Bartlett's fury over 'injustice'
Kevin Bartlett, the public face of the laws of the game committee launched a scathing attack on the tribunal system. Bartlett was furious that the match review panel -- Andrew McKay (chairman), Paul Broderick and Peter Carey -- allowed Geelong ruckman Trent West to walk free after he knocked out St Kilda's Xavier Clarke at Telstra Dome on Saturday. The highly decorated former player and one of only 21 Hall of Fame legends of the game, described the panel's findings "a disgrace". Bartlett said that the image of the game had become tarnished over the incident, and called for the AFL to intervene and appeal the decision. "A glaring mistake has been made and it needs to be struck off the books," Bartlett said. "It should never be used as a reference because it's an injustice. You would hope no club would ever be able to use that vision as a precedent." Bartlett described Clarke as a "passive bystander" knocked unconscious by West delivering a bump 10-12 metres off the play. According to the published reasons, the match review panel deemed West's action to be a block/shepherd and that contact was not considered unnecessary in the circumstances because the bulk of the contact was to Clarke's body.
Rules and penalties take king-hit
On Saturday, Geelong ruckman Trent West collected St Kilda's Xavier Clarke, who was not looking, and Clarke was carried off the ground on a stretcher. West was not cited. Late last year, St Kilda hard man Steven Baker collected Fremantle's Jeff Farmer, who was not looking, and Farmer walked off the ground assisted by trainers. Baker received seven matches - four for the incident plus a loading of three - and won't be available until Round 6 this year. In my opinion, it remains the greatest tribunal injustice of recent time. In both cases, the ball was more than 5m from the incident and, in both cases, the contact was initiated by a player intent on blocking or shepherding. The AFL rule regarding this is Rule 15.4.5 (e) and is explained as when "a player makes prohibitive contact with an opposition player, if he pushes, bumps, holds, or blocks an opposition player when the football is further than five metres away from the opposition player or is out of play". That Baker still awaits his 2008 debut angers him and the St Kilda Football Club. Those close to the backman/tagger say he remains in disbelief, even bitter, about a clash that left Farmer with a broken nose, and himself with an "egg" on the back his head. In essence, Baker was suspended for "blocking".
Panel found under carpet with a broom
... If it is the force of the blow, coupled with Staker's defenceless and unaware state that has driven this assault from a football yarn to one of wider community interest, then AFL football laws are ambiguous and hypocritical, as is the response of those who govern the game and those who follow it. In the same round and on the same day as both Hall and Staker lost their senses, another footballer was concussed after being crunched when he was defenceless and oblivious that he was about to be struck. St Kilda's Xavier Clarke was not participating in the play as he trailed the ball that was sent some 20 metres ahead of him in the match against Geelong. Yet he was knocked so heavily that he was concussed and taken from the ground on a stretcher. As he followed the ball he could have hardly expected contact yet the AFL has deemed it fair and appropriate that he be knocked stupid and removed from the ground. As Clarke jogged up the ground Geelong's Trent West ran towards Clarke, striking him with his hip and shoulder. Some contact must have been made to the head because he was unable to walk off the ground and after the game St Kilda named him as an injured player suffering from concussion. In March last year the general manager of football operations at the AFL, Adrian Anderson, introduced new guidelines after Justin Koschitzke suffered a fractured skull when he was bumped by the Bulldogs' Daniel Giansiracusa the previous season. Anderson said: "It's still fine to execute a legitimate hip and shoulder bump, that is here to stay as part of the game. But if a player suffers an injury to the head or neck from a bump and you had other options then you will be held responsible."
Mooney escapes tripping ban
Geelong key forward Cameron Mooney beat a tripping charge last night in contrasting fortunes for Saturday's game against Sydney. Mooney left the AFL Tribunal with a broad smile while the Swans were left to contemplate at least the next two months without Barry Hall. The big Cat argued that his trip of St Kilda onballer Leigh Montagna was reckless rather than intentional. When the tribunal jury agreed, Mooney's demerit points tally was adjusted from 140.63 and a one-game ban to 90 and a reprimand. Mooney told the hearing it was a reflex action that caused him to thrust his right leg towards Montagna in the third quarter at Telstra Dome last Saturday. He said he was trying to block Montagna from handballing. Ryan Gamble accepted a one-match ban for striking St Kilda's Nick Dal Santo.

