News and Views

A page devoted to things about the Saints, what's happening, and some of my own comments (love 'em or hate 'em -it's just my opinion)

State of the Saints:
With only a few weeks to go until the serious end of the season I wouldn't be alone among Saints supporters to be feeling nervous.  There's been a noticeable turn in attitude and on field performance in the past month or so.  And curiously the off field antics of some of the younger members of the Saints team is starting to come under scrutiny.  It is rumoured that senior players are becoming increasinlgy frustrated with the party animals in the team, as they understand that their chances of a premiership are running out.  It's time for the Saints to get back the spirit of 1997 and lift in the next few weeks.  Party time comes in September!!  Let's do it Saints.  7/8/98

State of Origin:
A lot has been written about State of Origin in the past week, most of it negative.  Now I'm just a simple supporter, you know the kind that the AFL takes absolutely no notice of these days, but here's my two bob's worth.
I like State of origin footy, but only when the Vics kick those bloody South Australians.   Allies - who cares?  Try playing the Big V and the Croweaters as the curtain raiser at the grand final - what a curtain raiser!! but not in the middle of the season, its a crap time to play with players and suporters more concerned with the run home to September, and rightly so.  7.7.98

Stan the man reaches 100:
Coach Stan Alves reached his milestone of coaching the Saints in their 100th game last night in Perth.  Achieving the same record as former coach Ken Sheldon (who Stan replaced in 1994) Stan has produced some great results - particularly in the past couple of years, and following the turmult of leaving Moorabbin.  His record stand at:
Games     100
Wins         48
Draws        1
Losses        51
Of the 34 coaches to have lead the Saints only three  coaches have survived  for more than three years, Stan, Ken and Alan Jeans.  And lookinh back to round 5 last year who would have thought Stan would make it through last season, let alone being named Coach of the Year, and taking his charges from bottom to top in just 18 rounds of football.  Great effort Stan!!  23.5.98

Jones warned - shape up or.....:
The Saints match committee has warned Aussie Jones to refocus his efforts and lift his game or risk being dropped to the reserves.  The exciting winger has a blossoming career in the media (radio and TV) and reportedly loves the night club scene.   Meanwhile his on field performances have been disappointing this season.  On Satuday night he spent 30 minutes on the bench and if he doesn't heed Stan's advice ccould find himself out of the firsts for a while.
Stan is reported to have said that he has no problem with Aussie capitalising on his popularity, but he shouldn't forget why he is popular - because of football, and that's where his commitment needs to be.
I couldn't agree more, knuckle down son.  The last thing we need is more tranny pictures of Aussie in the papers.19/5/98

Plympton makes his point:
The disappointing turn out for the Saints match against Port Adelaide was siezed on by club president Andrew Plympton yet again.  Despite the Saints sharing top spot, on 24 points, only 20,000 supporters made the effort to turn out to Waverley Park.  The weather couldn't be blamed as conditions were dry and mild.
Plympton uses all such occasions to hammer another nail into the coffin of Waverely and plug the case for docklands.  Supporters who do not want to see the Saints move out of the South Eastern suburbs need to be aware that their non atttendance at games only adds fuel to Plympton's cause.  17/5/98

All Sainters:
Visiting Melbourne last week English pop group All Saints were quick to jump on the St Kilda bandwagon courtesy of Molly Meldrum.  Posters of the All Saints proudly supporting the Saints are available from the club.

A crappy day at Waverley:
I love my football, and I love watching the Saints.  But I despair at seeing this team play below their potential.  Last Sunday I screamed and hollered and felt the passion of seeing the Saints come from behind to beat the Eagles.  It was magnificent.  This week I felt like I had been transported back to the dark days of Moorabbin when sloppy play and wooden spoons were the norm for the Saints.  My young daughters don't know what it is like to see St Kilda get beaten, they just expect them to win, and rightly so because they can.  The Lions are a crap team and deserve to be sitting near the bottom of the AFL ladder, but they just beat the Saints.  Just what that says I'm not sure.  So get stuck into them Stan.  The boys should feel some shame in playing such a poor game.  Lets fire up and get back on track.  Next week it's Port Power and like the Lions they are crap.  The Saints are looking for a percentage lift (having never recovered from the flogging they received by Essendon) and the Power might just be the team to give it to them.

