Round 3 Post-GameGo to: Pre-Game

Grow up Aker: Harvey
St Kilda's Robert Harvey told Jason Akermanis to "grow up" moments after the outspoken Western Bulldog accused Harvey of grabbing his testicles. Following what had been a frustrating weekend for Harvey, the AFL announced last night no action would be taken after speaking to the dual Brownlow medallist and Akermanis yesterday. It's understood Harvey was extremely disappointed to be summoned to AFL headquarters after a notice of investigation was issued after the Saints-Dogs clash at Telstra Dome on Friday night. Using a "squirrel grip" is considered one of the lowest acts in football. The Saints refused to comment last night, saying they did not want to inflame the incident further in the lead-up to their clash against Geelong at the Dome on Saturday. The Herald Sun was also told Harvey was unavailable for comment, as was Akermanis, also a Brownlow medallist. Harvey, with Saints football manager Matthew Drain, fronted AFL investigator John Coburn yesterday. It's believed Akermanis told Coburn he had felt a "pushing sensation" in the groin area, but did not accuse Harvey of deliberately grabbing his testicles.
Goddard makes solid return
As St Kilda's lead over the Bulldogs slowly slipped away on Friday night, there was one positive the Saints fans could draw on. Brendon Goddard was never going to set the world on fire in his first game back from a knee reconstruction, but 20 possessions and 10 marks later he was one of few shining lights in an otherwise forgettable night for the Saints. Goddard admits he was nervous in the lead-up to the game. "It's a weird feeling. It's almost like the feeling of your first game again. I sat down during the week and tried to gather some memories of my last game, it's hard to actually do that," he said. "It actually doesn't seem that long because I've had a pretty good pre-season and felt like I've been involved with the boys from day one of the pre-season." Goddard said there were fears in the back of his mind that he would re-injure the knee but was reassured that he had ticked all the boxes. "You put it in perspective and while it does enter your mind you've got to weigh it up and say 'I've done the work and done everything right'. It would just be bad luck if it did happen again." The 22-year-old sought guidance from senior midfielders Lenny Hayes and Robert Harvey, who have both come back from knee reconstructions.
Midfield poor, Goddard good: Lyon
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says a poor midfield showing was the main reason for his side's fadeout against the Western Bulldogs. The Saints led by six goals at quarter-time but ended up losing by 38 points, which Lyon said can be traced back to the midfield. "It is dramatic and clearly we've got some concerns. The facts of it are laid bare - after quarter time we were obliterated in the midfield at clearances and ground ball," Lyon said. "It's an annihilation in the contest through the midfield. Games are won and lost in the midfield." Lyon said he was prepared for a Bulldogs comeback after the Saints' early dominance when they took a 37-point lead into the first break. "We knew they would improve at the contested ball, we knew they'd improve at the clearances and we knew that if you don't man them up when they win it, they score heavily," Lyon said. "We fell down in the three basics - contest, pressure and use."
Saints annihilated: Lyon
St Kilda was 'obliterated' in the midfield, coach Ross Lyon said after watching his side lose by 38 points to the Western Bulldogs on Friday night. Lyon - a believer in Allan Jeans' philosophy that there are three phases in football; you have it, they have it and the ball is in dispute - said the Saints were annihilated in midfield contests. "We knew they've (the Bulldogs) improved in the contested ball, we knew they'd improved their clearances and we knew if you don't man them up when they have it they score heavily," Lyon said. So we fell down in the basics. Really the three phases of the game - contest, pressure and use. After quarter time we were obliterated in the middle, in clearances and ground ball. If you look at the ground ball it was minus 26 in the midfield, roughly from memory. And clearances were very poor through there. It's an annihilation in the contest through the midfield. Games are won and lost in the midfield. You can package it up any way you want. If you get beaten in the clearances, midfield, ground ball, you're not going to get much flow either way."