West cleared for hard bump on X Clarke
... Trent West is in the clear for his hard bump on Xavier Clarke. The panel decided that the contact was not unnecessary in the circumstances as: (1) The bulk of the contact was to Clarke's body. (2) West did not use his elbow as part of the contact. (3) West did not leave the ground during his action. (4) West did not run a great distance to make contact.
Mooney and Gamble face suspension
... Geelong star forward Cameron Mooney was charged with tripping St Kilda's Leigh Montagna at Telstra Dome. Mooney could have escaped with a reprimand, if not for his poor prior record, which resulted in a 50 per cent penalty loading, meaning he will be banned for a match even if he pleads guilty. Another Cat, young forward Ryan Gamble, is also facing a week on the sidelines after being charged with striking (level 3) St Kilda's Nick Dal Santo.
Barry Hall: The match review panel ruled Hall's punch to the head of West Coast's Brent Staker as intentional, high contact, causing severe impact. That grading lifted it above the number of activation points which equates to a set penalty, meaning Hall must face the tribunal. It also means the former Swans skipper can not submit an early guilty plea and gain a 25 per cent penalty reduction. However, the tribunal can take a guilty plea into account if Hall admits to the charge at the hearing.
Gamble reported for striking Dal Santo
... Geelong rookie Ryan Gamble was reported for striking St Kilda's Nick Dal Santo during the Cats' ruthless 42-point win over St Kilda and up to three more more Cats could come under scrutiny from the match review committee. A heavy shepherd by ruckman Trent West that saw St Kilda's Xavier Clarke stretchered off will almost certainly be reviewed, while forward Cameron Mooney appeared to throw out a leg to trip Leigh Montagna and Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel was also involved in a heavy clash. However, even if the Cats lose some key players, the Swans will be left under no illusions about the tough task they confront without their star forward Hall when they review the defending premiers' latest impressive victory.
We didn't give up: Lyon
... "I deal in facts and the facts are that they're the benchmark team," Lyon said of the Cats. "So we go away and we learn a lot from it. In a lot of ways we were in the game for a fair chunk, but they made us pay with a lot of turnover goals. I thought we looked dangerous when we were winning the ball, but clearly not taking the opportunities early to put some scoreboard pressure on [hurt us]. Then in the second quarter they really got to work as what happened [to us] the previous week, so I'll have to go and analyse it. There was a significant swing from quarter to quarter. That's what we're trying to understand because the plans don't change, but the results did. I'm not sure the scoreboard exactly indicates it, but at no stage did our group give up." The Saints' onball brigade was subjected to some intense media scrutiny in the aftermath of last week's loss to the Western Bulldogs, but Lyon was pleased with the response he received across the board from his players. "I thought our centre square group of [Lenny] Hayes, [Luke] Ball, [Leigh] Montagna and [Nick] Dal Santo really were desperate right to the end in there," he said. "[But] it wasn't just them; it was the whole club that was criticised. Some of our aging champions were criticised, our gun midfielders, we were all criticised, so we all win and lose together."
Cats' power shows up Saints
After an indifferent win against lowly Melbourne last week, Geelong became reacquainted with its A-Grade game at Telstra Dome on Saturday, humiliating St Kilda by 42 points - 21.10 (136) to 13.16 (94) ... After a promising start, their midfield was ground into the dust and simply couldn't match Geelong's for depth, pace and hardness ... The inspirational Lenny Hayes, whose 32 possessions were typically hard-earned, was the exception, but he was no more influential than any one of half-a-dozen Cats including Joel Corey (29 disposals), Jimmy Bartel (31) and James Kelly, who is in career-best form ... Stung by last week's drubbing by the Bulldogs, St Kilda's midfield set the tone in the opening term with Hayes (12 touches) outstanding. But the Saints' dominance was not reflected on the scoreboard which showed six more scoring shots for a six-point lead. The contest turned, however, after Riewoldt bagged his third in the opening minute of the second term, when former Cat Steven King clashed heavily off the ball with the player he kept out of last year's premiership line-up, Mark Blake ... The Saints did their best work at the finish when it was all too late. Fifteen of Leigh Montagna's match-high 35 possessions came in the final term and Luke Ball had 10 touches, but both were among the missing when it really counted.