Spider Spooked:
Many thought the rumours of the Phantom of Mount Eliza were just that - rumour.   but evidence that has just surfaced indicates at least one well known Saint has crossed paths with the scary creature.  "Boring" is a word often used to describe the Mornington Peninsula town of Mt Eliza, but now its crawling with latter day ghost busters all of whom are looking for the culprit - the fiendish, devilish phantom that so upset Saint Peter Everitt that his hair changed colour.  "We all hope that Spider recovers his nerve and gets back to normal" said an optimistic Stan Alves "although none of us here really know what normal is for Spider, but right now he's delirious and really, really - well blonde if you know what I mean" he added.   30.4.98

Rattle them tins:
For all Saint supporters visitng Waverley next Sunday for the Carlton clash, there will be the opportunity to dig deep for the Trevor Barker Foundation.  The Trevor Barker Foundation provides support for kids with cancer and is named in honour of the great Saint player who passed away in 1996.  Hope you can find a gold coin for the tin rattlers.  19.4.98

Barry Hall says "G'day Mate!" toTony Wood (Hawthorn) on Saturday 18/4/98

What a difference a year makes:
It's just 12 months since Stan Alves was under the hammer following a terrible start to the season, and immediatly after a 97 point flogging at Brisbane.   The hounds were baying for his blood.  At the same time the hounds had a hapless Neal Balme (Coach - Melbourne) in their sights.  Round 5 1997 and the two coaches met face to face and Stand's boys performed flawlessly.  It was that fateful day that saw Stan go on to lead the Saints from 15th position (just percentage above Melbourne) to minor premiers, and a place in the Grand Final.  Meanwhile Balme lost his job...
The hounds are out again and this time it seems John Northey (Brisbane Lions) and Ken judge (Hawthorn) are the quarrie.  19.4.98

Milestones:
A number of Saints reach milestones this week with Luke Beveridge and Justin Peckett about to play their 100th senior game.  Saint Stewie Loewe is close to kicking his 500th goal.
Last Saturday's game against the Crows saw Aussie Jones and Nathan Burke pass their 50th consecutive senior game - great effort, huh? 16.4.98

Plympton on Waverley:
Andrew Plympton, Saints President, is quoted as saying the wet weather coast the club $80,000 dollars in lost gate receipts yesterday.  This is because the club had budgetted for a crowd of 35,000 and only 20,000 turned up.  Quoted as saying if the game had been played at the MCG or Docklands, this wouldn't have happened, Plympton hammered another nail in the coffin of Waverley.  The comment that supporters demand to watch in comfort assumes that Waverley does not offer that, and supposes that comfort does not include time taken to travel to a game. 
A flawed assumption, I would think.
Comfort for me, and many other Saints supporters certainly includes the convenience of getting to the game, the cost of a seat, the availability of car parking, as well as being able to keep dry.  There is no guarantee that on a cold and wet wintery day in Melbourne, that I would have made the effort to go the the city to watch the game.
It seems that Plympton is well set on the move to relocate the Saints (again) even if this is at the cost of loyal supporters.  Take the time to talk to and listen to the members, Plympton, and you may appreciate the feeling on this issue.  13.4.98

Kung foolish?
Rumour has it the Saints spent up to 4 hours training with a martial arts (thats martial not marital) specialist today.  Story on 3AW Sports Today program reports that Stan the man had his boys tuned into some eastern energy for some body centering and mind strengthening in anticipation of Sunday's game against the Crows.  If all else fails a short chop to the saladas could work!!

