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Saints Rookie Draft picks St Kilda had three "live" picks in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft after it elevated NSW scholarship holder Khan Haretuku prior to the meeting. Haretuku is a 198cm developing tall. With its three active selections, the Saints claimed competitive medium-sized defender/midfielder Glenn Chivers, speedy Western Australian Luke Miles and also redrafted ball-winner Andrew McQualter. The tenacious McQualter played 23 matches for the Saints before he was delisted before the first list lodgment on October 31. 2008 - ST KILDA LIST DEPTH by 'St.M' saintsational.com
No 8. Glenn Chivers (Oakleigh Chargers/St Kevins) DOB:09Apr89, 189cm, 85kg, No. 24. Luke Miles (Swan Districts/Guildford Grammer) DOB:30Oct86, 191cm, 78kg, No. 39 Andrew McQualter (St Kilda), No. 51. Khan Haretuku (St Kilda Scholarship) DOB:19Oct89, 198cm, 96kg Rookie draft brings Maori heritage The St Kilda Football Club rookie drafted 17 year old Khan Haretuku from Sydney. Haretuku was one of the AFL's NSW Scholarships chosen by St Kilda who has been playing for UNSW/Eastern Suburbs in the Sydney AFL. Haretuku, whose parents are from New Zealand, has Maori heritage and is a solidly built youngster with plenty of raw ability who has a strong rugby background. Haretuku played both rugby league and rugby union, but after being awarded the scholarship declared that he saw his future in AFL. More WorldFootyNews/12Nov07
Chivers/Miles Screen Test Comparisons Beep test: Glenn Chivers (14.3) - J Smouha (15.1), B Whitecross (14.10), and S Selwood (14.7) 20-metre sprints Luke Miles (2.73) - D Gourdis (2.83), C Hinkley (2.88), S Gaertner (2.88) Agility Luke Miles (7.83) - A Joseph (7.91), L Hill (8.05), C Hinkley (8.07) Garnishing players from clubs is considered as AFL plan 17th team ... Gillon McLachlan, the AFL's chief officer for broadcasting and commercial operations, along with the league's general manager, strategy and club support, Andrew Catterall, have been charged with developing the blueprint for the 17th licence for the Gold Coast. While McLachlan said he would not discuss the league's plans to develop the team list, it is believed the league is discussing some controversial methods of delivering a team that can win more matches than it loses ... Each team might be forced to give up one player of quality. Clubs may be required to give a footballer who had experienced more than 50 games but was under the age of 24. This is more likely to ensure players of quality rather than ones that the club cannot wait to delist. Another consideration is to take one uncontracted player from each club. The Kangaroos were offered a lure of being allowed to spend as much as 10 per cent over the salary cap. League officials said yesterday that would most likely be retained, as would draft concessions and the new team would likely be able to cherry-pick the best players in Queensland. Most controversially, though, is the possibility that the 10 best players at the AFL academy be quarantined from any draft and just handed over to the new club. McLachlan's only comment to these suggestions was that the task of providing a competitive new team on the Gold Coast was complicated and delicate. AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the establishment of the new licence meant that the 18th team bound for west Sydney would come sooner rather than later. More Patrick Smith/Theustralian/11Nov07
2007 Academy intake could be best ever AIS/AFL Academy high performance coach Alan McConnell believes the current group of scholarship holders could turn out to be one of the program's best. While still early in these young footballers' development, McConnell - who is in his fourth year overseeing the Academy - has liked what he has seen from the 2007 intake. The AIS/AFL Academy is now in its 11th year and has so far proved the ultimate breeding ground for elite footballing talent. "In our most recent draft 13 of the first 14 boys selected were graduates of the AIS Academy from the last two years," McConnell said. "Currently AFL lists comprise 22 per cent of boys who have at some point been through the AIS AFL Academy, so we're heading towards having had a quarter of AFL lists having been given the opportunity that this program provides and we believe it's fantastic grooming for them to prepare them for what lies ahead. "And even if they [the graduates] don't make AFL football, it's certainly given them the opportunity of a lifetime." This year high-profile ex-players Nathan Buckley and Luke Darcy have joined the coaching panel, adding further impetus to a program that already boasted Michael Voss and Jason McCartney as headline acts. More Ben Broad/saints.com.au/08Nov07