Cats pounce on wasteful Saints
Here is the problem St Kilda had at quarter-time yesterday. It had smashed Geelong at the clearances 14-2 and it had the standout midfielder. Also, the best forward and its zone at the kick-ins had the Cat defenders baffled. Doesn't sound like much of a problem, does it? But when you looked at the scoreboard and saw it led by seven points, the size of the dilemma was apparent. The Saints had kicked 4.7 to 4.0, but everyone knew the Cat midfielders were going to bounce back and that St Kilda's dominance at the fall of the ball could not continue at the same rate. When you play a side as good as Geelong, you have to take your chances. The Saints didn't and when the inevitable happened - and the Cats worked their way into the game around the ground -- they quickly showed the yawning gap in depth and quality between the two teams. On paper, the clash between last year's standout side and this year's pre-season winner should have been a beauty. But the Cats' ability to stick with the Saints while playing their B-game - and then the sheer arrogance with which they ended the contest by early knockout - left fans somewhat shortchanged. They snuffed out the challenge in the first half of the third quarter with six goals in 10 minutes, including five in seven minutes.
St Kilda's 'beasts' hunted down by Cats
... Sadly for the Saints, competitiveness doesn't necessarily equal class, and of that, there emerged an ever-widening gap between these two teams ... St Kilda can take some consolation from the fact a margin that, at one stage, looked headed for the 12-goals-plus mark ended up only seven. But it will get little from the burst of six Geelong goals in only 11 minutes that turned a still competitive match into a cakewalk. All that did was underline the gap between these two teams, one clearly far greater than pre-season predictions had counted on.
Lyon: Tall strategy under fire
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has conceded it's time to rethink his team's tall forwards strategy in the wake of Saturday's 42-point loss to Geelong at Telstra Dome. The Saints' three big guns, Nick Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke and Fraser Gehrig managed to score eight of their team's 13 goals between them against the Cats, but Lyon was more concerned about the lack of team defence inside the forward 50. "I think clearly, (the three talls system) is under pressure, it's under pressure," Lyon told his post-match media conference. "We've got to improve our forward 50 pressure, everyone knows that … and we'll look at that. The last two weeks the opposition has scored too easily so our team defence from the front 50 to the midfield to the back end needs to improve, and quickly." Otherwise, Lyon was upbeat about the Saints' performance, noting that their two defeats so far this season had been at the hands of unbeaten teams sitting atop the ladder. "Not taking our opportunities early put some scoreboard pressure on and then in the second quarter they really got to work … there was a significant swing from quarter to quarter and that's what we're trying to understand because the plans don't change but the results did," Lyon said.

Round 4 Pre-GameBack to Post-Game
Cats hard to beat at the Dome
St Kilda might be one of Telstra Dome's original co-tenants and Geelong might be based 75 kilometres away at the windswept Skilled Stadium but you could hardly call the Saints' clash with the Cats this Saturday at Docklands a home game for Ross Lyon's side. Geelong might only play at the Dome a handful of times a year while the Saints have a staggering 14 games at the pristine, indoor venue this season yet it is the reigning premier that is building one of the most imposing records imaginable at Telstra Dome ... If the fact that Mark Thompson's side has won 22 of its past 23 matches is not daunting enough then try this stat - in their past seven matches at Telstra Dome the Cats have won by an average of 78 points. However, Thompson is adamant his side's exciting game style is not more suited to Telstra Dome - where games are always played in perfect conditions - than any other AFL venue across Australia.
Matthew Scarlett keen to tame tall St Kilda forwards
Geelong defender Matthew Scarlett admits St Kilda's potent forward set-up will be a good early-season test for the in-form Cats' defence this afternoon. The top-of-the-ladder Geelong takes on the Saints at Telstra Dome. The two sides have enjoyed a healthy rivalry in recent seasons. The All-Australian full back said he knows that nullifying the Saints' big guns in attack will be crucial to ensuring the Cats' unbeaten start to the season continues. "While they have a lot of players capable of causing damage, some serious planning will go into their three high-quality forwards, Fraser Gehrig, Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke," Scarlett wrote in his weekly column on gfc.com.au. Scarlett said he expected to have Gehrig as his opponent. When the sides met at Telstra Dome in round 10 last year, the two-time Coleman medallist was held to two goals as Geelong belted the Saints by 10 goals. "He's a pretty interesting character and a tough guy to play on," Scarlett said of Gehrig. "He doesn't usually say a lot, although he does wander around behind the posts and say g'day to the crowd occasionally. I generally just stand out in front of him and let him do his own thing. But as soon as the ball bounces, you've definitely got to be on your toes as he's one guy who can really get St Kilda going."
