2007 POST-SEASON ARTICLES
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2007 Post-Season - 5


SFF Press Release
Burke and Thompson reject Butterss and Co

PRESS RELEASE - 25th September
from St Kilda Footy First

23rd October meeting stands

Current St Kilda President Rod Butterss and his group continue to try and create confusion in an attempt to delay the Board challenge and the inevitable departure of directors Kellett, Butterss, King, Bassett and Casey. The latest news is current President Rod Butterss' bizarre call for St Kilda Footy First (SKFF) ticket members Nathan Burke and Andrew Thompson to join the current board unopposed. This is a far cry from an early comment by the current President that SKFF had merely included Burke and Thompson on the ticket, lead by Greg Westaway, to gain votes based on emotions of members.

Further, the current President even questioned what skills the talented duo would bring to a board. Today, however, it would appear Butterss has done another backflip and not only endorsed Burke and Thompson but wants the two former players on his side.

Both Burke and Thompson flatly rejected joining Butterss' board and again gave their 100% endorsement to the unified SKFF ticket.

"I am absolutely committed to the St Kilda Footy First ticket, in fact, there has never been any discussion to the contrary," Burke said. "We don't need a hotchpotch of the Butterss five and SKFF members. We need unity. "I can safely say too that Andrew Thompson has never indicated he would entertain being part of the current board and stands firmly behind St Kilda First. A 60 second conversation between Thommo (Andrew Thompson) and the current President last week ended quickly when Thommo said he simply wasn't interested in joining his board. This is simply another tactic to delay the process, confuse the public and leave members without the power of going to a vote." John Gdanski, the current director who issued the Notice of EGM last week, tonight served a legal letter to the Butterss-Five demanding the group confirms the 23 October meeting along with the validity of the proxy and appoints an independent chairperson by midday Thursday 27 September.

Mr Gdanski said his Notice of EGM, served on Tuesday 18 September to the Club and individual directors in both soft and hard copy, was perfectly legal."Mr Butterss need only review Paragraph 12.1(B) of the St Kilda Constitution to see this is a different process from Section 203 (D) of the Corporation Law," he said. 'The Corporation Law process requires 60 days but the method used by me requires 21 days plus 3 days postage'. I did in fact give 35 days instead of the legal 24 to give the current board an extra week preparation time. Mr Butterss himself called on the challenge to be dealt with quickly but since he has been made aware of many proxy forms are mounting in favour of SKFF he has tried to use legal maneuvering to delay the inevitable."

On Monday 24 September, SKFF commenced issuing St Kilda members with the relevant documents for the 23 October meeting to go ahead. Members will receive these in the next few days.



ST KILDA BOARD PRESS RELEASE
Saints meeting still set for November
The St Kilda board will continue to schedule its extraordinary general meeting for the end of November, despite the Greg Westaway-led Football First ticket continuing to push for an earlier date.

Rebel group Football First wants the meeting to be held just over a month earlier on October 23, but the club's president Rod Butterss insists the meeting remains set for November 26.

"I don't know what he's calling for: all I know is that as a director and my fellow directors, we have a legal obligation to make sure that meeting is set down in a proper manner, for all members, not for just half a dozen people who want to throw a board out," Butterss said on SEN on Tuesday. "For all members of the club, and the important thing is that the process is open to all, it is fair, and that our members get the opportunity to understand that this is about safe change versus reckless change. It only takes 12 months of mismanagement to send an AFL club broke, and we've seen that before. As long as we are able to conduct ourselves in the right manner on behalf of all of our members, we will ensure that safe change occurs."

Butterss also extended an invitation to rival ticket members and former St Kilda players Andrew Thompson and Nathan Burke to join the Saints' board, regardless of what occurred in the coming months.
The Article Jennifer Witham/saints.com.au/25Sept07


Saints '97 dream run had a nightmare end

Someone's heart had to break in the 1997 grand final. St Kilda had one premiership in its history, and that by one point 31 years earlier.

