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Round 9 AFL 2007 Premiership Season - Pre-game Articles - Frmantle Dockers versus St Kilda
Riewoldt, Ball, Koschitzke, Goddard. St Kilda has had its fair share of first-round draft picks in recent years. But the two most important players on the list right now are a No. 27 selection from 1998 and a guy traded to Brisbane for pick No. 23: Steven Baker and Jason Gram. Coach Ross Lyon has received a battering for the way St Kilda set up against Hawthorn last Saturday, but much of the football industry knows why he did it. And that's because Lyon knows - although he would never admit it publicly - his list is critically flawed. The Saints' disastrous injury run, of course, hasn't helped, and among the outs last weekend were those two key players: Baker and Gram. Gram is not the best player at Moorabbin, but in terms of the mechanics of how the team plays, he is the most important. The Article Dermott Brereton/HeraldSun/25May07 Fisher promises fans more goals Going to Perth is geographically as far as St Kilda could go in the AFL world to escape the brouhaha from last weekend's ugly game against Hawthorn. But the Saints' performance tonight against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval might do most to distance them from the loss to the Hawks in a game heavily criticised for the defensive tactics that killed it as a spectacle. "I'm pretty sure you'll see a few more goals from us tomorrow night," St Kilda's Leigh Fisher said from Perth yesterday. "Traditionally, we've been a high-scoring team and we've got the forwards to do that, and we've got to get the ball to them. We want to get the ball to them. That's our strength and last week we didn't really help ourselves in that regard" . . . "I'm basically feeling good," Fisher said. "I've played all the games, which has been a bonus. I missed almost all of 2004 and 2005 and played a bit last year. I just had to stick it out." As he overcame the hamstring injuries, Fisher underwent a regimen of stretching, pilates and yoga among other things, including cycling, which is his favourite pastime when football is off the menu. The Article Grantley Bernard/HeraldSun/25May07 Freo won't shave Farmer suspension Jeff Farmer is set to end his exile from Fremantle next week, and while the club has left the door slightly ajar for an early return from its suspension, it remains unlikely that the Dockers' six-week penalty will be reduced. Fremantle's senior officials will meet with Farmer and his management on Monday, and the club has indicated he will be allowed to resume training next week, ending the enforced absence that has resulted in him training at South Fremantle. Fremantle chairman Rick Hart said last night that while it was "not impossible" that Farmer could return to the team earlier than his six-week suspension - imposed by the club after an incident at a Perth nightclub - the board had not even considered curtailing his suspension. Farmer is not due back until after the mid-season break. Fremantle football operations manager Robert Shaw, who will attend Monday's meeting with Farmer and his manager, Hart and chief executive Cameron Schwab, said it was "common sense" that Farmer be allowed to resume training next week. The Article Jake Niall/RealFooty/25May07 All-clear on Saints' changes St Kilda will not be sanctioned for making four changes to its line-up before Saturday night's game against Hawthorn. AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said the Saints had not broken any rules as they had informed the league of two of those changes 24 hours before the game, while the other two were within guidelines. After submitting its team on Thursday night, St Kilda informed the AFL and Hawthorn on Friday that Matthew Clarke and Clinton Jones were out and two emergencies had been added. However, on Saturday night when the team sheets were produced, the Saints had also left out key players Xavier Clarke and Jason Gram. "Under the AFL rules you are allowed to have 22 players with three emergencies and you have until 45 minutes before the match to finalise your team," Keane said. "If they had taken any player from outside the 25 then they would have been fined" . . . Punters have argued that the Saints should have also come clean about Xavier Clarke and Gram earlier than 45 minutes before the bounce. However according to the AFL, clubs are within their rights to do whatever they like with their squad of 25. The Article Scott Gullan/HeraldSun/24May07