Riewoldt and Voss are the ideal leadership team
Without A doubt, Nick Riewoldt has to be the Gold Coast Australian Football Club's No. 1 target over the next few years. He recently dismissed the idea of returning to the Coast and St Kilda are doing everything to shield him from being enticed and lured away. Nick obviously is an elite player but for me he is also a terrific leader and person -- the type to build a winning club culture around. In terms of other recruiting, the club will need to spend hard to attract the right personnel -- young men with strong character and the potential to be consistent performers over seven to 10 years. The difficulty, though, in securing this type of player is that clubs will pay whatever they need to to hold on to them which means they either don't come, or if they do decide to move they will cost a fortune.
Saints recall Maguire
St Kilda defender Matt Maguire will end five months of frustration tomorrow when he plays his first game of the year. The Saints last night named Maguire in their squad to tackle Geelong at Telstra Dome after he finally overcame a foot problem that has plagued him since November. The 23-year-old had been suffering from stress fractures in his left foot, a complication from a broken leg in 2006. St Kilda football manager Matthew Drain said Maguire's quality and experience would be vital against the Cats. "We wanted to give him about a month of match practice considering he missed a lot of the pre-season and he's got that now and been good and got through so he's ready to go," Drain said. Former Swan Sean Dempster has been named for his first game for the Saints, while Raphael Clarke and Jarryn Geary were dropped. Geelong brought back Ryan Gamble after the promising youngster missed with a virus last week.
Saints ready to answer critics, says Ball
St Kilda midfielder Luke Ball has told detractors not to get carried away after his side's 38-point loss to the Western Bulldogs last Friday. "It's actually the first loss we've had this year," he was quick to point out. Ball also defended teammates Nick Dal Santo and Robert Harvey, who came in for plenty of criticism after last week's loss. "People can tend to jump on the people who get the positive write-ups as well so I know those guys have taken it on the chin and I've got no doubt they'll respond this week," he said ... Ball was unable to explain much of last week's poor performance, other than a loss of momentum after his team had run out to a 38-point lead in the first quarter. "I think in the first quarter we were very instinctive and we used (the ball) very well and we got it down there quick ... and then for some reason they got their game together, but we stopped a little bit," he said. But, Ball said, he and his teammates were looking forward to answering their critics when they take on Geelong at Telstra Dome tomorrow. "Games against them have been pretty competitive in the past, and they've probably taken that extra step over the last couple of years, so we'll have another chance to see really where we're at," Ball said.
How I would attack the Cats: Grant Thomas
First and foremost I would not consider any player that is not 100% fit and ready to endure the challenge. I would wait on Maguire. St Kilda will not meet Geelong again this year until finals so it would be good to keep something up your sleeve for next time. Gehrig needs to take Scarlett up the ground, wide and away from the last line of defence – effectively play a decoy role – but using his experience and guile to score a couple of goals and set a couple more up. It would be good if he can also provide some verbal and physical attention to divert Scarlett's attention and focus. Koschitzke and Riewoldt to rotate from goal square to dangerous spot 35 metres out from goal. Their synergy and ability to work cohesively together will be very important. Milne must always be driving towards the marking contest and be front and square to defensive spoils. It is imperative he does not fly past the contest empty handed. It is equally important for him not to be deep and in a “receiving” position as this is when the Saints forward structure can sometimes become dysfunctional. A starting position on the wing driving forward at centre bounces is ideal. I would play Schneider on the wing and ask that he and Milne make surreptitious changes at clearances between the arcs. They are both adept as a crumbing forward and midfielder. King and Gardiner to rotate in the ruck. I would set King against Blake and keep Gardiner for West. This will create a competitive challenge for both ruckmen – especially King who can put the debate of last year's Grand Final to rest - and give them an accountability focus.