Adelaide coach Malcolm Blight had taken his team to a grand final in his first year with the Crows after enduring three losing grand finals in six seasons at Geelong.

All the sentiment - and most of the momentum - was with St Kilda, which had finished top of the ladder and marched into the grand final with authority, disposing of the Brisbane Lions by eight goals to go straight to a preliminary final, then defeating reigning premier North Melbourne by 31 points.

Adelaide, on the other hand, had won its qualifying final easily enough against West Coast before falling in against Geelong (by eight points) in a semi-final and the Western Bulldogs (by just two) in the preliminary.

The Crows' top ruckman, Shaun Rehn, who had survived two knee reconstructions, had been playing in a brace that resembled a golf bag. He had thrown it away at half-time in the preliminary final, only to have Tony Modra, the club's talismanic full-forward and the Coleman medallist, go down in a screaming heap with his own serious knee injury.
The Article Len Johnson/RealFooty/25Sept07


A Year is a long time in Football
by 'CURLY' Saintsational Fan Forum

This time last year the experts were all over Geelongs list and coaches. There list was shown to have that many apparent flaws in it there was no way they could make the eight let alone challenge for the flag. We all heard the following assumptions.

• There midfield was one paced
• Ottens wasn't up to it in the ruck or key fwd
• Steve Johnson was trade bait that no one wanted
• Cam Mooney was a loose cannon and unreliable
• They lacked key fowards
• Kelly would never be back to his best
• King was finished
• Ablett was good but needed to do more
• Bartal and Ling were good honest players but lacked flair
• Varcoe was a waste of a top 10 pick
• Harley and Egan were undersized to go with key forwards
• Hunt wouldnt put his body in

A year later they are the "THE GREATEST SIDE OF ALL TIME" according to some. There list has no holes and have so much depth no one will come close for five years.

What has changed surely the inclusion of Selwood hasnt solved there pace issues or N ABLETT cant be called a key forward how much can be put down to being virtually injury free all season and having a early start to the pre season.

They didnt blood heaps of kids or put games into blokes to have a look at them they picked there best 22 every week. Every year is a new begining and every club will be hoping 3-4 players have seasons out of the box and turn there years around.

Will it be us can get 20 of our best 22 on the park foer a 22 games an d give it a tilt I think we can.
The Post
by 'CURLY' saintsational.com


I want the Saints to feel like being a CLUB again ... by 'saintsRrising'
Saintsational Fan Forum

Is it time to vote FF?
I tend to like to have a reasonable set of facts before deciding on things. we are all different ... but I like to decide on a broader set of factors than just emotion.

So far unfortunately FF have not been overly forthcoming about exactly what they will do when they assume control. This has delayed me, and others from making a final decision.

Footy First promises to spend more, give members more ... and these are well and good, but what does this mean exactly? How can we measure what they promise or will know when they have achieved?

On the other hand the current Board has certainly done many things right, but yes there have been mistakes too. But then who is perfect? Unfortunately for RB the GT stigma will probably tarnish him forevermore ...
The Complete Article
by 'saintsRrising' saintsational.com










Rebels take Saints to court
St Kilda Football Club will be back in the courts next week. Having early this month received a writ from former coach Grant Thomas, the Saints yesterday were told the Federal Court would next Wednesday decide on a matter relating to the timing of an extraordinary general meeting. Footy First, the group seeking to oust Rod Butterss' board, yesterday served the court notice on the club and five directors - Butterss, Ray King, Glen Casey, Mark Kellett and Andrew Bassat. The Federal Court will effectively determine whether the EGM is held on October 23, Footy First's preferred date, or on November 26. The court will also be asked to rule on whether any of the directors served with the notice can chair the EGM. It also emerged yesterday that Footy First had gained 8600 proxies for the election, a figure that effectively gives incumbent directors no hope of surviving the election.
The Article Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/29Sept07