Sheeds whinges -Crows warning:
Cripes, Sheeds is a whinger.  Following the AFL decision that there was no case for the Saints to answer after Barnard was laid out last weekend, Bomber coach Kevin Sheedy continues to play the media with complaints of St Kilda's centre tactics "playing the man".  Deftly attempting to paint a picture of the Saints as a team of thugs pinging his star players at each ruck contest Sheedy's message appears to have reached the Adelaide media.  In a "warning" from the Crows camp the Saints are warned not to try similar tactics against their boys this Sunday.
What a load of crap.  Sheed's team played the centre perfectly last week and the Saints miserably - that's why they won so comfortably, so get a dog up ya Sheeds.   As far as Adelaide is concerned it will be a pleasure to see a fired up St Kilda bounce back and kick the living crap out of them.  If one or two of their players get "pinged" in the process - so much the better. 9/4/98

No charges:
The AFL announced today that there were no charges to be answered by any St Kilda player following the knock out of Bomber Paul Barnard on Sunday.  Saints Wakelin can breath easily 8/4/98

Dazza investigated:
News just to hand is that umpire Goldspink has requested the AFL investigate a behind the play incident involving Saint Darryl Wakelin and Bomber Paul Barnard.  The incident saw Barnard out cold and stretchered off the ground in the third quarter of the round two game at the MCG.  There is no doubt that Barnard had been niggling at Dazza all game and one radio commentator is reported to have said that he wouldn't stand for the treatment Barnard was dishing out.  Shortly after that Barnard was carried from the ground.  Personally I didn't see the incident, and no report was isued at the time.   Did anyone see what happened???   6/4/98

Banger just bruised:
Following a brutal collision with Michael Mansfield in the 4th minute of the round one clash against Geelong, it was feared that Brownlow medalist Robert Harvey had sustained broken ribs.  X-Rays and a thorough examination have revealed that the worst fears have not been realised, and Banger is suffering severe bruising to cartilage in his chest, only.   This, unfortunately places doubts on his ability to resume his position with the Saints in the round 2 game against Essendon next Sunday.  30/3/98

Saints ready for Round 1:
No Grand Final hangovers at Moorabbin this week as the team make final preparations for the round one clash against Geelong at Waverley.  With no injuries to worry about Stan the Man has a full list to choose from and expect to hit Geelong hard on Saturday. I can't remember the last time we played Geelong at Waverley, and it's been a long time since the Saints beat them too.  So supporters will be out in force for the season opener, which will undoubtedly see the Saints victorious.  Go Saints!!  24/3/98

Membership boom:
Meanwhile membership is booming with the target of 22,000 members expected to be achieved this weekend.  Riding on the back of a successful 1997 and a great start to 1998, Sainters are putting their hands in their pockets to get behind the Saints.  If you haven't got your membership yet, check out the membership details page and call the club.  It's in your hands...  24/3/98

Stars make the starting line:
Despite Stan Alves stating that tonight's Ansett Cup Grand Final is "just another practise match" stars Nathan Burke and Robert Harvey have declared trhemselves 100% fit and will play.  Jason Heatley will miss the game as a result of a hip injury.  Bazza Hall, having completed his supsension will also take to the field.  Saints supporters are expected to turn out in force as most tipsters are picking a North Melbourne victory. I reckon they're wrong - but I could be biased, the thought of watching the Saints lose two Grand Finals in 6 months is causing some stress in the GoSaints household. For those who can't make the game, channel 7 will cover it live tinoght from 8.30pm EDST.  Drop back tomorow for a run down on the game.   21/3/98

Saints in training for Ansett Cup Grand Final:
Saints are working hard to prepare for the 1998 Ansett Cup Grand Final.  Some doubts still exist over players with injuries: Banger Harvey has a bruised calf following last Saturday's clash with Melbourne, Jason Heatley has hip soreness, Nathan Burke is still recovering from shoulder injury, and Frankie Peckett, Rocket Keogh and Andrew Thompson are training lightly with general post match soreness.
Coach Alves is unlikley to risk his star players in the Ansett Cup with round 1 of the season only one week away.  Meanwhile Daryl Wakelin is probably due to line up on Wayne Carey again.  In the preliminary final last year, Wakelin took Carey out of the game in a great defensive performance.
While most tipsters are going with North, this little sainter says bullshit, The Saints all the way, and I'll be there.....will you?  18/3/98

Saints Semi Final appearance:
St Kilda play Melbourne at Waverley on Saturday night (14/3/98).  This will be Jamie Shanahan's first appearance against his former team and it will be interesting to see how the Saints supporters react to him. 
A win in this game willl see St Kilda battle North Melbourne, (following their win against the Brisbane Lions), in the Ansett Cup Grand Final.  Lets hope for a big crowd and Go Saints!!!  13/3/98

White maggots threaten strike:
AFL umpires threatening to strike unless the AFL comes to the table with and offer of improved contract and pay conditions.  Who cares...