Bouncing back, Saints close ranks
... "We've played six games so far this year and we've played three bad quarters of footy, so hopefully this was an aberration," Nick Riewoldt said. Riewoldt said the Saints would have to get tougher and show a greater effort across the board to beat the Cats at Telstra Dome on Saturday. "Clearly we need to be a lot harder and we need to win more contested ball. Effort is the key every week in football. You can't expect to win games of AFL football, with it being so competitive, without sustained effort. (Geelong) are the benchmark of the competition, we've got nothing but total respect for them, but that being said we're confident going into this week we can match it with them." The 25-year-old also dismissed suggestions that the Saints' forward line could not sustain the three-pronged attack of himself, Justin Koschitzke and Fraser Gehrig. "I don't think anyone was questioning whether it would work at quarter-time on Friday night," he said.
'Jack Barker Oval' - now official
Scores of well-wishers and past teammates packed Cheltenham Football Club's social rooms on Sunday to pay tribute to a local sporting legend. When they arrived, they were entering the Cheltenham Recreation Reserve, but when they left, they were leaving the newly named Jack Barker Oval. The ground where the Rosellas have strutted their stuff since 1909 will now carry the name of one of their most beloved sons. Jack Barker, father of late St. Kilda champion Trevor, is a life member of both the cricket and football clubs and Sunday's honour came after a concerted campaign by the two clubs to have their hallowed turf named in Jack's honour. And despite a recent bout of ill-health, Jack was back at his favourite haunt, watching the Rosellas' practice match against Ringwood from his window seat ... The St. Kilda Football Club was there in force for their old mate, with CEO Archie Fraser and President Greg Westaway accompanying a large group of senior players that included captain Nick Riewoldt and duel Brownlow Medallist Robert Harvey.
Too early to write off super veterans
I Can't recall an AFL player, regardless of status or standing, given a cast-iron guarantee of his position in the team. The most discussed rumour was that of high-flying business Christopher Skase supposedly insisting Warwick Capper never be dropped from the Brisbane Bears, when he ran proceedings. But as far as rational football people are concerned, it doesn't happen ... Players are selected on their capacity to meaningfully contribute to the team's success. Now, and in the future ... Robert Harvey, Fraser Gehrig and David Neitz know exactly how they will be judged this season. Only when you know what their clubs expect of them can you form a balanced opinion about them. Three rounds in may be a touch too early to put a line through any of them. Harvey first copped before the season started. After 19 games last year and his seventh best and fairest, he had reason to press on. Harvey is more devoid of ego than any other player I have known and his primary consideration when deciding on a 21st season would have been "team -- am I still capable of being a valuable contributor in today's game"? He's well qualified to know the answer.
Lay off Saints midfielders: Riewoldt
St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt has called on critics to lay off midfielders Nick Dal Santo and Robert Harvey following Friday night's 38-point loss to the Western Bulldogs ... But Riewoldt said the duo should not be singled out when analysing the Saints' defeat. "Robert Harvey wasn't the reason St Kilda lost on Friday night, Nick Dal Santo wasn't the reason St Kilda lost on Friday night," Riewoldt said. "It was a poor team effort and we know that and we're going to turn it round this week." Riewoldt said the Saints must be better at winning the contested football if it is to topple reigning premiers Geelong at Telstra Dome on Saturday.
Marching out of tune
There are times when a beaten team loses more than the premiership points. Friday night was one. St Kilda's loss to the Western Bulldogs not only cost the Saints status as a premiership chance, but exposed major structural problems at Moorabbin - on the field this time. The Saints simply don't stack up against any of the (other) apparent premiership contenders in their current configuration. They have a midfield that is chronically short of zip and penetration, a forward set-up that, while capable, is unreliable, and a defence short on class and strength. Coach Ross Lyon and his lieutenants have to address the roles of several players, principally Nick Riewoldt, Fraser Gehrig, Nick Dal Santo, Luke Ball, Robert Harvey and Stephen Milne. Riewoldt is the team's best player, yet seems to be struggling, and uncomfortable, in a forward set-up built on the marking strength of himself, Gehrig and Justin Koschitzke. It's as if he is not sure where and when to go, often finding himself up on a wing in search of kicks. Lyon has to address the issue of whether the three big boys can work in harmony - and statistics say that's a legitimate query - or whether to base his forward set-up on Riewoldt as full-forward, and find a balance round him. Gehrig is 32 and playing season No. 14 simply because personal plans didn't work out for him in Europe over summer. While he kicked 59 goals from 20 games last year, he kicked 22 in four games against Carlton and Richmond, and a further eight against Fremantle late in the season, when the Dockers were out of contention. His solitary goal on Friday night came from a free kick.