Misson's St Kilda mission
. . . Misson, Sydney's elite performance manager for seven seasons, is expected to sign with the Saints today after considering an offer from Carlton. Misson worked with St Kilda coach Ross Lyon in Sydney when Lyon was an assistant to Paul Roos and in his time established an injury management and prevention record with the Swans that was unparalleled. The club used a league-low number 32 players in its 2005 premiership campaign and just 31 players in 2006. The Swans have not used more than 33 players in any of Roos' first four full seasons as coach. It is understood that St Kilda's football operations manager, Ken Sheldon, received confirmation last night of Misson's decision to join the Saints, who began suffering an unexplained and extraordinary number of soft-tissue injuries as far back as 2002.
The Article Stephen Rielly/RealFooty/28Sept07

David Misson BA Dip Ed
Born May 27, 1967 in New South Wales
Son of Frank Misson, former Aus Test Cricketer and NSW team
Profile: David (Dave) Misson joined the Sydney Swans in October 2000 after spending 1998-2000 as the Fitness Coach with the Australian Cricket team. David competed at National and International level in track and field as a 400m hurdler. From 1994 until 1998 David was the Fitness Coach for the Tennis Australia elite women's program and was a consultant to the Wallabies 1995 world cup campaign while also being contracted by the Waratahs and Brumbies. David also spent six years with the North Sydney Bears Rugby League team as Head Conditioning Coach and has been the Fitness trainer for the NSW Cricket team and Sydney Swifts netball team.
Sydney Conditioning staff list sydneyswans.com.au
Swans fitness guru takes secrets south Jenny McAsey/TheAustralian/15Sept07
David Misson Interview Mark Colvin/ABC/18Feb05 The Transcipt

Maguire deal, Baker next, X soon and no Fev
St Kilda defender Matt Maguire has accepted a two-year deal to stay at the club. Maguire ended the hopes of several rival clubs at a meeting with the Saints before Monday night's Brownlow Medal count. Tagger Steven Baker is close to signing a new contract and Xavier Clarke is expected agree to a one-year deal next week. Chief executive Archie Fraser yesterday said keeping Maguire "really secures the spine that we want,". "We've secured everyone we wanted -- Dal (Nick Dal Santo) and Rooey (Nick Riewoldt) -- and we're working our way through," he said. Fraser said he expected a deal with Baker to be done "any time," Clarke, who turns 24 on Friday, yesterday said: "I've always said I wasn't going anywhere. I've agreed to one year at the moment. Hopefully, I'll be in a position to negotiate mid-season for an extension." Fraser said Carlton full-forward Brendan Fevola was not a club target, with a midfielder and another small forward the priorities. Key fitness staffer Andrew Weller has left the club. Weller, a physiotherapist who helped fill the fitness training breach over summer in the Craig Starcevich-Peter Mulkearns transition, was coming out of contract. Fraser said he would be replaced within a month.
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/26Sept07

The St Kilda board of president-elect Greg Westaway will need to increase club revenue by at least $3 million a year to fund its commitment to provide coach Ross Lyon with one of the game's best-resourced football departments. A day after succeeding Rod Butterss and his four loyal directors, who relinquished control at Moorabbin by resigning as one on Tuesday, Westaway said making available the money required to lift the St Kilda football department into the company of the four highest-spending concerns was a priority. "The message for the players from our point of view as a board is that we'll give them that little bit extra so that they can go the extra mile or extra yard when they need to," Westaway said. "Facilities, support, injury management, well-being, training and things of that nature that we think we can upgrade. I'll have to have a look at exact numbers but we've been very poor in that area. I think we've been 11th in total footy spending and I'd like to get that up to fourth. That will give us a better chance." According to figures contained in the 2006 AFL club survey, the most recent available, this would require an injection of more than $2.2 million. The survey puts St Kilda's total football outlay last year at $11.281 million, which placed the club 11th on the football expenditure ladder. West Coast, the premier of 2006 who paid out the fourth-highest amount in the year, spent $13.554 million.
The Article Stephen Rielly/RealFooty/04Oct07