Bulldogs bite back to leave Saints yelping
This was a victory to establish bona fides, it was a win to firm the Western Bulldogs as an outfit of merit to be respected, and to raise the first scratching queries about St Kilda. The Bulldogs overcame a seemingly match-defining 37 point deficit at quarter- time to completely upstage the Saints and remain undefeated, winning by 38 points. These sides, which drew at the same venue, when they last met last year, returned for another thrilling performance. This was a match to measure the Dogs. Round one they pinched a game they should not have in Brad Johnson's 300th, next they had the modern version of a bye playing Melbourne - nobody's idea of testing competition to date this year. Last night they met St Kilda - many people's idea of real competition this year - and thoroughly outplayed them. For three quarters. Conceding a lead in the first quarter that should have been game deciding the Bulldogs fought their way into the contest first and then took it away.
Kosi's 100th game is one to remember
It took Justin Koschitzke seven years to get to last night, his 100th senior game. And his 100th senior game, much like the beginning of St Kilda's round-three match and indeed the start of the career of the key forward from Brocklesby, began brilliantly. Within five minutes of the opening bounce, Koschitzke had marked the ball twice, kicked it twice and had two goals to his name. His Western Bulldogs opponent, Cameron Wight, looked out of his depth far earlier than even the greatest Bulldogs sceptics would have thought. Everything for Koschitzke and his team was going to plan and the 37-point margin at the first break was testament to it. At that first break there was an especially ominous look to St Kilda's goal-kickers' list - their towering trio Nick Riewoldt, Fraser Gehrig and Koschitzke were all on the board. It was something that, for all their talents, they did not manage even against lowly Carlton last week. Koschitzke was held goalless, Riewoldt kicked two but both in the final term, Gehrig and Stephen Milne were the side's leading goal-kickers, bagging four apiece.
Dogs do a job on Saints
The Western Bulldogs have pulled off a stunning turnaround to record their first AFL win over St Kilda in four seasons, a runaway 19.11 (125) to 13.9 (87) victory at Telstra Dome. They kicked 18.9 to 6.6 after quarter-time to notch the 38-point win, their first over the Saints since 2004, after trailing by 37 points at the first change. With the Saints' dominance of their head-to-head record in recent years thanks largely to the dominance of their big forwards, the first quarter of the match suggested that trend was set to be followed again. St Kilda blitzed the Bulldogs 7.3 to 1.2 in the first term, with star forwards Justin Koschitzke and Nick Riewoldt looking too strong for their respective opponents Cameron Wight and Dale Morris, to kick two goals each. But that was pretty much where it stopped for the Saints' tall towers - neither scoring another goal until deep in the final term - and their side as a whole, as their opponents worked their way on top and the Bulldogs took over the contest in the centre of the ground.
Dogs go marching in as Saints lick their wounds
The Saints were unable to build on their best ever first quarter under Ross Lyon and looked sluggish and uninspiring once the Dog runners found their legs midway through the second quarter. Led by young South Australian duo Adam Cooney and Ryan Griffen, who combined for 53 touches and five goals, and another three majors from the crafty Jason Akermanis, St Kilda's lack of midfield pace was exposed time and again as the game became a more open affair. Fourth-gamer Josh Hill put in an early contender for the Rising Star nomination, his 18 possessions and 11 marks yielding two goals and numerous highlight moments, while Mitch Hahn joined Akermanis and Griffen in bagging a triple on the scoreboard. For the Saints, Brendan Goddard's return was promising and Justin Koschtizke shook off a poor showing last week to boot three, but Dale Morris and Brian Lake shut down Nick Riewoldt and Fraser Gehrig respectively as Ross Lyon's men kicked seven goals in the first term, but only six the rest of the way. St Kilda looked like all its pre-season hype was justified early on, winning contest after contest around the ground and seemingly kicking goals at will. Averaging 12 goals a match in the first two games, the Saints had more than half that at the first change, although Rodney Eade's address to his troops was calmer than expected.