Willits looking for second chance Katrina Gill/AFL/saints.com.au/10Nov07
Final moves for clubs in game of drafts A total of 70 selections are available for clubs to utilise at next Tuesday's NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft and NAB AFL Rookie Draft. All seven clubs with vacancies on their primary list have been granted permission by the AFL to participate in the pre-season draft, after the AFL examined all Total Player Payments estimates for the 2008 season. This means Carlton (selection No.2), Essendon (No.5 and No.8), Fremantle (No.6), Melbourne (No.3), Richmond (No.1), West Coast (No.7) and the Western Bulldogs (No.4) will be able to complete their main lists via the non-compulsory pre-season draft. Nine clubs Adelaide, Brisbane Lions, Collingwood, Geelong, Hawthorn, the Kangaroos, Port Adelaide, St Kilda and Sydney have submitted their final primary lists. These clubs named their final main lists when the third list lodgment was announced on November 30. They will therefore not participate in the pre-season meeting. Clubs can include a maximum of three extra players on their rookie list, provided they are former scholarship list players, international scholarship holders (there are none of these players in this year's pool) or Sydney and Brisbane based players ... The Swans and Lions have the opportunity to list Sydney and Brisbane metropolitan based players respectively before the rookie draft starts. Players must be under the age of 23 years on December 31 to be a rookie and if a player reaches this age after this date, a club can retain him on its rookie list until the end of the season. Clubs can also add one player over the age of 23 years as long as that player has previously not been listed by an AFL club. St Kilda - Primary List: Nil, Rookie List: 4 (No.8, No.24, No.39, No.51 Khan Haretuku) List - All clubs AFL/saints.com.au/07Nov07
Saints not going anywhere: Demetriou The AFL denies it will now try to talk St Kilda into relocating to the Gold Coast, following the Kangaroos' decision to reject a move. The Kangaroos board and fans yesterday backed new chairman James Brayshaw's plan to stay in Melbourne. He also plans to change the club's name back to North Melbourne to rebuild its identity. AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou says a new team is now on the cards for the Gold Coast. "We're not pushing anyone anywhere, let's just put that to bed," he said. "We didn't try to push the Kangaroos there. They were just given an exclusive opportunity and they chose not to accept it. St Kilda, like several other clubs, have indicated they'd like to play some games on the Gold Coast and what we'll be doing now is exploring all those options, which would include the issue of a 17th license." Mr Demetriou says he is confident there are enough AFL fans on the Coast to support a 17th team. More ABCNews/07Nov07
The Gold Rush ... On hard economics alone, the Gold Coast region looks more than ready to support an AFL club. The Gold Coast economy is an economy on steroids: in the past decade, annual gross regional product has more than doubled to $14.2 billion, the regions full-time population is growing at almost three times the national average, rising from 360,000 to 535,000 over the same period, and tourism is booming (10.2 million visitor nights a year compared with 4 million in 1998). There is no comparison between the Gold Coast of the hapless Brisbane Bears days and now. Or, rather, the comparison is absolutely stunning. More than $60 billion worth of construction work is in the pipeline, household incomes have surged to an average of $1272 a week compared with $500 a decade ago and the region has become a base for nearly $7 billion worth of annual exports (largely marine industry goods, food and education) ... The league has 13 full-time staff working in the region, but its real imprint is demonstrated by the growing numbers of players booting a Sherrin throughout the Gold Coast hinterland ... Over the past three years, participation in the region has grown by about 25%, with numbers of people now playing the code touching 6500 (3500 in the Auskick program and the rest in local teams). According to the AFL, the data compares favourably with the rugby codes: 4942 people play rugby league and 2580 union. And although the region is portrayed as a rugby-code stronghold, participation in league and union in the region has grown by just 5% over the same period. The figures are a bit sticky, however, and seemingly conflict with those those bandied about by rugby-code administrators, with the Titans' own website claiming rugby league alone has 11,000 registered juniors in the region. More Simon Mann/RealFooty/08Nov07