Darwin footy family rallies for ill father
Darwin's football community is rallying around St Marys premiership hero Xavier Clarke Sr in his fight with cancer. Mr Clarke, 53, the father of St Kilda stars Xavier Jr and Raphael, was diagnosed with cancer this year and is undergoing chemotherapy. St Marys Football Club is hosting a fundraiser at their Marrara clubhouse on Saturday to support the costs of the treatment for their 1971-72 Grand Final hero. Xavier Clarke kicked the winning point in his side's victory over long-time rivals Darwin. His wife Pam said Mr Clarke was cleared of an earlier bout with cancer before further complications arose in July this year. "We're hoping the people of Darwin will support our quest to get our dad and husband over this," Mrs Clarke said. "We've planned a full day, including watching the AFL Grand Final on a big screen and the auction of 13 signed jumpers from AFL and NRL clubs and the Indigenous All-Stars ... Donations can be made at the St Marys clubhouse or by phoning the club on (08) 8927 9900.
The Article Gray Morris/NTNews/26Sept07

Peter Banfield resigned
. . . after being told his position would be advertised.
Casey Scorpions' coach of three seasons Peter Banfield has walked out in anger after the Victorian Football League club decided to advertise his position last week. John Harrison, former chairman of the football executive and father of champion Scorpions midfielder Steven, also quit following the decision. Casey has held discussions with its AFL affiliate St Kilda in recent weeks and together they chose to make the senior coaching post full-time. The club reviews the coaching position annually but had not advertised Banfield's position in his previous two seasons. The Scorpions told Banfield, who led Casey to its first finals appearance in four years this season, that he would be on the short list of candidates if he was interested in applying. But Banfield, 41, declined to go through the interview process and was disappointed he was not offered the job unchallenged. "They either want me to coach or not to coach - I won't be the benchmark for other coaches," the physical education teacher at Aquinas College in Ringwood said. "Honestly, some people forget, as I said to (Scorpions president) John Sharkie, what state the club was in when I took it over. I'm really proud of the work I've done and the opportunities I've given to the players."
The Article Marc McGowan/CranbourneNews/27Sept07
Council debate over St Kilda using Casey Fields Jim Mynard/BerwickNews/27Sept07

Saints advertising for sponsors
The St Kilda Football Club has taken the unusual step of advertising for a sponsor in a major metropolitan newspaper. The club's two major sponsors have not renewed their contracts for next season. In a full page newspaper ad, the club lists TV coverage and a growing national fan base as potential benefits for companies who sign to sponsor the club. Saints Chief Executive Archie Fraser says he is confident he can attract sponsors despite problems in the boardroom. "The running of the club has to continue on regardless of what is happening in the boardroom and the boardroom thing will be resolved," he said. "The point is we don't stop, as executives of the club, running the club, and we are just doing our job to ensure we deliver on major sponsorship," he said.
The Article Sarah Farnsworth/ABCNews/26Sept07

Ex-Saints reject Butterss
Former players Nathan Burke and Andrew Thompson yesterday rejected an invitation to join the St Kilda board. Burke said he and Thompson, who are part of the rival Footy First ticket challenging the board, remained committed to getting a united group into power at the club. They dismissed an approach from president Rod Butterss to have them elected unopposed as simply a bid to offset the groundswell of support for Footy First. "To me it's strange, a tactic I presume," Burke said yesterday. "One good thing is, Rod is at least acknowledging that Andrew Thompson and I would make good board members, probably in a little bit of conflict to what his original opinion was. In some ways it's flattering." Asked if he would consider the offer at all, Burke was blunt. "No, I certainly won't," he said. "The whole way, my premise for doing this was we needed a united board at the Saints and certainly any hodgepodge of half Footy First half incumbent board I don't think would be a united board."
The Article Michael Horan/HeraldSun/26Sept07