Round 3 Pre-GameBack to Post-Game

Eddy bides his time
As one of seven rookie list players competing for a spot in St Kilda's senior list, Robert Eddy knows his work is cut out for him if he wants an AFL career. He needs no further proof of this than his own housemate Andrew McQualter, who was delisted by the Saints last year before joining Eddy on the rookie list. But Eddy says even though he and McQualter are now looking for the same opening, there is no rivalry at the house the pair share with Eddy's sister in Clarinda. "It's not too bad. I went to school with Andrew when we were both in the boarding house at Caulfield Grammar," Eddy said. "I've known him for a few years, so I suppose that makes it a bit easier. We won't talk about footy too much when we're home. It has been a goal of mine to get on the senior list. It is going to depend on injuries and performance but we'll see how we go." Twenty-year-old Eddy is in his second season as a Saints rookie and is hoping to follow the path set by one of his best friends at the club, Jarryn Geary. "Jarryn got elevated late last year and that put it in context for me. I was in the same position as him and things can change pretty quick," he said. "You've got to keep sticking at it and keep working hard like he did and things might open up." While Eddy has been given no indications from coach Ross Lyon that he is in line to be promoted, he is doing everything he can to earn a senior spot.
Caro's Robert Harvey Interview
When the Saint goes marching on .. and on ... and on ...
Harvey is sitting in the dugout at the side of the ground granting a rare interview. In the words of one of his young teammates - and all are young to him now - he has never been a big talker but when he talks you listen ... "It's not about me. There's so much more to it than that. The amount of players who've been through this joint and failed over the past 20 years, I'm just another one. We are all living with the frustration of what's happened here in the last five years, frustration because we haven't done it and it all means nothing. Perceptions mean nothing. We might have come close on two occasions but in this competition we are just another number. These guys here now, they don't want to leave anything to chance and they are all so young. They haven't got the opportunity to win a premiership. They've got the opportunity to win multiple premierships. When you're a young player you learn a lot. Then you get established and you think you know it all. Now I'm learning all over again. I'm learning from these guys and just seeing them coming up and doing what they're doing, I haven't enjoyed a year more."
Michael Voss talks about Robert Harvey
Let's stop questioning whether Robert Harvey should have played on, and rejoice in the simple fact he has
So what? For Harvey it's not about him and his performance. It's totally and utterly about the team and what it collectively can achieve. Harvey is motivated solely by the only honour that has eluded him - an AFL premiership. As long as coach Ross Lyon was convinced, it was the right decision. And if Harvey was prepared to accept his role within the team, it was the right decision. Because only the coach and the inner sanctum really see what a player and a person of Harvey's ilk brings to his club and his playing group. Irrespective of his age, Harvey is still a better player than a big portion of AFL players. He's worth his place in the side for all that he brings to the group. A footy game lasts two-and-a-half hours. Or 1% of the week. What Harvey does during that time is only a miniscule part of his total contribution.
Talk from the critics hasn't hurt Harvey
St Kilda's veteran champion Robert Harvey has scoffed at reports he was angry with his former coach Grant Thomas for suggesting he might be finished, saying: "A comment from a couple of commentators isn't going to change my year." The 36-year-old dual Brownlow medallist has spoken for the first time about the question marks on his decision to play a record 21st season, which came after one NAB Cup game from Thomas and his fellow radio commentator Dermott Brereton. "I read in the paper that I was seething about what they said but I honestly never said a word about it to anyone ... not even my wife," Harvey told The Age. "He (Thomas) is not a coach any more, he's a media commentator and it was a pretty quiet week for everyone that week. I'm a proud guy and I didn't think they were right. I'm also an old guy and it takes some time to get the cobwebs out. So far it hasn't been perfect but it's been OK and all the indicators are good." Harvey said he had not heard the comments on radio SEN back in February but that he had been quickly made aware of his old coach's comments upon arriving at training the Monday after the St Kilda-Essendon pre-season game.
X marks his spot
As the fifth pick in the most talked about AFL draft of all time, it's hard to fade into the background. But Xavier Clarke feels he has always had to catch up to the other young guns St Kilda selected from the 2001 pool. Clarke became a Saint the same day that Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo, Matt Maguire, Leigh Montagna and Josh Houlihan joined the club and Luke Hodge (No. 1, Hawthorn) and Chris Judd (No. 3, West Coast Eagles) made their high profile graduations. While Houlihan left the club without playing a game, the others have become some of St Kilda's most important players - a fact not lost on the former Northern Territorian. "When you look at those guys, Dal (Nick Dal Santo) was playing tremendous footy and came third in the Brownlow," Clarke said. "Bally (Luke Ball) won a best and fairest and Leigh (Montagna) had a super year last year, coming third in the best and fairest. We came through the system at the same time and it's great to see those boys doing well, but it's also a case of thinking that it's my turn to step up and have an influence." On the eve of his 100th game, Clarke recognises his constant injury problems have hampered him along the way, but is looking forward to joining some of his more celebrated teammates in the engine room. "I got to 50 pretty quick but it slowed down from there," he said. "It's a good thing to get to the 100 but in saying that I'm happy to be out there playing and fit at the moment. It's a good milestone but it's just another game and we've still got plenty more to go for the season."
