St Kilda Saints News

Steven Baker is expected to return from a 9-week suspension in time for the finals despite reportedly fracturing a bone in his foot.

"He'll play next week in a scratch match. He'll run tomorrow and train and the aim is for him to play next week," Saints coach Ross Lyon said.

"That's the plan and we're confident it will happen. I was more confident - he would have been under no doubt picked to play but we'll need to see with that little hiccup he's had how he's going."

After a 94-point thrashing at the hands of St Kilda, Port Adelaide ruckman Dean Brogan says the players want to finish the season strongly to make sure caretaker coach Matthew Primus is appointed as coach for season 2011.

"We want to finish off well for the club and for our supporters, but we really want Matty to stay around and we need to show the club and the board members that we want to play under him," Brogan said.

St Kilda senior assistant coach Stephen Silvagni says he will leave his role at the Saints to pursue other opportunities at the end of the season.

"I just think it's time," Silvagni said.

"I've really enjoyed my time here. St Kilda and Ross gave me the opportunity to be a full-time assistant; they've been fantastic."

St Kilda midfielder is hopeful the surface at Etihad Stadium can be improved after finding it to be "a little too slippery" against Hawthorn.

"It was interesting. Personally I love playing there. I think it is a great stadium and as a team we've played really well there over the past few seasons. It was definitely slippery and I suppose as a player you just want to know that if something can be done about it that it is going to be done," Hayes said.

"If there is any way they can improve it over the next couple of weeks, you'd like to think they are doing everything they can to do that."

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon was delighted with skipper Nick Riewoldt's comeback after 11 matches out with a torn hamstring.

"It puts everyone more at ease," Lyon said.

"It's great for football; I think we love our great players on the paddock and he just happens to be one who plays for St Kilda. Clearly he makes us a better team but I thought we kicked to him way too often early."

Sydney forward Ryan O'Keefe says he supports the decision by the match review panel to suspend Steven Baker for 12 weeks for engaging in illegal harrassment of Geelong forward Steve Johnson.

"That sort of stuff in the game, you can't tolerate and you [must] protect the ball players. If you're going to be a good player, you shouldn't have to fear someone just belting you all day," O'Keefe.

"I think the AFL's made the correct decision and I think we've got to stamp that out."

St Kilda's Steven Baker will miss the next nine weeks after he accepting an early guilty plea for all three striking charges.

The Saints challenged a misconduct offence for unnecessary contact with an injured player in Geelong forward Steve Johnson but failed to overturn the verdict.

Steven Baker's father reacts angrily to the AFL's decision to hand down a 12-week suspension on his son.

"He's absolutely shattered ... what's the next penalty? Going to the electric chair?" Greg Baker said to the Herald Sun.

Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas says the AFL has been out to get Steven Baker since 2006.

"They can deny it as much as they like, but if the AFL can look the public and the clubs and the players in the eye and categorically deny they didn't give advice or influence or direction to the match review panel, I will go he," Thomas said.

"Either the match review panel has second-guessed the AFL and said, 'We better do something or we will lose our jobs', or the AFL has said, 'There is a little bit too much of this going on, so you better make a statement'. There is no other explanation for the gross inconsistency."

After various indiscretions against Geelong's Steve Johnson, St Kilda's Steven Baker faces a record 12-week ban handed down by the match review panel which can be reduced to nine games on an early guilty plea.

Off-season Saints recruit Jesse Smith's career is in jeopardy after being placed on the long-term injury list due to persistent ankle problems in his first year at St Kilda.

Brendon Goddard speaks to the Herald Sun about his devastation at losing the 2009 Grand Final to Geelong.

"You work so hard, you put in so much effort, physically and mentally, and to fall just short was deflating," Goddard said.

"It's tough talking about it. I don't enjoy it. Actually, I don't talk about it all. I dodge around the questions. I just don't want to have those feelings again because it hurts.

"Probably seeing their (the Cats') reaction as well hurts. That hurts the most. Because you then start saying, would've, could've, should've, buts and maybes."

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says another week of off-field controversy with the resurfacing of rape accusations against forward Stephen Milne's will only serve to galvanise the club.

"I speak to all my players. All those conversations are private. My support and care is for all the playing group," Lyon said.

"We've got 48 on the list and clearly there are a couple of players under the microscope here but they have our full support and we've encouraged them to continue to focus on their football."

The Herald Sun reports that rape charges against Saints star Stephen Milne were dropped after a detective investigating the case received threats from other police.

"There is a prima facie case still sitting there in that box at that office that should be answered by a jury," the detective said.

"Stephen Milne is an innocent person until he's proven guilty in a court of law. However, we never got that far, because the carriage of justice, or the natural flow of justice, was interrupted."

Andrew Lovett will receive an undisclosed six-figure sum from the saints as settlement for his dismissal from the club following a rape charge.

"This now ends all matters between St Kilda Football Club and Andrew Lovett," a spokesman from St Kilda said.

"The settlement has been welcomed by the AFL and the AFL Players' Association, who both assisted the parties to reach this resolution."

St Kilda goalsneak Stephen Milne says he has not spoken directly to the Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse since their much-publicised spat.

"I haven't tried to reach him. I got a written apology via email and that was about it. I forgive Mick for writing an apology, but that's in Mick's court now. He chose to write a letter and not ring," Milne said.