St Kilda Brownlow vote tally
Nick Dal Santo 16, Nick Riewoldt 14, Leigh Montagna 9, Lenny Hayes 8, Robert Harvey 7, Fraser Gehrig 6, Luke Ball 3, Xavier Clarke 2, Jason Gram 2, James Gwilt 1.
Roo and competitors: Riewoldt - 14, Pavlich 15, Brown 17, Franklin 5, Lucas 11. Cameron Mooney 1.
Posted by 'saintspremiers' and 'Oh When the Saints' - saintsational.com

BROWNLOW TOP TEN

1st
J Bartell Geel 29
2nd S Black Bris 22
3rd B Harvey Roos 22
4thD Kerr* Eagles 22
5th S Mitchell Hawth 22
6th G Ablett Jnr Geel 20
7th D Swan Coll 20
8th A Goodes* Syd 20
9th S Thomson Adel 18
10th 

 J Brown Bris 17
Bartel's Brownlow
Geelong's season of unsurpassing excellence continued apace last night when midfielder Jimmy Bartel streeted the field to win the Brownlow Medal with so much to spare it did not matter that he missed the last two games because of an appendix operation. Bartel (29 votes) won from the Kangaroos' Brent Harvey, Brisbane's Simon Black and West Coast's Daniel Kerr (all 22). Black, the 2002 winner, was the surprise performer on the night. Kerr, who was ineligible because of suspension, finished in the top three for the third year in a row. Pre-count favourite Gary Ablett finished with 20 votes and bitter-sweet memories: three times, Bartel pipped him for best-on-ground. Bartel, 23, polled three votes in the Cats' round 20 game against the Kangaroos, ensuring no player could catch him. It made for an anti-climactic finish to the gala count, necessitating that AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou rush through the hollow details of the last two rounds to complete the reckoning.
The Article RealFooty/25Sept07

Geelong's Bartel wins Brownlow Medal
Geelong midfielder Jimmy Bartel has won the 2007 Brownlow Medal as the AFL's best and fairest player. Bartel, 23, polled 29 votes despite missing the final two games of the season. Bartel finished seven votes clear of the Brisbane Lions' Simon Black, West Coast's Daniel Kerr and the Kangaroos' Brent Harvey, who were all locked on 22 votes. Bartel's teammate Gary Ablett, the favourite entering the count, polled 20 votes. Bartel is Geelong's fifth Brownlow winner and the first since Paul Couch in 1989, and has the chance to cap his superb season by winning a premiership medal in Saturday's grand final against Port Adelaide. Bartel sealed his victory when he polled three votes in the round 20 game against the Kangaroos, which put him seven votes clear of his nearest challenger. Bartel was presented with his medal by 2006 winner Adam Goodes of Sydney, who also polled 20 votes. One of Geelong's nine All-Australians this season and a star in the midfield, Bartel averaged 27 disposals a game in his 20 home and away matches. He has played 107 games overall and booted 60 goals.
The Article AAP/RealFooty/24Sept07