Swinburn tips the Saints in 98:
The honourable professors at Swinburn University Computer Engineering School have released their their final footy ladder for season 1998.  After programming all known variables, and based on 20 years experience, the supercomputer has predicted St Kilda for the premiership and top spot this year.  For the record, Hawthorn finished last with Melbourne hot on their heels.

Big Bad Bazza in the news.....again!
Bary Hall makes the news again, this time over an alleged altercation with a man in Broadford, Victoria.  Responding to what Baz's mother described as provocation, being that the man attempted to run Baz down a few nights ago, Baz allegedly decked the bloke and broke a few pieces of him. 
St Kilda officials are apparently investigating Baz's on and off field antics and are attempting to find the reason for Baz lack of aggression during the Grand Final.   Personally I love it, and Baz is a great addition to the Saints.  Kick 'em Baz, just don't get pinged (again).

Players draft:
St Kilda had three draft opportunities in yesterday's players draft, but chose to select only one player - Mathew Carr from WAFL club East Fremantle.  As expected ex Saints Shanahan was drafted by Melbourne, and the injured Joel Smith was picked up by Hawthorn.
Team list for the coming season is:Kristian Bardsley, Luke Beveridge, Tony Brown, Nathan Burke, Brad Campbell, Mathew Car, Brett Cook, Glen Coghlan, Brent Cowell, Sam Cranage, Jason Crips, Jayson Daniels, Jamie Elliot, Tim Elliot, Peter Everitt, Lucas Fleming, Ryan Grinter, Barry Hall, Robert Harvey, Daniel Healy, Jason Heatley, Max Hudghton, Austinn Jones, Rod Keogh, Brett Knowles, Andrew Lamb, Mathew Lamb, Stewart Loewe, Gavin Mitchell, Joe McLaren, Justin Peckett, David Sierakowski, Steven Sziller, Andrew Thompson, Ben Thompson, Jason Traianidis, Daryl Wakelin, Shane Wakelin, Ben Walton, Nicky winmar, Matthew Young.  More details on the 98 Saint wil be published soon, so come back again!

Grand Final drug bust?:
Radio station 3AW broke the news this morning (19/2/98) (David Hookes) that a player from the 1997 Grand Final was about to be charged with use of steroids.  Later AFL CEO Wayne Jackson vigorously denied this was the case and subsequently 3AW have retracted the story.   Huge sigh of relief from Saints supporters who realised that, if it were true, it must have been one of those bastard Crows.

Grand Final 2001 - Sydney??:
So AFL is a National game, but who wants to see the GF in Sydney.  Not this little Sainter that's for sure.  Lets tell 'em to piss off - its our game and our GF, they are already hosting Melbourne's Olympics, that's enough of our charity for another hundred years.

Barry Hall - out for 3 weeks
Baz was suspended yesterday (17/2/98) after the AFL Tribunal decided that his clash with Richmond's Michael Gale was deliberate and worth a 3 week lay off.  Cited for kneeing Gale in the back Bazza will not play for the Saints in all Ansett Cup matches (assuming the Saints make it through to the Grand Final) except the final.  If St Kilda do not progress through the Ansett Cup knock out, Hall will miss valuable home and away, premiership, games. Bewdy Baz.

Jason Heatley - Charges dropped
The Heater was charged following an opening quarter altercation with Western Bulldogs Matthew Robbins on during  a pre season game on 21/2/98. Robbins was taken from the ground immediately after the incident, but returned later.  Heater went on to score 6 goals for the Saints, however, the Bulldogs won 18.22.130 to 12.11.83.   Later in the week Heater was cleared of the charge and is free to play in the opeing game of the Ansett Cup Competition against Port Adelaide on Friday 27/2/98.

Big Bad Bazza pictured outside the AFL tribunal 17/2/98

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Comments offered by The G@Zman - its just an opinion - no harm in it.