"It is out of my court. It has been dealt with, the AFL dealt with it, St Kilda and Collingwood dealt with it, so as far as I'm concerned we've moved on."

Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas says Saints small forward Stephen Milne still has major flaws in his game.

"Milney was always, and still is, the first to come to a party when things are going fantastic," Thomas said.

"He'll be there with bells on and he'll have the best time, but when the party turns ugly sometimes you've got to go looking for him.

"I just think Milney has low self-esteem and that's built up over the last few years. He has a very brash and very confident persona around people he knows, but he's got the nickname 'yapper' and a lot of that is a facade to build his confidence up."

Milne has kicked 403 goals to become the Saints' fifth-highest goalscorer leading current coach Ross Lyon to label him as one of the best small forwards in the game.

"It's the way he's getting his goals, he's really coming up at the ball," Lyon said.

"It's not just a goal at any cost, it's a goal within the team parameters - leading, crumbing and pressuring. He's a real team player and a real leader of the forward line, he's stood up under real pressure."

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says Stephen Milne, who will play in his 200th game against Fremantle, deserves to be mentioned alongside the greats that have played as small forwards.

"It is a special effort to play 200 games. For a small forward it is really tough, you try and identify the great ones. He certainly sits up around there somewhere," Lyon said.

"At the end of the day it's nice to have a few pots and discuss who was the best small forward. We value him internally, he's got great character, a wonderful family and they will be over there for the day."

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon urges critics to back off Justin Koschitzke, describing the pressure faced by the forward as 'ridiculous'.

"I wish I could control how much outside pressure people want to put on him. To be talking about draft picks 10 years later I think is fanciful and ridiculous. Even during the pre-season, the ridiculous amount of pressure he was put under about his NAB Cup performance is unfair," Lyon said.

"Again, we can't control it. I wish it would go away but it's not and he is a part of the St Kilda family."

St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt hopes to return sooner than expected from a serious hamstring injury sustained in round three.

"It's come forward. Initially it could have been anything from the season down to about 16 weeks. It's looking more like 12 now. It would be round 15-ish," Riewoldt told radio station Triple M.

St Kilda Ross Lyon remains confident that Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt is on track to return to captain the side later in the year..

"He is running at the higher end; he's not yet 100 per cent but he is certainly doing a lot of quality work and it's been pleasantly surprising because I've stepped away from it and got really good reports off the surgeon," Lyon said.

"We're really optimistic that Nick will be back in the latter third of the season."

Sacked Saint Andrew Lovett is recruited by East Perth which the WAFL club says was done as a favour to the former Royals junior.

"For us it's just about Andrew playing some football again, which is number one, and then to add a bit of quality for us and experience around the club," football manager Mark Winnett said.

"Getting him back to the thing that he does best and what he enjoys, and to a club where he has former friends and colleagues."

Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt says he is two weeks ahead of schedule in his recovery from a serious hamstring injury and is getting ready to resume running/jogging.

"That will start after four weeks as opposed to six," Riewoldt said on Triple M radio.

"I've got a bit to look forward to, which is good."

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says defender Zac Dawson is the obvious match-up for Barry Hall, despite the Bulldog's seven goals in their last encounter in the NAB Cup grand final.

"I think if you drill it down after the first quarter, Zac did a reasonably good job on Barry. He had one kick for two quarters," Lyon said.

"Zac is a capable full-back and he is the obvious match-up at this stage but we've got to get through training and finalise selection."

Lenny Hayes says Justin Koschitzke's return from suspension will strengthen St Kilda this weekend, particularly up forward where they are missing their injured captain Nick Riewoldt.

"We're obviously crying out for a tall target down there. We tried a few different things last week, and a few worked, but Kosi's a great player for us," Hayes said.

"I think every time he's been there, and Rooey (Riewoldt) has been out with injury, he's really taken that role on and played really well for us."

Stephen Milne again exchanged banter with an opposition coach, but Fremantle coach Mark Harvey insists there was nothing untoward in the exchange between Milne and Dockers assistant coach Dean Wallis.

"You know they're ex-teammates don't you?" Harvey said in the post-game press conference.

"Sometimes you come across people you've been involved with and you give them a wink or a laugh or a joke ... we're not too sanitized with all those sort of things are we?"

Injured St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt remains optimistic that he will be able to come back into the side in the second half of the season.

"[I've had] reassurance from the doctors and the surgeon that I'll be able to come back later in the year and have a good base before, potentially, finals", Riewoldt said.

"That's what it's all about for me at this stage of my career - playing finals and chasing that elusive premiership. I've still got an opportunity to do that this year providing the team is in [that] position."

Scans have revealed that St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt sustained a high-grade muscle tendon injury to his hamstring on Friday night.

"The tendon has not come off the bone, however it is a significant hamstring injury," a statement from the Saints read.

"The club will seek further opinion and conduct further investigations as to the best management options. At this stage the club is unsure as to how long Nick will be sidelined for."

St Kilda will lodge a formal complaint to the AFL after a spiteful quarter-time clash during their game against Collingwood game.

Magpies coach Mick Malthouse and forward Alan Didak were allegedly involved in an exchange of words with Saints forward Stephen Milne during the fraca.