Brownlow Votes - St Kilda 2007 Matches
ROUND 1:   Melbourne v St Kilda (MCG) 3. L Montagna (StK) 2. X Clarke (StK) 1. * F Gehrig (StK)
ROUND 2:   Brisbane Lions v St Kilda (G) 3. S Black (BL) 2. M Rischitelli (BL) 1. J Brennan (BL)
ROUND 3:   St Kilda v Western Bulldogs (TD) 3. R Harvey (StK) 2. J Gram (StK) 1. N Riewoldt (StK)
ROUND 4:   St Kilda v Essendon (TD) 3. A McPhee (Ess) 2. D Peverill (Ess) 1. B Stanton (Ess)
ROUND 5:   Port Adelaide v St Kilda (A) 3. * S Burgoyne (PA) 2. C Cornes (PA) 1. B Lade (PA)
ROUND 6:   St Kilda v Carlton (TD) 3. N Dal Santo (StK) 2. H Scotland (Ca) 1. L Ball (StK)
ROUND 7:   St Kilda v Sydney (TD) 3. N Riewoldt (StK) 2. R O'Keefe (Syd) 1. J Gwilt (StK)
ROUND 8:   Hawthorn v St Kilda (MCG) 3. S Mitchell (Haw) 2. B McGlynn (Haw) 1. R Harvey (StK)
ROUND 9:   Fremantle v St Kilda (S) 3. P Hasleby (F) 2. P Bell (F) 1. N Riewoldt (StK)
ROUND 10: St Kilda v Geelong (TS) 3. J Bartel (Geel) 2. M Blake (Geel) 1. G Ablett (Geel)
ROUND 11: St Kilda v Kangaroos (TD) 3. C Jones (K) 2. L Montagna (StK) 1. G Archer (K)
ROUND 12: West Coast v St Kilda (S) 3. N Dal Santo (StK) 2. D Cox (WC) 1. R Harvey (StK)
ROUND 13: St Kilda v Richmond (TD) 3. L Montagna (StK) 2. * F Gehrig (StK) 1. R Harvey (Stk)
ROUND 14: Collingwood v St Kilda (MCG) 3. N Dal Santo (StK) 2. D Swan (Co) 1. D Thomas (Co)
ROUND 15: St Kilda v Adelaide (TD) 3. L Hayes (StK) 2. N Riewoldt (StK) 1. R Harvey (StK)
ROUND 16: St Kilda v Hawthorn (TD) 3. N Dal Santo (StK) 2. L Ball (StK) 1. L Hayes (StK)
ROUND 17: Carlton v St Kilda (TD) 3. N Dal Santo (StK) 2. N Riewoldt (StK) 1. A Carrazzo (Ca)
ROUND 18: Western Bulldogs v St Kilda (TD) 3. N Riewoldt (StK) 2. R Murphy (WB) 1. M Boyd (WB)
ROUND 19: Sydney v St Kilda (TD) 3. * A Goodes (Syd) 2. L Hayes (StK) 1. J McVeigh (Syd)
ROUND 20: St Kilda v Fremantle (TD) 3. * F Gehrig (StK) 2. L Hayes (StK) 1. N Dal Santo (StK)
ROUND 21: St Kilda v West Coast (TD) 3. M Priddis (WC) 2. N Riewoldt (StK) 1. B Cousins (WC)
ROUND 22: Richmond v St Kilda (MCG) 3. C Newman (R) 2. K Pettifer (R) 1. L Montagna (Stk)
All 2007 Votes HeraldSun

Night of nights burns bright
Three Brownlow medallists from different decades talk about being in the exclusive Brownlow club. St Kilda rover Ross Smith (1967) won with 24 votes, and later went on to captain, then coach the Saints. He became the AFL's first development manager and now chairs the AFL's research board. "My medal is in an exhibition of sport at the AIS along with other memorabilia. They asked me if I would put my Brownlow there, which I did, along with a Victorian jumper from when I was captain in 1972 and the jumper from the 1966 Grand Final" . . .
Dashing Saints defender Neil Roberts (1958) won his Brownlow three years after finishing third, after a year in which his superb fitness came to the fore. "I was on cloud nine. I was with my father and we were doing the dishes. His radio wasn't working so he went and gave it a couple of bangs and he got it on to the ABC. I thought I had had a reasonable year but I didn't give myself much of a chance and, of course, I was totally unprepared. We sat and listened to the count, and this girl from ABC was sitting outside waiting in the car. I won and she came up the stairs and I gave her an interview. I forgot that I had promised Alf Brown an interview for Channel 7. I went straight to Channel 9 and Alf didn't speak to me for 20 years. He never forgave me for that" . . .
Tony Liberatore (Footscray, 1990) is the only player to have won the Morrish, Gardiner and Brownlow medals. He played only 18 games in the four years before his breakout season . . .
The Article Jon Ralph/HeraldSun/23Sept07