Goddard back for Saints against Bulldogs
St Kilda's Brendon Goddard will play his first AFL match in almost a year against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night. Goddard, who seriously injured his knee in round seven last year, has been named for the Telstra Dome match after playing the past three games for the Saints' VFL affiliate Casey Scorpions. The Saints, who have been constantly hampered by injuries in recent seasons, are now almost at full strength, with fellow defender Matt Maguire expected back from a leg injury in the next one or two weeks. The Bulldogs made just the one forced change, half-forward Shaun Higgins out with an ankle injury, while running player Nathan Eagleton returns. West Coast forward Josh Kennedy, traded from Carlton in the Chris Judd deal, will play his first game for the club in Saturday night's derby against Fremantle at Subiaco. The Eagles will also unveil Scott Selwood for his AFL debut. He will become the fourth Selwood to play in the AFL, joining Eagles teammate Adam, Brisbane's Troy and Geelong premiership player Joel.
Saints prepared for closer encounter
... The Bulldogs thrashed Melbourne by 95 points last week, while St Kilda overcame a sluggish start to beat Carlton by 40 points. Lyon says the Bulldogs are in great form. "I expect every game I go in to to be really tight and you don't go in thinking you're going to steam roll anyone in AFL footy, we expect it to go to the wire," he said. "We want to work hard, we want to bring our work boots and make sure we're in the contest, because they can blow you away quicker than any other team in the AFL." Lyon says the Bulldogs' high-scoring forwards will be hard to contain. "They've got all their run back, all their skill back, and they've kicked something like 19 goals and 20 odd goals," he said. "So they're really up and firing and I think everyone really respects the way they play - they're a really difficult challenge."
'Saints' Match preview
... Key match-ups
Brian Lake v Fraser Gehrig - Gehrig has kicked some big bags on Lake in recent years, but had a very quiet night out in the most recent encounter. Lake is the Dogs' best defender and will most likely take the G-Train.
Max Hudghton v Brad Johnson - Hudghton silenced a few critics with a solid game against Brendan Fevola last week, while creating plenty of play himself. He could be up against Johnson, who has troubled St Kilda for as long as Saints fans would care to remember.
Leigh Fisher v Scott West - Fisher has taken on some big names in Chris Judd and Adam Goodes over the first two rounds and has come out with his head held high. The Saints have traditionally put a hard tag on West, which has seen the consistent Bulldog veteran put in some quiet performances. While retired duo Andrew Thompson and Stephen Powell have had the job in past years, Fisher could be the man for the role this week.
'Sportal' Match preview
... We think
This game will see a contrast in style. The Saints play a dour game based on getting numbers behind the ball, while the fleet-footed Bulldogs love to run and carry the ball. Eade's side is at its best when it breaks the lines and kicks over centre half-forward, a position which is still a weakness for the Bulldogs despite the arrival of Scott Welsh from Adelaide. The Saints' game plan will be to deprive the Bulldogs runners of time and space in the midfield, forcing them wide and out of the corridor. That will give them time to push numbers back and highlight the Bulldogs' lack of a big-bodied forward who can be a long target, a get-out-of-jail option if you like. That's in contrast to the Saints, who have Nick Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke and Fraser Gehrig stockpiled in their forward 50. In a tight contest, back the side with the better tall forwards. St Kilda by 17 points.