"I would think now we are going to make a formal complaint, and it being investigated, I would think that the players involved and the club will do everything they can to be honest and give the right information so that it all comes out," St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna told Triple M.

St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt appears to have suffered a hamstring injury against Collingwood but Ross Lyon believes his injury is not as serious as many think.

"If I thought it was off the bone, you reckon I'd have half a smile on my face now?" Saints coach Ross Lyon said.

"He's a special player. All of the St Kilda people don't want to see him get hurt. We don't think it is that significant - we will let you know."

St Kilda's application to stay the grievance tribunal hearing on the Andrew Lovett case pending a criminal proceeding has been granted.

A decision on the matter will not be handed down until criminal proceedings against Lovett have concluded.

Ross Lyon says the club will cop a three-match ban on big man Justin Koschitzke for his hit on Sydney's Nick Malceski.

St Kilda forward Justin Koschitzke has been offered three weeks for engaging in rough conduct against Swan Nick Malceski.

Sydney coach Paul Roos is angered by Tadhg Kennelly being knocked unconscious by a late Zac Dawson spoil during the Swans' round 1 clash against St Kilda.

"I was expecting a 50m penalty. In the box we were all expecting a 50m penalty. Unless I've got the rules wrong, which obviously I have," Roos said.

Kennelly said he was still feeling the effects of the clash the day after.

"I'm sore all over ... I've got a big lump on my head," Kennelly said.

"I saw him coming ... so I tried to raise my leg and turn my body into him."

The media have been barred from a private grievance hearing between St Kilda, the AFLPA and Andrew Lovett's team.

Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt says his club's ongoing legal battle with sacked player Andrew Lovett hasn't affected the rest of the playing group.

"All I can say is the playing group are not distracted at all. We're focused on round one at this stage and the rest of the season that follows," he said.

"Every time there is a perceived distraction when people are looking at a football club from the outside, we use that an opportunity to focus on things that we can control."

Sacked Saint Andrew Lovett is heading back to the AFL grievance tribunal after a mediation process with St Kilda failed to resolve his bid for a $1 million cash settlement.

Lovett's lawyers are due to lodge papers with the AFL to have the grievance tribunal hear the case next week.

Saints defender Sam Fisher is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks with an ankle injury sustained in NAB Cup grand final.

A nine-hour mediation session on Friday failed to resolve the ongoing dispute between sacked Saint Andrew Lovett and his club.

"The claim made by Andrew Lovett's representatives was not something the club could reasonably agree to," St Kilda CEO Michael Nettlefold said.

"As our members, sponsors and other stakeholders would expect, we have obtained legal advice from independent expert employment law barristers who advised us that the club was legally entitled to terminate Andrew Lovett's employment contract."

Brendan Goddard says ex-kangaroo Jesse Smith is running pain-free ahead of first season for the Saints.

"He's got a month of running under his belt now," Goddard said.

"It's the first time in a year, or a couple of years, he's running pain-free and that's a real positive."

Rhys Stanley says that contrary to popular belief, he is a footballer first and not a basketballer despite his 202cm stature and quickness on the field.

"I've read it. I've heard it that many times myself and it gets to me because I only played two or three years of basketball," he says.

"I only started playing basketball at 16 and I played football from when I could walk.

"As soon as I was born, Dad had a footy in my hands."

St Kilda misses a meeting with Andrew Lovett's management saying that they are still waiting on the tribunal's written reasons for its decision to hear Lovett's grievance claim.

The Saints are understood to be keen to settle Lovett's claims in an independent mediation process instead.

"We think that last week's decision that Andrew Lovett was a player and he is subject to the grievance procedure was rock solid," AFLPA spokesman Jason Murnane said.

"We were surprised and we think [the grievance procedure] would be a more appropriate way to go forward than perhaps some of the other potential outcomes that are being talked about at the moment."

Brendon Goddard is expecting to spend more time in the St Kilda forward line this year.

"I guess that's the role that (coach) Ross (Lyon) sees me playing for the team this year, and I'm willing to do that," Goddard said.

"I guess one of my strengths is my flexibility. I play a role for the team, they may need me [up forward] from time to time, but in saying that, I might be down back. Things tend to change."

St Kilda must now consider its options after sacked player Andrew Lovett claimed clearance by the AFL to pursue his grievance with the club.

"St Kilda finds itself in this position because of the acts and omissions of Andrew Lovett, which we believe gave us no choice other than to dismiss," St Kilda vice-president Ross Levin said after the hearing.

"Andrew says it was not lawful to dismiss and we maintain that it was."

A grievance tribunal will sit tonight to decide if it will hear Andrew Lovett's claims against St Kilda centred around his $1 million contract.

St Kilda will argue that the hearing should not proceed given that Lovett is no longer an AFL-listed player following his recent sacking.

Brendon Goddard is critical of the surface at Etihad Stadium after playing against Collingwood in the NAB Cup on the ground.

"I'll be spending extra time in the ice bath tonight after playing on that ground," Goddard said.

"I think seeing a ground like that, it makes players more susceptible to injury. At the end of the day, as a footy club, we're willing to play anywhere and the AFL deemed it fit to play on. It was a lot softer than it actually looked."

Carlton has released a statement explaining that its VFL affiliate, the Northern Bullants is not interested in recruiting Andrew Lovett.

