article Roger Vaughan/AAP/TheAgeRealFooty/01Feb07 Riewoldt injured St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt appears to be in doubt for the club's NAB Cup campaign after injuring his hamstring at training on Wednesday. The three-time best and fairest, also a chance to be named as skipper for 2007, suffered the injury during a full-ground drill at Moorabbin, when taking a mark low to the ground after a pass from new recruit Shane Birss. The 24-year-old went to ground immediately, clutching his left leg and yelling in pain. Clearly injured, he then left the ground and headed straight to the dressing room. The Article Jason Phelan/Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/31Jan07 Riewoldt injured Sportal/31Jan07 Injury puts Riewoldt in doubt St Kilda forward Nick Riewoldt may be in doubt for the start of the club's NAB Cup campaign after injuring his hamstring at training today. The 24-year-old, who is a strong chance to be named as the club's skipper for 2007, injured his left hamstring and will undergo scans to assess the severity of the injury. A three-time best-and-fairest winner, Riewoldt is now in some doubt for the club's NAB Cup opener against the Brisbane Lions at Cazaly Stadium in Cairns on 24 February. The Article Scott Spits/TheAge/31Jan07 Riewoldt limps from St Kilda's training Key forward Nick Riewoldt threw a scare into St Kilda's AFL pre-season when he hobbled off Moorabbin Oval. The two-time All Australian was chasing a contested ball near the end of Wednesday morning's training session when he suddenly pulled up. Riewoldt clutched at his left hamstring and cursed loudly as trainers helped him from the field. Riewoldt will undergo scans later on Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury. The Article AAP/SydneyMorningHerald/31Jan07
Intra Club Match Planned The Intra Club Match is planned to be held at Moorabbin Oval on Friday 16th February at 5.00pm, but subject to change. Intra club game thread 'mcadam05' et al saintsational.com Saints Community Forum Local football and sports club administrators and volunteers can hear from the St Kilda Football Club at the Football Forum to be held at Mornington Secondary College, 1051 Nepean Hwy, Mornington on Wednesday, 7th February at 7.30pm. The Forum will give all associated with football a great insight into the AFL's latest techniques and best practice. The following forums will be hosted by St Kilda: Coaching Forum, Trainers' Forum, Administrator's Forum, Youth Forum, NAB AFL Auskick Superclinic. Full Details saints.com.au/29Jan06 Family Day The 2007 St Kilda Family Day will be on Sunday 18th March from 11am - 2pm at Moorabbin Oval. The day's activities include rides, guernesy presentation and a clinic for the kids. Memberships and merchandise will be on sale. Thommo on SEN with Mark Doran 'joffaboy' et al saintsational.com Barker relishes coaching role with the Saints After managing only 13 senior games with Hawthorn through 2005-06 because of persistent injuries, the key forward knew it was time to give his body a rest and try something else. But he wanted to stay involved in football, so he approached new St Kilda coach Ross Lyon during trade week and within days underwent a job interview. Now Barker has made a seamless transition from AFL player to forward line coach, managing one of the most potent attacks in the league . . . "Frase and Rooey have been great, they're very smart forwards and I'm privileged to be working alongside those guys" he said . . . "The players here are professional, they have the right attitude and they're keen to head in the right direction." The Article AAP/TheAgeRealFooty/31Jan07 CEO and Fitness Coach Rumour dispelled The rumour that Archie Fraser, St Kilda's CEO and Craig Starcevich, St Kilda's Elite Performance Manager are no longer at the club has been dispelled. Archie Fraser said on radio on Friday that it was just a silly rumour and that Craig Starcevich is very much part of the action. The rumour gathered some momentum because Craig Starcevich hasn't been cited at any training sessions so far this year. A new (acting) CEO? 