RB and NB press statements Tuesday
Both Media statements were covered by SEN on Tuesday afternoon.
Nathan Burke represented the St Kilda Footy First (SKFF) ticket at their press conference; he said that he had not heard about Andrew Thompson and himself being welcome to join the current board until he heard it on SEN this morning. He said that he wasn't at all interested and that it would be 'unworkable'. He said that he is not saying that he would not be able to work with Rod Butterss but cannot work with the current board. 'I want to stick with my team, I am a team player'. He said that comments from Rod Butterss this morning and that their 'ticket' had sent details of the proposed EGM date for the 23rd October was emailed to the incumbent board and was also sent to them in 'hard copy'. Nathan said that he proposes two options for the incumbent board:
1. They stand aside for SKFF ticket and save any incurring costs of the EGM to the club.
2. Let the process run its course for the EGM on October 23rd October.
Rod Butterss President of the St Kilda board spoke to the press in a brief statement from Moorabbin; he said that the board proposed to have a 'spill' on 24th November and that all board positions be up for re-election and the members can make their choice. He said that the incumbent board recommends that Andrew Thompson and Nathan Burke should be elected unopposed to the board and that 'they have a lot to offer'.
NB: SEN said that they believed that Rod Butterss has contacted Andrew Thompson regarding his offer of him and Nathan to their board room and that Andrew had 'flatly' refused.
(Rough outline from WoM notes and some misunderstandings or errors may have occurred)
More: The Thread 'markinUSA' et al saintsational.com
Email Admin Club's Email address (as requested by WoM visitors)

Ross Lyon on Aaron Hamill
Ross Lyon spoke to SEN on Monday evening at the Brownlow event and said that they have been discussing Aaron's injury issues with him and whether he will be able to play in a way that he would be happy with in the future and there should be announcement within a day or two about the outcome. WoM Ed

Saints re-sign Matt Maguire
St Kilda Football Club has today announced the re-signing of Matt Maguire for a further two years. "I am very pleased to have re-signed with the Saints and am looking forward to continuing my career at the Club" Maguire said. Recruited from South Warrnambool/Geelong U18 in 2001, Maguire played 10 games for the Saints this season and has distinguished himself with his attack on the ball and strong marks.
Press Release: Vanessa Gigliotti/St Kilda FC/25Sept07
Maguire signs for two years Michael Gleeson/RealFooty/26Sept07

A letter to RB from a life long Saints member
Dear Rod, It is time you understood what long term supporters feel about your current stand concerning the challenge to the Board. It is really a protest about you and the way in which you have directed the public position of the Club, particularly over the past 12 months. Our confidence in you specifically has been substantially diminished and we consider that you should respect our views and stop posturing. All the positive actions you initiated in the past will be forgotten until you realise that your time has come. Don't damage the Club any further and move aside quickly and quietly. I have followed the Club since 1945 when I was taken to Fitzroy St at the age of 4 by our former champion Bill Cubbins, and have seen the many troubled times over the years. Listen to the members views and let go the reins. Supporters name withheld

Breen backs Butterss board
Barry Breen, one of St Kilda's legendary figures, has described the challenge to the board of president Rod Butterss as a "Machiavellian manoeuvre" that is needless and certain to perpetuate the image of the club as volatile and unstable. Breen said he was opposed to the hostile takeover proposed by the challengers and warned St Kilda members to be wary of their commitment to greater spending. Breen, who famously kicked the winning behind in the 1966 grand final but later, as a former player in 1984, agreed to forgo more than $50,000 of match payments to help the club from slipping into bankruptcy, felt strongly enough about the looming election to write a private letter of support to Butterss last week. Yesterday, though, he bought into the election by going public with misgivings about what he described as a casual attitude from FootyFirst about the financial realities of the AFL and the sad history of upheaval they were repeating.
The Article Stephen Rielly/RealFooty/26Sept07

Burke, Thompson knock back Saints offer
Former St Kilda players Nathan Burke and Andrew Thompson have rejected an offer from the current board of the troubled AFL club to be elected unopposed. Burke and Thompson are on the Footy First ticket, which is challenging Rod Butterss' board. Two current directors are also part of Footy First, ahead of a election in the next few weeks. The current board and Footy First are in dispute on when an extraordinary general meeting should be held. Butterss issued a media release, acknowledging Footy First's argument that the club needed to invest more money in the St Kilda football department.
The Article AAP/TheAge/25Sept07