Contesting drills at training yesterday moved St Kilda co-captain Lenny Hayes closer to a recall for tomorrow night's game against Fremantle. Hayes showed no discomfort when he tested the repaired right collarbone by being bumped and tackled by teammates during training at Subiaco yesterday afternoon. Barring complications overnight, Hayes is expected to be named in the team to play the Dockers for an earlier-than-expected return . . . Nick Riewoldt, Nick Dal Santo and Fraser Gehrig, along with Justin Koschitzke, left Subiaco before the end of training to complete the workout on stationary bikes. But Sheldon said the trio, who had precautionary scans during the week, were certain starters. Sheldon said St Kilda's late afternoon training run last Friday, which finished after the AFL deadline for finalised teams, was the reason injuries to Jason Gram (hamstring) and Xavier Clarke (calf) were not revealed until just before the game the following night. The Article Bruce Matthews/HeraldSun/24May07 Carr out, Hasleby in It's a case of easy come easy go for Fremantle,with the Dockers set to welcome back midfielder Paul Hasleby to replace the suspended Josh Carr ahead of Friday night's clash against St Kilda at Subiaco Oval. Hasleby missed last week's 25-point loss to Geelong with a back injury but trained fully on Tuesday and is expected to line-up against the Saints. However, the gain will be offset by the loss of Carr, who received a one-match ban for striking Geelong's Steve Johnson. "It's disappointing obviously that Josh is not available," coach Chris Connolly said. "We really thought he would not miss a game with the evidence we had at hand, but obviously the tribunal saw differently." Connolly said he was contemplating making further changes to the squad that lost to the Cats, but said Des Headland was a certainty to retain his position in the side despite his recent lean trot. "He was disappointed with his game on the weekend like a lot of other players and will be looking to bounce back this Friday night," Connolly said. "He was the difference against Hawthorn. I think his form this year has been quite good. We have to be careful that with the disappointment of not having enough wins that we don't throw the baby and the bathwater out as we try to get better. We've just got to move the ball better as a team and that's been our major focus." The Article Justin Chadwick/Sportal/24May07 Saints march into Perth early St Kilda's early arrival in Perth ahead of Friday's Subiaco showdown with Fremantle looks set to be complimented by the early return from injury of co-captain Lenny Hayes and ruckman Matthew Clarke. After weeks of seemingly endless injury woes for coach Ross Lyon, the sight of Hayes touching down in WA on Tuesday evening was as welcome to his coach as the handful of Saints fans who turned up to see it. And with Clarke on the plane and possibly on the teamsheet to shoulder the ruck burden against Dockers giant Aaron Sandilands, Lyon was finally able to talk about players he was getting back rather than those he had lost. "Everyone that is available (is here). I think it is about 25 or 26," Lyon said. "It has been a little bit of a rough run, but everyone has those and we are working through that. We are confident Lenny will play and Matthew Clarke, and Steven Baker comes off suspension" The Article AAP/TheAge/23May07 Saints follow Swans' plans RealFooty/24May07 Key players to return: Lyon . . . After the two forwards both retired early from training, Gehrig limping slightly, Hayes was still working with no apparent restriction in movement just a month after breaking his collarbone. He, along with the rest of the Saints players, arrived three days out for the crucial Freo clash after Lyon borrowed from his former club Sydney's blueprint for tackling the trip west. "It is based on ... what I experienced last year with the Swans, with the two qualifying finals," Lyon said. "We came over in this type of time frame, settled the legs and settled the players in and had an opportunity to train on the ground. We had reasonable results, ran well. As a club St Kilda have not got a great record over here ... so we just thought we would try a different method" . . . But Lyon said while many close observers of Freo considered them under huge pressure, he saw a different perspective. "I don't know how vulnerable they are. They are a club that has got a lot of talent, they have won their last two home games," he said "They are a team that has got the dominant ruckman in the competition, elite midfielders and elite forwards in Chris Tarrant and Matthew Pavlich." The Article Tim Clarke/AAP/AFL/saints.com.au/23May07 Farmer back for Indigenous Round As the AFL launched their celebration of the influence of indigenous players on the game, one of its best, Jeff Farmer, was reunited with Fremantle - albeit briefly and a little late. Farmer is still suspended from the Dockers following last month's nightclub brawl and subsequent assault conviction, which prompted his club to suspend him until round 13 at least. But with this round dedicated to indigenous players, and the role football plays in their community, the only aboriginal player to have kicked over 400 goals was welcomed back into the fold - even though he won't be playing anywhere this weekend. Farmer and seven indigenous Dockers teammates - the most ever to be listed at one time at a single AFL club - attended the launch at Perth's Kings Park, although traffic congestion meant Farmer's late arrival ensured no-one could miss his entrance. The Article AAP/TheAge/23May07 Indigenous round a good fit for Freo Mic Cullen/AFL/saints.com.au/23May07