'parky' et al saintsational.com Scorpions and Saints ready to sting The St Kilda Saints Football Club joined its Victorian Football League affiliate the Casey Scorpions for a training session and breakfast at the Brighton Baths on Saturday. "The training session was beneficial for both clubs as it was basically an introduction to kick off the season," St Kilda development coach Danny Sexton said. Saints general manager of football development Tony Elshaug and Scorpions coach Peter Banfield addressed the teams as part of the session. "Both playing groups mingled and joined each other in skills and training sessions as they prepare for the 2007 VFL/AFL seasons," Sexton said. The Saints open the 2007 AFL season on Friday, 30 March against the Melbourne Demons at the MCG, while the Scorpions' season kicks off the following week on Sunday, 8 April against North Ballarat at Austar Arena. The Article BurwickStarNews/01Feb07 Michael Voss to farewell fans at Saints match . . . Voss played his final game for the Lions at the Gabba last September against St Kilda - but missed the chance to say goodbye to the Brisbane faithful because he hadn't as yet decided whether to hang up his boots . . . He will be paraded around the Gabba before the Lions' round two showdown with the Saints on April 5 . . . Meanwhile, three-time premiers the Lions begin life without Voss against St Kilda in their NAB Cup pre-season opener at Cairns on February 24. The Article AAP/SydneyMorningHerald/25Jan06 Clarke To Play For Indigenous All Stars St Kilda's Xavier Clarke has been selected to participate in the AFL Indigenous All Stars v Essendon Bombers on Friday, 9th February at TIO Stadium, Darwin at 7pm. Clarke will be representing the Indigenous side alongside a squad of 30 players. The Indigenous All Stars will train at TIO Stadium on Thursday, 8th February at 7pm. Xavier's brother, Raphael will miss the match due to a back injury. The Article saints.com.au/24Jan07 x . . . is this a good thing or not . . . 'stinger' et al saintsational.com All Stars name squad of 30 Chance Bateman (Hawthorn), Eddie Betts (Carlton), Peter Burgoyne (Port Adelaide), Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide), Xavier Clarke (St Kilda), Troy Cook (Fremantle), Aaron Davey (Melbourne), Chris Egan (Collingwood), Jeff Farmer (Fremantle), Lance Franklin (Hawthorn), Adam Goodes (Sydney), Antoni Grover (Fremantle), Rodger Hayden (Fremantle), Des Headland (Fremantle), Graham Johncock (Adelaide), Chris Johnson (Brisbane), Andrew Krakouer (Richmond), Andrew Lovett (Essendon), Nathan Lovett-Murray (Essendon), Andrew McLeod (Adelaide), Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide), Michael O'Loughlin (Sydney), Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide), Byron Pickett (Melbourne), Patrick Ryder (Essendon), Matthew Stokes (Geelong), Richard Tambling (Richmond), Darryl White (Southern Districts), Mark Williams (Hawthorn), David Wirrpanda (West Coast). Full Details Sportal/AFL/saints.com.au/02Feb07 All-Stars vs Essendon game live on ABC2 Sportal/ABC/saints.com.au/01Jan07 Raphael in doubt with back injury St Kilda believes talented defender Raphael Clarke may miss the first half of the season with an ongoing back complaint. Clarke is progressing steadily after an epidural on his troublesome back, but will not be close to playing St Kilda's first home-and-away match on March 30. Rated as one of the most talented players to emerge from the Northern Territory, he has had a wretched run with injury . . . While St Kilda's main squad has been subjected to a rigorous training program, the recovery squad has been treated with caution. Aaron Hamill (knee), Max Hudghton (groin), Lenny Hayes (knee) and Fergus Watts (ankle) are recovering as planned, but the Saints are taking no chances with Matt Maguire (broken leg) and Clarke. St Kilda football manager Ken Sheldon said Clarke had been unable to shake off the back complaint which had not needed surgery. The Article Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/21Jan07 Pain for Saint Raphael Clarke "It's in my lower back and it looks like I'll be a late starter again," Clarke said. "I've had a bit of work done on it and I'm in rehab now in a bid to get it right." St Kilda opens its premiership season on March 30 against Melbourne at the MCG, but Clarke is expected to miss the first half of the season . . . A string of hamstring, knee, calf and even achilles problems have short-circuited his plans to become a regular senior player. However Clarke remains optimistic he can play a part in St Kilda's bid for an