Bring on Cats, say the Saints
There is no other team against St Kilda would rather test its resolve on Saturday than Geelong, Saint defender Xavier Clarke said after the team's Friday night capitulation ... "It's not going to be an easy game for us this week and that's good. Coming off a touch-up like that, you sometimes feel like playing a lesser side that won't give you much of a contest," said (Xavier) Clarke. "We know we're coming up against the best (this) week and it's a great challenge for us to regroup straight away and see how we measure up and just concentrate a bit better. The disappointing thing was that the Bulldogs didn't really surprise us. We'd studied them and they did what we thought they'd do. We knew even after at quarter-time that they'd play on and take risks, but we still let them beat us so easily. It's something to have a think about and, hopefully against Geelong we can get our hands on the ball a bit more and make them think a bit" ... Lyon felt his team was "annihilated" around the ball and nominated Clint Jones, Charlie Gardiner, Sean Dempster and David Armitage as possible inclusions against the Cats ... With Geelong No. 1 ruckman Brad Ottens sidelined by injury, it creates the likelihood of the Cats' Mark Blake and Saints' Steven King going head-to-head for most of Saturday's match.
Midfield collapse proves costly for Saints
St Kilda has identified an obliterated midfield as the reason for its collapse against the Western Bulldogs and will keep faith with veteran full-forward Fraser Gehrig and its three-pronged tall forward set up against Geelong. While there has been much focus on the performances of Gehrig, who was talked back out of retirement over summer, and questions have been raised about whether three 193 centimetre-plus players can co-exist in one forward line, the Saints see their problems lying elsewhere. The St Kilda brains trust has pinpointed the fact that it was blown away by the Bulldogs - the team it once exposed for size and strength - in the midfield contests. The extent of the midfield collapse is borne out in the contested ground ball statistics. The Bulldogs won the disputed ball 68 times to St Kilda's 44 in the midfield - a staggeringly lopsided count, a tribute to the Bulldogs' new found hardness and an indictment on the midfield performance of St Kilda. Former Swan Sean Dempster is set to be recalled to the side to bolster the club's running depth, with ex-Cat Charlie Gardiner also a chance to be brought back to play against his old club. Clint Jones, who played for the Casey Scorpions on the weekend, is also a potential inclusion, and would add pace to a team that was out-run and out-bustled against the red-hot Dogs. Ruckman Michael Gardiner, who missed with a minor calf strain, should be fit enough to resume, but, given the former Eagles' history of repeated injuries, the Saints are considering taking a conservative course with Gardiner and giving him another week off. Raphael Clarke and Justin Geary are understood to be under pressure to retain their spots.
Saints have Lyon's share of problems
Win, lose or draw, the lessons come quickly for football coaches. Ross Lyon's Saints won six games in a row, including the NAB Cup games, before they fell in a heap last Friday night. After a scintillating start, the Saints stopped to a walk. The worry for Lyon is that he has problems all over the field. The good news is that he has time to fix it. Playing three tall forwards is fine, if the team is winning the clearances and pumping the ball forward quickly. If it is not, as happened in the last three quarters against the Western Bulldogs, changes have to be made. Justin Koschitzke plays well in the ruck and short bursts there would help get him and his team going. His five disposals in the last 90 minutes of play were a waste. Nick Riewoldt gets more attention than any other Saint. In the middle of the game, he touched the ball three times in 50 minutes. A run on the ball or the wing would release the shackles and maximise his athleticism. The G-Train, Fraser Gehrig, has to stay inside the forward 50. His opponents like to run off him to drag him upfield. Instead of choofing off after them, Gehrig should be encouraged to play Russian roulette, hold his post and be used on the rebound. In essence, the tall forwards, one of the Saints' biggest strengths, can be a major weakness unless they are handled more efficiently. "Should the Saints have kept Gehrig in retirement?," is a question many people ask. I think they made the correct call in welcoming him back. Few teams have three quality tall defenders, and that is what's needed when you play St Kilda. Gehrig will always attract a quality opponent, and that helps Riewoldt and Koschitzke. Last year, the Train led the Saints' goalkicking with 59 from his 20 games. If he averages three goals a game this season, and I think he will, it will be a decision for the good.