St Kilda co-captain Lenny Hayes is poised to make a shock return only a month after suffering a broken collarbone. Hayes was a late addition to the Saints squad and flew out for Perth yesterday to prepare for Friday night's clash against Fremantle. As late as Monday, St Kilda still believed the key midfielder would miss another 2-3 weeks. However, Hayes put up his hand for what looms as a season-defining road trip. "Lenny came to us and said, 'I reckon it's right'," St Kilda football manager Ken Sheldon said from Perth last night. "We've done tests, seen the specialists and they are confident he will be all right." The Saints will test Hayes' collarbone in their training session at Subiaco Oval today. The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/23May07 Captain's column: Lenny Hayes . . . We haven't had a lot of luck with injuries in the past three or four years, whether it's been soft-tissue or collision setbacks. Unfortunately, the calibre of players we have lost through injury has been significant. On the flip side, it does give young guys an opportunity. We've just got to stick tight as a club, but we'll get through this period and there is still a long way to go in the season, so hopefully leading into the break and after the mid-season rest, we'll gain most of these players back. Personally, my injury has been frustrating, after spending 10 months recovery on the knee. I was just starting to feel as though I was playing some okay football and feeling comfortable out on the field, but then this injury popped up. However it's just another thing that I have to rehabilitate and get right, so it's been mentally challenging rather than physically challenging. I'll train when we get to Perth ahead of this week's game, and hopefully I'll get the all-clear and play against Fremantle. The Article Lenn6y Hayes/saints.com.au/23May07 Lenny, M Clarke and Watts in . . . Although the Saints' defence has been crippled by injury, the side is likely to include its A-grade midfield trio of Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo and Hayes. Dal Santo has been hampered by hamstring soreness and had scans on a foot injury on Monday, but looks a certain starter. Nick Riewoldt is believed to have suffered a hamstring scare late in the loss to Hawthorn on Saturday night, but he has been declared fit after precautionary scans . . . Jason Gram (hamstring) did not make the flight and will not play. The Saints' other most recent soft-tissue victim, Xavier Clarke, will probably miss another two weeks. Ruckman Matthew Clarke flew out yesterday, pointing to his certain return from a calf problem. The Saints also included the near-forgotten Fergus Watts in the squad. Watts has played just one game for the Saints since being traded by Adelaide at the end of 2005. Promoted rookie Clinton Jones also flew out yesterday, but only to catch up with family and friends in Perth. Jones will miss up to six weeks with a collarbone injury. The Article Mark Stevens/FoxSports/23May07 Stop the silly name games St Kilda should be brought to account for Saturday night. For events before and after rather than during the game. The Saints named Jason Gram and Xavier Clarke in their final 22 to play Hawthorn in the knowledge neither would play. When it came time to account for the late withdrawals, officials said both had been hit by a virus. It was yet another example of the absolute disdain of certain clubs for the media and, by extension, supporters, punters and tipsters. The public. Neither of those players will play against Fremantle on Friday night. How, then, was either any chance to play last Saturday night? Gram has a hamstring-lower back strain and Clarke a calf strain. Hawthorn knew that was the case before the game, as did most football writers. The AFL should hit St Kilda where it hurts most. With a "please explain" and, when no satisfactory explanation is produced -- because there isn't one, a $10,000 fine. The Article Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/23May07 Roos advises senior journos to quit Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos has lashed out at senior AFL media figures, saying some of them