Sheedy: Why I'd coach the 17th team Jackie Epstein and Damien Stannard/HeraldSun/09Nov07
New club has Voss thinking Len Johnson/RealFooty/08Nov07
Saints to tune up in Ballarat St Kilda will put the polish on its pre-season in an AFL community camp in Ballarat early next year. The Saints will spend three days in the city - Monday, February 4; Tuesday, February 5; and Wednesday, February 6 - before tackling Richmond in the opening round of the NAB Cup on Friday, February 15. St Kilda has strong ties with Ballarat. The city was the hub of St Kilda's former country recruiting zone, producing a string of stars for the Saints in the 1970s and 1980s. There were none bigger than legendary full forward Tony Lockett and champion full back and long-time captain Danny Frawley. Greg Burns, Jeff Dunne, Mick Malthouse and Val Perovic were among others. St Kilda will have training sessions in Ballarat as well as visiting schools and running an Auskick clinic. The community camp program is entering its sixth year. More BallaratCourier/06Nov07 | Ballarat Community camp schedule Gehrig comeback didn't surprise us: Kosi St Kilda star Justin Koschitzke says the Fraser Gehrig comeback that shocked the football world amazed everyone but his own teammates. Koschitzke, earmarked for the full-forward role in Gehrig's absence, travelled to Europe to visit the recent retiree in the off-season. Up for an early-morning jog, he was amazed to see Gehrig joining in, and quickly realised the G-Train's competitive fires had not been extinguished. Gehrig has returned to play at St Kilda, and while it means Koschitzke will push further afield, he could not be more excited. "I told him when he got backed that I had already cocked my leg in the goalsquare to mark my territory, so he was going to have to push up somewhere, but it's a super result," Koschitzke said. "He was never really sure about his retirement. He went overseas to think about it and we (Matt Maguire, Leigh Montagna and Nick Dal Santo) met him overseas and he jumped on and went for a run with us. We said, 'What are you doing -- you have only been retired for a month, just relax', and you could tell then he was a bit edgy" ... He says with Gehrig back and Steven King and Michael Gardiner set for big seasons, he may well be used as a third tall forward. More Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/07Nov07
Image Kosi joins Millie Whitehead to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation
AFL may limit use of bench The quickening speed of 21st-century football and its physical demands on players has prompted the AFL to consider a pre-season experiment to limit the use of the interchange bench. With a research project into the link between injury and the rapidly growing use of the interchange bench already commissioned, AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson confirmed yesterday that thought is being given to trialling a cap on its use during the 2008 NAB Cup. With evidence showing that the game was 10% quicker in 2007 than in 2006 and a documented increase in the use of the interchange bench of 234% since 2000, Anderson floated the idea of a limit of 15 interchanges per team, per quarter, with the league's football managers. Paradoxically, a suggestion from Sydney to increase the number of interchange players permitted in the NAB Cup, from six to eight, is also likely to be trialled. More Paul Gough/RealFooty/06Nov07
AFL's softly-softly approach to send Pratt quietly into the night Carlton optimists are hoping that all the controversy swirling around its president Richard Pratt will fly away with Qantas. It will not. Not unless a Qantas official found guilty in the recent US price fixing case is president of another AFL club. A quick flick through the AFL media guide would suggest not. That has hardly unsettled Carlton. An official, asked whether Pratt would continue on as president despite his firm Visy being fined $36million for price fixing, said there would be no comment from Pratt. "We are allowing Qantas to do all the talking now," he said. Which is cute but hardly relevant. As long as no guilty Qantas official holds senior office in the AFL system, then comparisons with Pratt's predicament are plainly absurd. The AFL commission is embarrassed by Pratt and his determination to hold on to control of the Blues. While AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick has said the matter has not been formally discussed at the commission table and it is not, for the moment, on the agenda for this month's meeting, the league administration dearly wishes Pratt would disappear. More Patrick Smith/TheAustralian/06Nov07