"We have spoken to the Bullants in relation to a media report that there may be some interest in recruiting Lovett and the Bullants confirmed there is no interest," Carlton chief executive Greg Swann said.

Andrew Lovett has faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court over a rape charge in a 90-second filing hearing. Lovett is next due in court for a committal mention on May 7.

St Kilda midfielder Lenny Hayes says the players have been unaffected by Andrew Lovett's sacking as they prepare for their first competitive hitout in 2010 against the Magpies in the NAB Cup.

"The thing about football is we've got a game this week and that's what the guys have been concentrating on," Hayes said.

"All pre-season you're getting ready for that first game."

Andrew Lovett's legal team says St Kilda's reasons for sacking the wayward forward is flimsy.

"There is an internal process under the collective bargaining agreement between the AFL and players association and we think that's the appropriate forum at this stage to pursue remedies for Andrew but there are a range of legal avenues available to him," Lovett's lawyer and former AFL umpire Derek Humphrey-Smith said.

"There hasn't been any action with the Supreme Court but that is one of a range of remedies available to Andrew because we consider St Kilda's actions are unlawful."

St Kilda has sacked Andrew Lovett after his rape charge, but coach Ross Lyon says due diligence was done.

"It was a thorough process. There were a couple of sit downs with me and the list manager (Matthew Drain) and with our senior players and we referenced a great deal of people from his previous football club," Lyon said.

"We were satisfied we had enough information clearly to make the decision to do it. We don't stand away from that, but in the events that have continued since then it is an unfortunate outcome."

A senior St Kilda official says the club's reputation has been hurt by the Andrew Lovett affair.

"We've already had feedback that it has hurt our reputation. We'd like to think we could rise above it," St Kilda vice-president Ross Levine told a press conference at Moorabbin.

"If it had continued on beyond this I think it would have continued to get worse. We've got members, sponsors, players, our general brand in the market place. It's association with someone who has been charged. Innocent before proven guilty but charged unfortunately does damage our reputation.

"We think we've done as best as we can as a club in this situation for everyone, for us, Andrew and the woman involved."

The St Kilda career of Andrew Lovett is over before it began, with the club terminating his contract after he was charged with one count of rape.

"These failures related to his training commitments and a failure to contact club officials in a situation where he should have done so," Saints CEO Michael Nettlefold said.

"We simply could not ignore such breaches. Nor could we ignore the damage being done to St Kilda's reputation and decided unanimously as a club to terminate Andrew Lovett's employment with the Saints."

St Kilda recruit Andrew Lovett has officially been charged with one count of rape.

The Saints said in a statement on Monday afternoon that it was considering its position in light of the latest development, but would make no further comment.

"We're acutely aware and painfully aware there is an alleged female victim in this and clearly as a professional player that is under investigation for a serious sexual assault," Saints coach Ross Lyon said.

"For me to go anywhere near this, I could prejudice or really not show the correct sensitivity to either person. So I'm really happy to leave that alone and you (the media) will respect that we shouldn't go anywhere near that."

Nick Riewoldt says Luke Ball initiated his move from St Kilda, and joined his coach in stating that the Saints have already moved on from his departure.

"With Ball, it was disappointing that he left. He was offered a contract and knocked it back and wanted to leave," Riewoldt told Triple M.

"I've spoken to Luke during the pre-season. I haven't spoken to him since yesterday when I said what I said. There is no simmering tension from my end. Luke is a player at another club now and I'm more focussed about us than I am about him."

St kilda midfielder Lenny Hayes denies rumours that he is suffering from a foot stress fracture.

"I've been running since Christmas and I haven't had any injury setbacks," Hayes said.

"I had some off-season surgery on the elbow but I've participated in pretty much everything up to this stage."

Nick Riewoldt has enjoyed an uninterrupted pre-season and will play in St Kilda's opening pre-season match.

"I haven't played an intra-club for four or five years, but I'll play next week and the week after barring anything unforseen", Riewoldt said at the club's community camp in Dromana.

"I think it's the best pre-season I've had in quite a few years. I'm really excited to get out there again and play with the guys."

Suspended St Kilda recruit Andrew Lovett has lodged a notice of grievance with St Kilda.

Adelaide assistant coach Mark Bickley predicts an improvement in attacking systems in 2010 as a response to last season's emphasis on defensive methods.

"I had a bit of a look last year and normally it tends to go from defence, then the offence catches up, then defence gets better," Bickley said.

"So last year I think you find it was more of a defensive year. I think St Kilda's had one of the best defences for the past six or seven years in terms of points against. I'd suggest there will be teams working at trying to get around that."

St Kilda is set to play young Irish recruit Tommy Walsh in the NAB Cup.

"The coach will make his mind up about that closer to the time, but it would be pretty exciting if we saw Tommy Walsh run out in Round 1 of the NAB Cup," St Kilda football manager Greg Hutchison said.

"He can play at either end of the ground and once he understands the nuances of the game, who knows where he's going to go with it all?"

Andrew Lovett finds support in the AFL Players' Association who are making enquiries into the nature of St Kilda's indefinite suspension of the former Bomber.

"The AFLPA is currently liaising with all the relevant parties to ascertain the precise nature of the suspension and its relationship with the collective instruments which regulate the employment of AFL players," AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis said.