Offer 'bit of a tactic', says Burke
Former stars Nathan Burke and Andrew Thompson have resisted an invitation from Rod Butterss to join the club's current board as the Saints president attempts to thwart the challenging Footy First ticket. Burke spoke to the media on Tuesday afternoon after St Kilda president Butterss had released a statement offering them positions as club directors. Realising the duo's significant pull in what appears to be a looming members' vote to decide who will lead the Saints off-field in 2008, Butterss had hoped to woo Burke and Thompson onto his ticket and away from the Greg Westaway-led Footy First group. But Burke said it was too late for such a move, and it was time for a new start at Moorabbin. "The whole way along, my premise for doing this was that we needed a united board at the Saints," he said.
The Article Ben Broad/saints.com.au/25Sept07

Notes from RB SEN interview Tuesday morning:
Rod mentioned electing Burkey and Thommo immediately onto the board. He mentioned trying to ring Greg Westaway - but didn't leave a number because like many he hasn't provided his contacts apart from via the club. Rod also mentioned due process and needing 60 days - Challengers originally gave him 60 days. Rod mentioned needing time to do something in response to the challenging ticket.
Brief precise of Rod interview provided to WOM by independent supporter.
Rod Butterss on SEN Tuesday AM 'saintsRrising' et al saintsational.com

Saints board moves to delay meeting
The St Kilda board last night sought to delay an election that will pit it against a rival ticket. Rod Butterss' board wants to hold an extraordinary general meeting on November 26, about five weeks later than the October 23 date the challengers had nominated. The Footy First ticket has been seeking the removal of five of the seven directors on the board and has received more than 7500 proxy votes supporting its push. Greg Westaway, head of Footy First, said the board's desire to delay a vote would only compound uncertainty at the club. "Leaving St Kilda Football Club with a board that is not united is like leaving a ticking time bomb in the boardroom of Moorabbin," he said.
The Article Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/25Sept07

My hardest decision: Harvey
Dual St Kilda Brownlow Medallist Robert Harvey says his decision to play on next year for his 21st AFL season was the hardest he has had to make in his career. The 36-year-old, speaking less than a week after announcing he would play on for a final season, said plenty of factors had to be considered before deciding to saddle up again in 2008. "It was pretty difficult. It's the most difficult I've had," Harvey said. "Even at the end of last year it was still really up in the air, but my body's been able to hold up, although you've got to take a lot of factors into account - your body and form and more importantly the club's view. I was really wary about what the club thought and if there was any hesitation from their part, I would've retired." Harvey said the retirements of Fraser Gehrig, Andrew Thompson, Brett Voss and Matthew Clarke - and probably Aaron Hamill - did not sway him to remain on at the club to maintain some experience. He was also pleased to be playing another season under Ross Lyon, who will coach St Kilda for his second year in 2008.
The Article Matt Burgan/saints.com.au/25Sept07

Injury forces Hamill to call it a day
St Kilda's veteran forward Aaron Hamill will announce his retirement this week, despite being contracted to play for the Saints in 2008. Hamill, who did not play at senior level this year, is understood to have reached a financial settlement on the final year of his lucrative contract. Hamill, who managed only 21 games in three seasons and was grounded this year by a chronic knee injury, was to be paid about $400,000 next year, having negotiated a four-year contract extension early in 2004. In effect, he was then given a new five-year deal. The Saints have managed to strike a deal with Hamill over the last year of the contract, having brought forward some of next year's contract into this year's player payments, via the injury payments allowance. So Hamill's retirement will save the club some salary cap room in 2008 and should allow them to acquire a player, although the club is still to re-sign key defender Matt Maguire.
The Article Jake Niall/RealFooty/24Sept07

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