St Kilda pre-season camp at Ballarat BALLARAT COMMUNITY CAMP SCHEDULE 4TH - 6TH JANUARY Monday 4th 4.00pm Super Clinic at North Ballarat Oval/Austar Arena, 8.30pm - Official Function Ballarat Leagues Club, nibbles and chat, Tickets available soon Tuesday 5th Morning School Visits, 4.30pm Training at North Ballarat Oval/Austar Arena, 7.30pm Community Forum at North Ballarat Sports club. Wednesday 6th Morning Community visits at hospitals etc. 2008 Telstra AFL Community Camp locations - All Clubs: Adelaide - Barossa Valley, Brisbane Lions - Townsville, Carlton - South Africa, Collingwood - South Africa, Essendon - East Gippsland, Fremantle - Albany and South Africa, Geelong - Gold Coast, Hawthorn - Tasmania, Kangaroos - Northern Rivers/Gold Coast, Melbourne - Canberra, Port Adelaide - Whyalla, Richmond - Echuca, St Kilda - Ballarat, Sydney Swans - Greater Sydney, West Coast Eagles - South Africa and Narrogin, Western Bulldogs - Darwin. Thanks to saintbrat for the Ballarat schedule More AFL/saints.com.au/04Dec07
Saints discuss Gold Coast games with AFL St Kilda has held discussions with the AFL about playing games on the Gold Coast if the Kangaroos reject the league's bid for a permanent relocation. The Saints have told AFL officials, including chief executive Andrew Demetriou and his offsider Gillon McLachlan, that they would be willing to play three or four games at Carrara from 2009 and until the league has a team permanently based on the Gold Coast. But sources said that the Saints would only entertain playing games at Carrara - two or three most likely, but four would not be out of the question - on the proviso that they did not have to travel more than six times in the course of a 22-game season. Their proposal is for a mix of home-and-away games at Carrara. St Kilda is mindful that it has been drawn to play outside of Victoria six times in 2008 and does not want that number to increase. The Saints view the Gold Coast as an opportunity to get a better fixture and to maximise their strong supporter base in south-east Queensland. Sources said the AFL was "very positive" about the prospect of St Kilda filling the breach, if the Kangaroos reject the massive financial and draft incentives and opt to remain a wholly Melbourne-based club. The Saints envisaged playing games at Carrara until the AFL had a team permanently based there ... St Kilda's practical advantage over Collingwood is that the Magpies are the most requested "away" team, due to their drawing power, and Victorian clubs are loath to play home games against Collingwood outside of Victoria when they are guaranteed an excellent return in Melbourne. St Kilda also has the game's highest profile ex-Gold Coaster in Nick Riewoldt, who was recruited from the powerhouse club of Southport, the same club that produced his teammate Sam Gilbert. In 2008, the Saints have drawn the Kangaroos at Carrara and will also play the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba. More Jake Niall/RealFooty/04Nov07
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Official 2008 Victorian Football League Senior Fixture The official fixture for the 2008 Victorian Football League Season has been released. The fixture incorporates 20 Home and Away Rounds, 2 Split Round weekends and a full competition bye for the Interstate Representative Match to be played in South Australia on Saturday 31st May. Finals Dates are Qualifying and Eliminations Finals: Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September, Semi Finals: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September, Preliminary Finals: Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September, Grand Final: Friday 26th September VFL SENIOR FIXTURE - BY ROUND vfl.footballvic.com.au
VFL SENIOR FIXTURE - BY CLUB vfl.footballvic.com.au
AFL Announce 2008 Finals Packages The AFL have announced their 2008 Final Series MCG packages. The costs are a little beyond many supporters but it was interesting to note the generosity of the AFL for providing a free Footy Record for those lucky enough to book a ticket. Legends/Hassett/Yarra Park Dining Room Packages - Table of 10 for the four games is $27,500 Medallist/Miller Dining Room Package - Table of 10 for the four games is $26,500. Toyota AFL Grand Final Day Package - Table of 10 in the Hassett/Yarra Park Room is $20,950 or a table of 10 in the Medallist/Barassi Room is $19,950. Elite Suite Package - Table of eight is $19,950. This package includes the four finals series matches at the MCG - a qualifying final, a semi-final, a preliminary final and the Grand Final. Please note that this room does not overlook the ground. More AFL/14Dec07
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