should quit because they no longer understand the game. The premiership-winning mentor's comments follow the ongoing fallout from the poor spectacle that last Saturday night's Hawthorn-St Kilda match degenerated into at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. "You have to recognise when your time is up and I think there are some people in the media whose time is up," Roos said . . . He also went into bat for close friend and St Kilda coach Ross Lyon, an assistant with Sydney before moving south in the off-season. "I can't believe Rossy would be criticised when half his team is out," he said. "I defy any of us that are coaching at the moment to have nine of you best 18 out of the team and to try and win a game of football. To be 4-4 quite frankly is as good an effort as has happened in football this season." The Article AAP/FoxSports/23May07 Roos tells AFL media figures to move on AAP/BrisbaneTimes/23May07  Roos Interview FoxSports
Saints march into Perth early St Kilda's early arrival in Perth ahead of Friday's Subiaco showdown with Fremantle looks set to be complimented by the early return from injury of co-captain Lenny Hayes and ruckman Matthew Clarke. After weeks of seemingly endless injury woes for coach Ross Lyon, the sight of Hayes touching down in WA on Tuesday evening was as welcome to his coach as the handful of Saints fans who turned up to see it. And with Clarke on the plane and possibly on the teamsheet to shoulder the ruck burden against Dockers giant Aaron Sandilands, Lyon was finally able to talk about players he was getting back rather than those he had lost. "Everyone that is available (is here). I think it is about 25 or 26," Lyon said. "It has been a little bit of a rough run, but everyone has those and we are working through that. We are confident Lenny will play and Matthew Clarke, and Steven Baker comes off suspension" The Article AAP/TheAge/23May07 Key players to return: Lyon . . . After the two forwards both retired early from training, Gehrig limping slightly, Hayes was still working with no apparent restriction in movement just a month after breaking his collarbone. He, along with the rest of the Saints players, arrived three days out for the crucial Freo clash after Lyon borrowed from his former club Sydney's blueprint for tackling the trip west. "It is based on ... what I experienced last year with the Swans, with the two qualifying finals," Lyon said. "We came over in this type of time frame, settled the legs and settled the players in and had an opportunity to train on the ground. We had reasonable results, ran well. As a club St Kilda have not got a great record over here ... so we just thought we would try a different method" . . . But Lyon said while many close observers of Freo considered them under huge pressure, he saw a different perspective. "I don't know how vulnerable they are. They are a club that has got a lot of talent, they have won their last two home games," he said "They are a team that has got the dominant ruckman in the competition, elite midfielders and elite forwards in Chris Tarrant and Matthew Pavlich." The Article Tim Clarke/AAP/AFL/saints.com.au/23May07 Players staging for free kicks: Connolly His players have been reported 14 times this year and seven have missed games - the latest being Fremantle vice-captain Josh Carr. But Freo coach Chris Connolly said the impact of some incidents had been exacerbated by players staging for free kicks by feigning injury. Carr's one-game suspension, coming from his 12th report since 2002, was imposed after having a charge of striking Geelong's Steve Johnson upheld by the AFL Tribunal. But despite being without another senior player for the crucial game against St Kilda on Friday night, Connolly insisted neither Carr or the rest of his squad were undisciplined - and other factors were in play . . . "A player going down like he has been shot by someone in the crowd and then within 30 seconds being as hard at the next contest as they had ever been ... it doesn't put a good message. "I am not alluding to Steve Johnson - I just said over the course (of the season)... there has been a little bit of that going on." The Article Tim Clarke/AAP/AFL/saints.com.au/23May07 Roos advises senior journos to quit Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos has lashed out at senior AFL media figures, saying some of them should quit because they no longer understand the game. The premiership-winning mentor's comments follow the ongoing fallout from the poor spectacle that last Saturday night's Hawthorn-St Kilda match degenerated into at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. "You have to recognise when your time is up and I think there are some people in the media whose time is up," Roos said . . . He also went