elusive flag. "It's just another injury to get over," he said. "If all goes well I'll be back around May or June, even sooner if I can make it." The Article Grey Morris/HeraldSun/24Jan07 Clarke's ready to ruck and roll New Saint Matthew Clarke says he is ready and willing to stake a place in the ruck showdown brought about by St Kilda's new-found love of the tallest timber. The former Brisbane and Adelaide ruckman has completed his first month of pre-season training at Moorabbin and said he was is in excellent shape. While pure tap ruckmen were regarded with a level of disdain by former coach Grant Thomas, new coach Ross Lyon has a very different mindset. St Kilda has a battery of ruckmen that includes Clarke, former Eagle Michael Gardiner, Barry Brooks, Matthew Rix, Justin Koschitzke and Jason Blake. This year Koschitzke is likely to be settled down at centre half-back, but Clarke said the competition for spots was sure to be furious. The Article Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/21Jan07 TV's AFL rights saga still unresolved . . . the ongoing circus surrounding the AFL television rights as Channels Seven and Ten continue to haggle with Foxtel and limp towards an agreement that surely will mean the pay TV station telecasts four matches a round. The latest tittle-tattle would have us believe the most recent meeting of the parties broke down almost before it had started when some officials walked out alleging one network head honcho had over-imbibed during a long lunch and, according to them, was in no state to negotiate . . . The Article Geoff McClure/TheAge/30Jan07 Saints and Scorpions Train Together St Kilda's VFL aligned Club, the Casey Scorpions participated in a joint training session and breakfast with the Saints squad on Saturday, at the Brighton Baths. "The training session was beneficial for both Clubs as it was basically an introduction to kick off the season" said Development Coach, Danny Sexton. St Kilda's Tony Elshaug, General Manager Football Development and Scorpions Coach Peter Banfield addressed the teams as part of the session. The Article Vanessa Gigliotti/saints.com.au/29Jan07 Saints to shake up midfield St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has declared all positions vacant as the Saints rebuild their midfield after recent retirements and injury setbacks. St Kilda's onball unit, Once regarded as the most potent in the AFL, will be without Stephen Powell and Justin Peckett this year, with Robert Harvey and Andrew Thompson each set to play their last season. But Lyon, highly regarded for his work with Sydney's midfield, is confident of St Kilda's onball stocks, with Brendon Goddard and Leigh Montagna likely to be the main beneficiaries of extra opportunities. Montagna said yesterday that Lyon had challenged the young and fringe players to step up and take on lead roles to compete with West Coast and Sydney's crack midfield squads. "We have got some retirements and a couple of the older blokes are on their way out slowly, so we need the younger guys to step up like myself, Brendon Goddard, Aaron Fiora and Jason Gram and those sort of guys," he said. The Article Jon Ralph/TheAustralian/28Jan07 Southport Sharks Visit The Saints Southport Sharks Football Club's Senior Coach Craig Crowley and Football Manager Jason Cotter, today visited the Saints at Moorabbin and watched the team train. Both Craig and Jason have been in Melbourne to observe the procedures and processes of AFL clubs. "We have been to a few other clubs and we basically look at how these clubs work, in order to improve our own processes at Southport" said Jason. The Article Vanessa Gigliotti/saints.com.au/24Jan07 Membership Tally Reaches 18,700 The Club is now back in the swing of things after the break and absolutely pumped about the 2007 season. St Kilda's membership tally is currently at 18,700 and rising. We are processing all of the Reserved Seat changes, and hope that this will be finished in the next two weeks and be in the mail early February. Fulfilment packs will consist of your Player Calendar (if you joined before 24th December, 2006), an official Saints Member car sticker, any upgrades such as Social Club medallions, kid's packs and any optional extras you may have purchased. The Article saints.com.au/18Jan06 GO BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||