"The AFLPA will continue to provide our support to Andrew Lovett, as he is entitled being a current member of the association. This necessarily involves ongoing dialogue with the various individuals and organisations involved."

St Kilda has confirmed that new recruit Andrew Lovett was interviewed by police on Wednesday over allegations made by a woman.

"St Kilda Football Club is aware that Saints player, Andrew Lovett, has been interviewed by Victoria Police today following an investigation into allegations made by a woman," the Saints said in a statement.

"Andrew has been released, pending summons application.

"The Saints understand the interest from the public and media, however at this time the club is not in a position to make any further comment until the investigations have concluded, as to whether or not Andrew will be charged with an offence."

The Herald Sun reports that Andrew Lovett has allegedly raped a woman while she slept in a teammate's room.

Victoria Police is investigating allegations made by a woman against new Saint Andrew Lovett, who has been barred from any involvement with his club.

"As a club, we are currently gaining a better understanding of these allegations and are treating this matter very seriously," Saints chief executive officer Michael Nettlefold said.

"We have suspended Andrew Lovett indefinitely. Andrew will not be involved with the club in any shape or form until a further decision is made."

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt says he will never forget the pain and disappointment of the Saints' Grand Final loss to Geelong.

"I don't think it is something you can ever get over," Riewoldt said.

"If we can rectify it and get to the same position and do that little bit better it can help, and that is what we are aiming for.

"Obviously we are not satisfied and we want that ultimate goal and dream. But I don't think it is something I will ever forget."

St Kilda has rewarded super-tagger Clint Jones for his outstanding form by handing over the famous No. 4 guernsey Darrel Baldock wore when captained the Saints to their only premiership in 1966.

Teenager Daniel Archer is looking forward to joining St Kilda after being picked up in the rookie draft and meeting Justin Koschitzke.

"He's one of the players I look up to and have modelled my game on," Archer said.

"It will be pretty good to meet him."

St Kilda has signed Brian Royal as a development coach for next season.

"The first thing I noticed was how professional this club is," Royal said about the Saints.

"The big eye opener to me has been how organised and professional the coaching staff are and it's a great environment to be in."

St Kilda's All-Australian duo Brendon Goddard and Leigh Montagna have signed new three-year deals with the club.

"It really builds on the plank of stability and the focus we are about, which is team success. Personally I couldn't be happier and it is a great sign of the contentment of the group, where the team is going and where the club is heading. I thank the boys for that," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said.

Sydney Swans defender Tadhg Kennelly says St Kilda's Irish recruit Tommy Walsh has the raw athleticism to match Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke.

"Tommy's a big, strong guy; he's a monster of a guy," Kennelly said.

"He's extremely strong and that's raw, natural strength.

"He would have done a very, very little amount of weights but he's a very explosive type of player, in the build of a Koschitzke or Riewoldt type at St Kilda."

Coach Ross Lyon has been rewarded for St Kilda's on-field success with a new three-year contract.

"It builds confidence in me," Lyon said.

"The faith and backing from board level has been unwavering since I walked through the door.

"I feel extremely privileged to be coaching at St Kilda and consider it an honour to be presented with the opportunity to lead the club as senior coach for at least another three seasons."

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt has avoided surgery on his chronic knee injury and will join full training with the Saints this pre-season.

"I saw him do a running session this morning and he's in really good shape," St Kilda football manager Greg Hutchison said yesterday.

"He follows his program and very rarely misses things. He, along with everyone else, has come back in really good shape. We are happy with how they presented themselves for the pre-season. They have come back in very good condition."

St Kilda recruit Nick Winmar is determined to forge his own identity with the Saints despite being the second cousin of former Saint great Nicky Winmar.

"I haven't seen a great deal of him. I was pretty young when he played. I haven't spoken to him (since I was drafted) so I don't know," he said.

"If I was going to end up in Melbourne this is where I wanted to be. They are a great club."

Ex-Saint Matt Maguire is looking forward to a new start with the Brisbane Lions after playing 99 games for St Kilda.

"I think about all the great times and playing with great players of the game like Harvs and modern day greats like my mate Nick Riewoldt. I played 99 games and had fun and feel I've been very lucky but I'm looking forward to going to Brisbane and making a name for myself there," Maguire said.

Collingwood recruit Luke Ball says he's 'supremely confident' that he can produce better form than in his time at St Kilda.

"Looking back I've probably only really ever done one full pre-season, if I'm going to be honest about it," he said.

"So I'm really confident that, provided I want to do the work - which I'm pretty sure that I do - that I've still got some good footy left in me."

New Magpie Luke Ball says that he has no hard feelings for his former club St Kilda after moving to Collingwood via the 2009 national draft.

"I've moved on from St Kilda with absolutely no bitterness or no resentment or anything like that at all," Ball said.

"I had eight fantastic years at the club. I thank them very much; they gave me an opportunity ... after eight years I basically just felt I needed a fresh start and a fresh opportunity."

St Kilda believes it has all the resources needed to manage former Kangaroo Jesse Smith's chronic injuries after picking him up in the 2009 national draft.

"We've got really strong support from our medical team that they think they can get Jesse up," St Kilda's general manager football and list management Matthew Drain said.

"We think our medical team from the past two years has been really strong with our injury rate so that's a challenge for them. If we can get him up, he's a top 10 pick."