into bat for close friend and St Kilda coach Ross Lyon, an assistant with Sydney before moving south in the off-season. "I can't believe Rossy would be criticised when half his team is out," he said. "I defy any of us that are coaching at the moment to have nine of you best 18 out of the team and to try and win a game of football. To be 4-4 quite frankly is as good an effort as has happened in football this season." The Article AAP/FoxSports/23May07 Roos tells AFL media figures to move on AAP/BrisbaneTimes/23May07 Worsfold expects Hawks to flood West Coast coach John Worsfold has defended last week's 'snorefest' between Hawthorn and St Kilda, believing the onus was on coaches to win games of football rather than creating entertaining spectacles. Worsfold, whose side is widely regarded as the most entertaining in the competition, said it was up to the AFL to create an environment where exciting football can be played. "Winning football is entertaining for the people who support that team," Worsfold said. "The AFL have generally changed the game to increase the excitement and watchability of it. Coaches will coach with the rules they have to work with and if that's changing the game to an unacceptable level, the AFL will take steps to change it." The Article Justin Chadwick/Sportal/23May07 Preview: Fremantle v St Kild BLUFFER'S GUIDE: Any team forced to field three first-game players through necessity rather than choice is facing some real issues. That’s what St Kilda was obliged to do last week, and given the lack of available personnel, the likes of Justin Sweeney, David Armitage and Brad Howard might have to back up again. Fremantle will rightly head into the game as short-priced favourites. MID-WEEK QUESTION MARKS: As the week goes on, just how will the injury gods treat the Saints? Nick Riewoldt, Nick Dal Santo and Fraser Gehrig all had post-game scans last week and could be in some doubt, adding to the team’s horrific injury toll. One player definitely coming in for St Kilda is tough midfielder Steven Baker, who’s missed the past two games through suspension. The Saints could have done with his uncompromising approach last week, and he’ll be sure to spend his time giving the Fremantle midfield plenty of close attention. Will his presence be enough to upset Freo? The pressure on Chris Connolly this week will be immense in Perth, but would a convincing win give the home coach some much-needed breathing space? The Article AAP/AFL/saints.com.au/23May07 Farmer back for Indigenous Round As the AFL launched their celebration of the influence of indigenous players on the game, one of its best, Jeff Farmer, was reunited with Fremantle - albeit briefly and a little late. Farmer is still suspended from the Dockers following last month's nightclub brawl and subsequent assault conviction, which prompted his club to suspend him until round 13 at least. But with this round dedicated to indigenous players, and the role football plays in their community, the only aboriginal player to have kicked over 400 goals was welcomed back into the fold - even though he won't be playing anywhere this weekend. Farmer and seven indigenous Dockers teammates - the most ever to be listed at one time at a single AFL club - attended the launch at Perth's Kings Park, although traffic congestion meant Farmer's late arrival ensured no-one could miss his entrance. The Article AAP/TheAge/23May07 Indigenous round a good fit for Freo Mic Cullen/AFL/saints.com.au/23May07
St Kilda co-captain Lenny Hayes is poised to make a shock return only a month after suffering a broken collarbone. Hayes was a late addition to the Saints squad and flew out for Perth yesterday to prepare for Friday night's clash against Fremantle. As late as Monday, St Kilda still believed the key midfielder would miss another 2-3 weeks. However, Hayes put up his hand for what looms as a season-defining road trip. "Lenny came to us and said, 'I reckon it's right'," St Kilda football manager Ken Sheldon said from Perth last night. "We've done tests, seen the specialists and they are confident he will be all right." The Saints will test Hayes' collarbone in their training session at Subiaco Oval today. The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/23May07 Captain’s column: Lenny Hayes . . . We haven't had a lot of luck with injuries in the past three or four years, whether it's been soft-tissue or collision setbacks. Unfortunately, the calibre of players we have lost through injury has been significant. On the flip side, it does give young guys an opportunity. We've just got to stick tight as a club, but we'll get through this period and there is still a long way to go in the season, so hopefully leading into the break and after the mid-season rest, we'll gain most of these players