Saint Goddard close to returning
St Kilda defender Brendon Goddard is likely to make his return from a knee reconstruction in tomorrow night's match against the Western Bulldogs, coach Ross Lyon said yesterday. Lyon said Goddard, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in round seven last year, had about 300 minutes of game time under his belt from playing in practice matches and the VFL. "We'll make some final decisions post-training ... but Brendon's a really strong consideration," he said. Goddard would only be picked if he was considered 100%, Lyon said, as he would not consider nursing him through his reintroduction to the senior ranks. "Once you get picked, you let it rip and away you go - we won't be protecting anyone. Once you're picked, you're in, you're fit and you're available ... there's no easy rides in AFL footy," he said. Lyon said centre half-back Matt Maguire, who also played in the VFL last weekend as he makes his way back from a foot injury, was still at least two weeks away from selection. "Then it's about him finding his form, really, because the team's up and about, so he's got to really force his way in," Lyon said.
Gale a blow for Saints
Melbourne's wild weather on Wednesday has played havoc with St Kilda's preparations for Friday night's clash against the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome in a game that pits together two of the only four unbeaten teams in the competition so far this year. The Saints were forced to bring their training session at Moorabbin forward by three hours on Wednesday afternoon due to forecasts of hail and thunder later in the day but then still could not escape the howling gales which caused havoc across Melbourne. As the Saints players warmed up on the oval, one of the goalposts toppled over as a result of the wind while the net behind the same goals was also buckling under the strain of winds that reached over 100kph. Earlier St Kilda coach Ross Lyon told the media a sheet of corrugated iron also blew across the ground in what was hardly the ideal preparation for a game that will be played under pristine conditions under the closed roof at Docklands on Friday night. "I am a little bit worried, a corrugated iron sheet came off before so there is a little bit of risk but we haven't got an alternative so there is not much we can do about it," Lyon said before training. Lyon said the Saints had attempted to switch training indoors to the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre but had been beaten to the punch by a couple of other Victorian clubs. But Lyon said there was at least one benefit from having to train in such conditions. "It's a good challenge to work on your technique and good technique tends to show up in difficult conditions."
Kosi and X finally gets to 100
Few AFL players have endured as tough a journey to the 100-game milestone as St Kilda star Justin Koschitzke who will finally bring up his century of games on Friday night against the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome ... This week's clash against the Bulldogs also marks the 100th game of Xavier Clarke, who himself has battled injury problems over the years but has taken one less year than Koschitzke to reach the century mark after being picked up by the Saints at pick five in the 2001 national draft. "It's great to see early draft picks come through and play really good football for your club," Lyon said of Koschitzke and Clarke. Koschitzke began his career on a high in 2001 when he played 20 games in his debut season and took home the AFL's prestigious Rising Star Award for the best young player of that season. But his injury problems began the following year when a back injury limited him to just four games. The next two years were productive, yielding 17 games in each of 2003 and 2004, but in 2005 quad and hamstring injuries limited him to just 13 games and crucially he missed the finals series that year. And many Saints' fans still believe that Koschitzke's absence from the finals in 2005 cost the club a premiership after it was overrun in a home preliminary final by eventual premiers Sydney, particularly given Koschitzke's form during the middle of that season when fully fit. In a devastating five game spell between rounds 14 and 18, Koschitzke - playing both as a ruckman and as a key forward - produced the amazing statistics of 94 possessions, 48 marks, 53 hit-outs, 19 goals and 11 Brownlow votes and if he had been fit and in that kind of form come September, many people believe the Saints wouldn't still be waiting for their first flag since 1966.
AFL to explore Wallace's plan
Ross Lyon: It's in everyone's interest to make the game better
The AFL will seriously consider proposals to expand the interchange bench. It has vowed not to sit on its hands when it comes to changing the game's rules and regulations. Richmond coach Terry Wallace is pushing for two extra interchange players to use in case players get injured during matches. The radical idea received support from Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse, who made a record 110 changes in his side's loss to the Brisbane Lions ... St Kilda coach Ross Lyon yesterday stressed it was in everyone's interest to make the game better. "At the end of the day you need time to sit down and consider it. I've been preparing for the Western Bulldogs so I haven't given it much consideration but I'm sure Terry's intent is healthy," Lyon said. "I just think you judge everything on its merits and go through the correct processes to bring in whatever changes are made to the game."