Former Kangaroo Jesse Smith says St Kilda's track record with managing injuries will revive his AFL career.

"I'm very confident the Saints can help with my problems," he said.

"They have had a decrease in a lot of their injuries over the last couple of years since David Misson has got there.

"It's good to go to a new club with a clean sheet and some new ideas. I'm really excited. I can't wait to get down there and see what plans they have for me, because I really want to get into it and try to get my body nice and strong again."

Manager Paul Connors says Luke Ball deserved better than having to nominate for the draft and that free agency would have been a much better option if allowed.

"I think that free agency, for someone like Luke who's served his club for eight terrific years, deserves the opportunity to be able to go to a club of his choice if he was out of contract," Connors said.

Collingwood selects Luke Ball at pick 30 in the 2009 national draft ending weeks of speculation that Ball would be headed to Melbourne.

"It's been a long six weeks," Ball's manager Paul Connors said.

"He nominated for the draft, he understood what the process was and Luke can speak for himself that Melbourne has a terrific future ahead of it, he just believes he has the opportunity to make a difference in Collingwood's midfield."

David Armitage is named by St Kilda coach Ross Lyon as one of several players capable of stepping into the void created by Luke Ball's absence.

"Armo's done his apprenticeship. He had a great pre-season last year. He tore his hammy leading into the first pre-season game so it really put him behind," Lyon said.

"He is ready to go, a fourth-year player, endurance animal, clearance beast. As disappointed as we are to lose Luke, certainly David is one of those players who can step into that void."

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says he is disappointed in new Saint recruit Andrew Lovett's arrest for drunkenness.

"It's an inauspicious start and one we'd prefer not to be dealing with. We don't like any negative publicity around the Saints," Lyon said.

"From here he is under no illusions about the requirements and actions he needs to take to earn respect and more importantly earn trust here."

Collingwood defender Heath Shaw says former Saint Luke Ball would be a valuable addition to his side's midfield.

"He's obviously a quality player, he's been around the traps for a while and he's been captain of his former club," Shaw said.

"He'd definitely bring a lot of experience to the club."

Luke Ball has nominated Collingwood or Essendon as his preferred destinations in the national draft.

Former Saint Matt Maguire needs to convince Carlton's medical staff that his body is still up to the rigours of AFL football.

"He had the rod taken out of his leg in the off-season so he's still recovering from that ... and his foot as well," Carlton ruck and development coach Matthew Capuano said.

"He's only been here for a few days but he's thrown himself into all the rehab stuff and the touch stuff that we've done so far. Hopefully he comes along well."

Sydney coach Paul Roos reveals that St Kilda counterpart Ross Lyon tried to snare Tadhg Kennelly.

"Rossy rang me during trade week and was up front with me, and just said the Saints wanted to explore the options with Tadhg," Roos said.

"But I said to him at the time, 'If Tadhg comes back to Australia, I strongly believe he'll come back to us at the Swans'. He's a huge part of this footy club and we knew his heart lay in Sydney."

St Kilda has delisted defender Leigh Fisher and confirmed the departure of former skipper Luke Ball, who will take his chance in the draft.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says former Saint Luke Ball will be judged against the other talent available in the national draft.

"Luke Ball has put himself into the draft and every team that has a pick gets a chance to pick him up," he said.

"We have pick 30 and if he's there at pick 30, he'll be judged compared to the available talent."

Former St Kilda midfielder Luke Ball confirms his nomination for the national draft, after walking out on the Saints.

''Lyon recently met with Ball to reiterate the Saints' interests in retaining Luke and also outlined the improvements necessary for both Luke and the entire St Kilda playing list to again be competitive in 2010,'' the Saints said in a statement yesterday.

''However, Luke has now made the decision to pursue his career elsewhere.

''While St Kilda is disappointed with Luke's decision, the club believes it has conducted itself appropriately through what have been lengthy and complex negotiations in attempting to find a fair and reasonable outcome for all concerned.''

Essendon assistant coach Alan Richardson confirms the club's interest in disgruntled St Kilda midfielder Luke Ball.

"I don't actually know where it sits but I will say this - he's a fantastic person and I'm sure we would absolutely be interested if it worked for us and it worked for him," Richardson said today.

"He's a quality fellow and player and we'd be very interested."

Discarded St Kilda defender Matt Maguire will begin training with Carlton in a bid to show his body is up to top-flight football.

"It will give us a chance to just to see where his body is at and to have a look at him with our group," Carlton coach Brett Ratten said.

"I suppose like all players that you get down to train with you, they get to put their best case forward and if he does everything right he'll be a chance."

Former St Kilda stalwart Robert Harvey has been promoted into a new coaching role with Carlton after serving as a development coach in 2009.

St Kilda has delisted injury-plagued defender Matt Maguire and elevated Zac Dawson and Luke Miles from the rookie list.

Melbourne football manager Chris Connolly says they will try to convince Luke Ball to join the Demons.

"We are looking to meet Luke some time next week and that's a request from Luke and his manager," Connolly said.

"We need to convince him Melbourne is the club for him. We think he has a fantastic opportunity at Melbourne. He can get on with the next chapter of his life, and he can play an important role at the club."

Colm Begley and Eljay Connors have been delisted by St Kilda.