back. Personally, my injury has been frustrating, after spending 10 months recovery on the knee. I was just starting to feel as though I was playing some okay football and feeling comfortable out on the field, but then this injury popped up. However it's just another thing that I have to rehabilitate and get right, so it's been mentally challenging rather than physically challenging. I'll train when we get to Perth ahead of this week’s game, and hopefully I’ll get the all-clear and play against Fremantle. The Article Lenn6y Hayes/saints.com.au/23May07 Lenny, M Clarke and Watts in . . . Although the Saints' defence has been crippled by injury, the side is likely to include its A-grade midfield trio of Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo and Hayes. Dal Santo has been hampered by hamstring soreness and had scans on a foot injury on Monday, but looks a certain starter. Nick Riewoldt is believed to have suffered a hamstring scare late in the loss to Hawthorn on Saturday night, but he has been declared fit after precautionary scans . . . Jason Gram (hamstring) did not make the flight and will not play. The Saints' other most recent soft-tissue victim, Xavier Clarke, will probably miss another two weeks. Ruckman Matthew Clarke flew out yesterday, pointing to his certain return from a calf problem. The Saints also included the near-forgotten Fergus Watts in the squad. Watts has played just one game for the Saints since being traded by Adelaide at the end of 2005. Promoted rookie Clinton Jones also flew out yesterday, but only to catch up with family and friends in Perth. Jones will miss up to six weeks with a collarbone injury. The Article Mark Stevens/FoxSports/23May07 Stop the silly name games St Kilda should be brought to account for Saturday night. For events before and after rather than during the game. The Saints named Jason Gram and Xavier Clarke in their final 22 to play Hawthorn in the knowledge neither would play. When it came time to account for the late withdrawals, officials said both had been hit by a virus. It was yet another example of the absolute disdain of certain clubs for the media and, by extension, supporters, punters and tipsters. The public. Neither of those players will play against Fremantle on Friday night. How, then, was either any chance to play last Saturday night? Gram has a hamstring-lower back strain and Clarke a calf strain. Hawthorn knew that was the case before the game, as did most football writers. The AFL should hit St Kilda where it hurts most. With a "please explain" and, when no satisfactory explanation is produced -- because there isn't one, a $10,000 fine. The Article Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/23May07 Dockers' stand on Farmer softens Fremantle forward Des Headland believes banished goal-sneak Jeff Farmer will help ignite the club's finals tilt when he returns from suspension after the mid-season bye. While the Dockers received a blow yesterday when Josh Carr's appeal against a one-week suspension for striking Geelong's Steve Johnson was dismissed by the tribunal, the presence of Farmer at an official function was evidence that Fremantle's stance towards the controversial forward has softened. Although Farmer, who was late arriving, had no official duty at yesterday's launch of the AFL's indigenous round, he was warmly greeted by senior players including Headland, Troy Cook and Antoni Grover, and mingled with officials including Dockers president Rick Hart. A meeting with Fremantle's management next Monday is expected to determine when Farmer will be welcomed back to the club. But Headland is confident the 29-year-old, who kicked 55 goals last season, will have an immediate impact. "I'm sure he'll be back bigger and better," Headland said yesterday. "He'll come back and want to prove things to a lot of people, and in the second half of the year you'll see lots of Jeff Farmer." The Article AAP/TheAustralian/23May07 Saints take on Dockers The Saints this week take on the Dockers at Subiaco Oval on Friday night and coach Ross Lyon is looking forward to the challenge. "We will take the 24 players that we have available and look to put the best 22 out on the park" he said. With Leigh Montagna now out for at least four weeks with a broken jaw, Lyon is considering the potential players who could return to senior football. "This week we get Steven Baker back from suspension and possibly also Andrew McQualter", Lyon said. Although Max Hudghton is progressing well in the VFL, Lyon is conscious of rushing his star full back. "I’d say Max is unlikely to play this week. Since I’ve been here at the Club, he’s only played 15 mins of senior footy" he said. With the Saints taking a precautionary approach with Hudghton’s return, Lyon is certain his cautious approach