Harvs delivers an evolution lesson
Age alone does not explain why Robert Harvey is not the player he was when he won his Brownlow Medals. His game, like The Game, is different. Both have evolved. Harvs was, and is, a merciless runner. At his prime, one of his great assets was his pace, as well as the fact he could just run all day and grind his opponents into the ground. But rotations have changed that. Now, when opposition teams think Harvs is getting on top, they just bring on another fresh player. So he has had to learn to change his game and become more of an impact player. If you go back and look at one of his games when he won his Brownlows, it is very different to the game he plays now. Partly that is because he is older but also it is because he has worked out how to adapt his game. Fortunately, he is such a great player he was able to evolve and still be an important part of the side. I think Harvs is a good example of why you let the game grow, evolve and adapt and not jump in to make changes for it. The good players, like the good coaches, will always find ways to adapt and survive. The game now is not a war of attrition in the way it was - it is a burst game. You get in, do your work and get off.
100 up for St Kilda stars, Bulldog
St Kilda stars Justin Koschitzke and Xavier Clarke will play their 100th games against the Bulldogs this Friday night at Telstra Dome. Key forward and ruckman Koschitzke has had a career plagued by injury since his debut in 2001 but enjoyed a relatively injury-free run last year, resulting in the big Saint playing 19 games for the season. St Mary's (Darwin) product Clarke, who played his first game for the Saints in 2002, also enjoyed better luck with injuries last season to notch up 18 games. Western Bulldogs defender Brian Lake (formerly Brian Harris) will also play his 100th game in Friday's clash. The Saints and Bulldogs will compete for the Barker-Whitten Challenge trophy, an award that honours the late Trevor Barker and Ted Whitten. The former VFL stars both fell victim to cancer after distinguished careers with their respective clubs. Since it's inception in 2000, the award has been won five times by St Kilda and twice by the Bulldogs.
Riewoldt must play centre half-back: Patrick Smith
It is something that we will never know because it is too sensitive a subject. Yet it remains critical to how far St Kilda can push into the finals if, as expected, the club makes the final eight. When Fraser Gehrig contacted St Kilda and said that he had rethought his retirement plans, it would be fascinating to know the reaction of coach Ross Lyon compared with that of the new board led by president Greg Westaway. Given that past players Nathan Burke and Andrew Thompson were on the board and former team-mates of the full-forward, you fancy they would have wanted him back. After all, when he retired he had kicked 540 goals and was something of a cult figure with the easily pleased St Kilda fans. But what about the coach? Lyon is a staunch believer that the forward line applies absolute pressure on defenders when the ball is loose. Stephen Milne is on notice that if he does not harass, tackle and chase then his position in the side is not guaranteed. No matter if he kicks a goal or two. Lyon would have thought when Gehrig retired that he had solved a problem no matter how gifted the full-forward was in kicking goals. The big man does not have the mind-set or the aerobic ability to chase down defenders, spook them with unrelenting stalking. Without sustained pestering the opposition defence can move the ball out of the backline in preparation for an attack of their own. So there might just have been a clash of wills between coach and board.
Talk from the critics hasn't hurt Harvey
St Kilda's veteran champion Robert Harvey has scoffed at reports he was angry with his former coach Grant Thomas for suggesting he might be finished, saying: "A comment from a couple of commentators isn't going to change my year." The 36-year-old dual Brownlow medallist has spoken for the first time about the question marks on his decision to play a record 21st season, which came after one NAB Cup game from Thomas and his fellow radio commentator Dermott Brereton. "I read in the paper that I was seething about what they said but I honestly never said a word about it to anyone ... not even my wife," Harvey told The Age. "He (Thomas) is not a coach any more, he's a media commentator and it was a pretty quiet week for everyone that week. I'm a proud guy and I didn't think they were right. I'm also an old guy and it takes some time to get the cobwebs out. So far it hasn't been perfect but it's been OK and all the indicators are good." Harvey said he had not heard the comments on radio SEN back in February but that he had been quickly made aware of his old coach's comments upon arriving at training the Monday after the St Kilda-Essendon pre-season game.