"Colm has expressed an interest to return to Ireland to pursue additional interests and we appreciate his efforts at the club during the past 12 months," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said.

Retired Saint Max Hudghton reveals the pain of missing out on being a part of St Kilda's 2009 finals campaign which included a Grand Final.

"It was a very difficult time and I haven't dealt with something as difficult in my life, and that's not to exclude illness or a passing in your family or financial problems," he said.

"I hadn't really had to deal with anything, and to deal with that scenario, having something I dreamed of and really craved like no tomorrow, to be part of a successful team, was challenging but I tried to walk away with my dignity."

Richmond CEO Brendon Gale says the club may be interested in Luke Ball but only in the pre-season draft, prefering instead to use their national draft picks on youngsters.

"We've got eight or nine picks. We've got to exercise our judgement very carefully in getting those picks right; there'll be a focus on youth and developing our own players.

"But certainly, if Luke was available in the pre-season draft, I'd imagine we'd be having a close look.

"At 24, 25 years of age I think it'd be a great opportunity to be a great role model and leader of our young and exciting, emerging players."

Former Dockers and Saints midfielder Heath Black is found asleep at the wheel of his damaged car in Winthrop just before 2am.

Black has been charged with one count of careless driving and driving with excess 0.08 alcohol in his blood.

Recently retired St Kilda full back Max Hudghton has accepted a position at the Lexus Centre under Mick Malthouse.

"To be able to be involved in football to some extent, and particularly to work with Mick and the Collingwood Football Club will be a big change," he said.

"It's very exciting to be moving into a different environment, and move out of my comfort zone at St Kilda.

Melbourne hopes the vice-captaincy will attract disgruntled St Kilda on-baller Luke Ball to their club.

"For our team, we're looking at players at that age bracket who can help lead and develop our younger group," Demons football manager Chris Connolly said.

"We've got a very talented group with all the picks we've had over the last two drafts, and this one coming up, so we need a real mentor and role model. I think everyone who knows Luke knows he's an outstanding young man."

Xavier Clarke prepares for a career with his new club Brisbane after being traded from St Kilda.

''Maybe the warm weather up in Brisbane will help me out. Who knows, it's a theory,'' Clarke smiled.

''I just felt that the time was right to go somewhere new. Sometimes in your life you just have feelings , and I thought I should go with it this time.''

Now that Collingwood has failed to snare Luke Ball, Melbourne is hopeful of grabbing him in the draft.

Luke Ball's career hangs in the balance after trade talks with Collingwood broke down and his former club St Kilda withdrew its earlier three-year offer.

"What Luke needs to do is go away and assess what he wants to do. There are two evident options which are come back to St Kilda and train and deliver the actions that get you in the senior team; or go into the pre-season draft and take your chances," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said.

Luke Ball's future up in the air as Collingwood-St Kilda talks break down.

The Brisbane Lions continue to wheel and deal at trade week securing Xavier Clarke from St Kilda after giving up pick 60.

"I've been offered a terrific opportunity at Brisbane and I'm really looking forward to further developing my career with the Lions," Clarke said.

"It was a decision I didn't take lightly. I had to sit down and see what was best for my footy and my personal development as a player."

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has stressed that his club would need to be compensated accordingly, should Luke Ball cross to Collingwood.

"We just want a quality player. He's All Australian, captain, best and fairest winner, started in the centre square bounce in the grand final, sixth in our best and fairest last year. I think played 18 of a possible 24," Lyon said.

"We'll want a commercial and equitable deal."

Former St Kilda captain Luke Ball has rejected a three-year contract and requested a trade, preferably to Collingwood.

"We were confident Luke would stay with the club, as he has always been a required player," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said in a statement.

"However we will now do what is best for the St Kilda Football club's interests and those of its members and supporters with the aim of completing an equitable trade for a person of Luke's calibre, leadership, playing honours and experience."

St Kilda midfielder Luke Ball attracts interest from rival clubs as trade week approaches.

Nick Riewoldt became the most decorated St Kilda player in the club's history when he won his fifth Trevor Barker Award on Saturday night.

"It was a real strength of our team this year that it could have been anyone standing up here. It is very humbling and bordering on embarrassing to be standing up here and individualise," Riewoldt said after the win.

Saints coach Ross Lyon reveals Zac Dawson was ill on grand final eve and had to be placed on a drip to treat severe fever and gastro that almost resulted in the defender missing out on playing in the game against the Cats.

Veteran Saint Max Hudghton has retired after the club's tilt at the 2009 premiership fell at the last hurdle.

"I think it's fitting that I announce my retirement today," he announced at the club's supporter day at Etihad Stadium.

"I haven't formally even spoken to the boys, but I thought it was a great opportunity to get up here and thank all of the fans for the fantastic support that you've given me over many, many years."

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt speaks of losing the 2009 grand final to the Cats in a post-match function at Crown.

"The one saving grace is that we can all look each other in the eye. What we've been able to achieve this year, I'm just so proud of the playing group and the coaches," Riewoldt said.

"Geelong were in the same situation 12 months ago and they were good enough to come out and achieve the ultimate.

"Suck it in over the next few days, stick together and make sure that we come back next year and go one step further."

Luke Ball tells of his devastation in losing the 2009 Grand Final to the Cats.