is the most beneficial for the Club. “It’s delicate decision making at the moment with Max, we don’t want a short term benefit and nor do we want to risk him. Obviously, he is really important to us.” The Article AAP/TheAustralian/22May07 Carr given one-match suspension Fremantle midfielder Josh Carr will miss one match after being found guilty of striking by the AFL tribunal. Carr was unsuccessful in challenging the level two offence made against Geelong's Steven Johnson during Saturday's round eight fixture at Kardinia Park. The tribunal ruled the strike was intentional and banned Carr for a week. The Article ABCSport/22May07 Freo to challenge Carr charge Andrew Bousfield/fremantlefc.com.au/saints.com.au/22May07 Dockers need to step up now: Connolly With rumblings resurfacing about the future of Fremantle coach Chris Connolly, the Dockers mentor has admitted it is time for he and his team to step up, and fast. Following last weekend's loss to Geelong, adding to the Dockers below-par start to a season many thought might bring them September glory, chairman Rick Hart was forced to defend Connolly, saying his job was safe for the season. But with the Freo coach uncontracted after that, and a massive clash with St Kilda at Subiaco on Friday, Connolly said he felt support within the club - and it was now time for players and coaches to repay that on the field. The Article AAP/Sportal/22May07 Saints' player stocks running low St Kilda will have only 24 or 25 fit players to choose from for the second-straight week when they play Fremantle this Friday night. The Saints will travel to Perth on Tuesday to prepare for the game. Their injury woes have worsened with the news that utility Leigh Montagna will miss between four and six weeks with a broken jaw. Montagna suffered the injury early in Saturday night's much-discussed loss to Hawthorn, but played out the game. Fraser Gehrig, who was still limping noticeably, Nick Riewoldt and Nick Dal Santo all went for scans on Monday. But coach Ross Lyon said the tests were only precautionary and he expects the trio to play. "We'll take the 24 we've got available, I think, unless you've got a few tucked away for me," Lyon half-joked about his depleted list. Lyon also praised Montagna for his courage in playing out the match. "(He) clearly played with a broken jaw ... it was a pretty courageous effort," he said. The Article Roger Vaughan And Sam Lienert/AAP/AFL/saints.com.au/21May07
St Kilda was last night scrambling to find a full squad of 25 to fly to Perth for Friday night's looming mission impossible against Fremantle. The Saints depart today reeling from a fresh run of soft-tissue problems and the loss of key runner Leigh Montagna with a broken jaw. Montagna was injured in the first quarter of Saturday night's ugly loss to Hawthorn and will miss up to six weeks despite playing on in a bid to lift the Saints. While Montagna was a victim of bad luck, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon continues to be frustrated by a spate of soft-tissue setbacks. Jason Gram (back-related hamstring) and Xavier Clarke (calf) were both injured on the track late last week -- even though the Saints first announced the pair had succumbed to a virus. Pressure is mounting, with the Saints in the midst of an investigation into the soft-tissue curse. It is believed Lyon was furious when both Gram and Clarke joined a lengthy injury list. The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/22May07 Saints injury woes worsen RealFooty/21May07 Roos defends the game – and Rossy . . . "I don’t think either team would have gone in thinking ‘we’re going to kick two goals up to three-quarter time’. That’s something no-one plans for," Roos said. "But things just seem to happen in a game and unless you’re in a coaches’ box and unless you understand the tactics during the game, it’s really hard to comment … generally it is hard for people outside the inner sanctum to fully understand exactly what goes on in footy these days." Given the Saints were missing almost half of their best line-up through injury, Roos believes criticism of Lyon’s men is unwarranted. The Article Ben Broad/AFL/saints.com.au/23May07 Melbourne can be insane at times: Roos . . . Roos said he was surprised people were still talking about it. "Melbourne can be insane at times in terms of the coverage of football and that's the thing that's hit home to me again this week," he said. "I mean how you can have so many articles about one game with everyone having an opinion is just mind boggling. It was a game of football, I didn't see all of it, obviously it wasn't a great game of footy - move on." The Article ABCSport/23May07 GO BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE
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