"Half an hour ago was the worst feeling I've had in my life, to be honest. It was shocking," Ball said.

"Just looking around at a few of the older guys as well, it was as bad as I've felt."

St Kilda's Farren Ray says players that feel like they are stagnating should consider trade week after a trade to the Saints from the Bulldogs in 2008 reignited his passion for the game.

"Anyone who is thinking about getting traded, I can tell you it really does revive you," Ray said on Friday, as he took part in his new club's grand final parade.

"Different coaching methods, a fresh start, and also the Western Bulldogs had a lot of players my type and the Saints didn't have as many.

"It seemed to be a perfect fit."

St Kilda champion Robert Harvey says Max Hudghton is a victim of coach Ross Lyon's ruthless pursuit of a premiership after the popular defender failed to make the 2009 grand final side to face Geelong.

"For a bloke that's put in so much it's hard, but that's just part and parcel of footy. That's how brutal the business is and obviously St Kilda have only won one (premiership)," Harvey said.

"Ross is trying to get that second one and nothing is going to stand in his way.

"Some people don't understand why it would make such a difference in the end but that's just the way it is. There's a coldness almost about that quest to win another flag."

St Kilda utility Sean Dempster is recalled to the senior side to play in the 2009 grand final but says that he feels for omitted teammate Robert Eddy.

"It's really hard. He played both finals and to miss out on the grand final, I really do feel for him," Dempster said.

"I haven't spoken to him yet. I didn't really think it was really appropriate to speak with him last night, because he was obviously feeling really bad and I didn't think it was necessary for me to talk to him yet."

Max Hudghton season of turmoil culminates with him missing selection for St Kilda's grand final against the Cats.

Former Saint Nicky Winmar warns the current St Kilda players that it is hard to get over a grand final loss as they prepare to face the Cats in the final Saturday of September.

"It is still pretty emotional. It comes back to you a lot. It's been 12 years but it still plays on your mind for many years. The boys representing the St Kilda side this week, I hope it doesn't happen to them," Winmar said.

St Kilda players have been pumping teammate Adam Schneider, who played in a premiership for the Swans, for grand final tips all week.

"The boys have asked me things about it, even Nick Riewoldt asking me a question shows how hungry the guys are. He just wanted to know about a few things here and there. For a bloke of his calibre to ask me a question just showed how hungry they are," Schneider said.

St Kilda's Luke Ball says his brother Matthew offered some words of advice after he was dropped from the team.

"I was in constant communication with the coaches, so it wasn't like it was me against them and me having a look elsewhere for guidance or support - they were terrific the whole time and still continue to be," Ball said.

"It wasn't the case of me having to go out and have a look for someone to talk to, to get through it."

St Kilda ruckman Michael Gardiner says he is keen to make amends for a sub-par 2005 Grand Final performance with West Coast after being given another opportunity with St Kilda in 2009.

"I suppose at times I was 100-1 to play another one. It's exciting to be given the opportunity to play in a grand final with St Kilda," Gardiner said.

"I'm 100 per cent going into this game in different circumstances and really looking forward to it."

As St Kilda prepare for their 2009 Grand Final, former Saints champion Robert Harvey admits the pain of St Kilda's grand final loss in 1997 "never goes away".

"It's something you can't describe," Harvey said.

"I'm just glad that I did that and experienced the week and running out.

"No matter what happens to the Saints this week, that'll never go away, and you don't understand at the time the impact that it does have."

Max Hudghton's hopes of returning to the senior St Kilda side remain slim as the Saints march towards their first grand final since 1997, a match that Hudghton also missed out on participating in.

''I understand everyone's interest and how tough it is for Max but it's a brutal business and St Kilda hasn't won a premiership since 1966, so we certainly can't put the individual ahead of the team,'' St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said.

St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt says his injured knee pulled up well after the preliminary final and that he will be ready to go for the Grand Final.

Sports medicine specialist Dr Peter Larkins, however, was not too optimistic about the long term prospects of Riewoldt's knee.

"What we've seen consistently is that the knee does hamper him for periods of games and that's not going to change," Larkins said.

"There is wear on the joint surface and when he lands awkwardly on it, the bone jars and he gets pain in the lining of the knee.

"The danger is he is going to chip the bone or do some damage to the surface of the joint on one of those hard landings and not be able to shake it off in two or three minutes, like he did three or four times on Friday night."

St Kilda's Luke Ball says his enforced absence has motivated him to work harder after making his way back into the side for the qualifying final against Collingwood.

"I've been in constant communication with the coaches," Ball said.

"They've been fantastic and I guess you've got to be careful not to talk to too many people because it has been more of an internal issue.

"Hopefully it's been the kick up the arse I needed and I won't look back from here."

Geelong midfielder Joel Selwood has been recognised as the AFL's most courageous player by his peers after winning the Robert Rose most courageous player award at the AFLPA's awards dinner.

Selwood - fifth in the MVP voting - polled 248 votes ahead of Sydney's Brett Kirk (132) and St Kilda's Lenny Hayes (91).

Zac Dawson wins a re-match against his nemesis Anthony Rocca with the Saints condemning the Magpies to a sudden death semi-final after winning their qualifying final.

"Daws has really come on this year, and again we didn't ask for anything too special from him,'' teammate Lenny Hayes said.

''Just to stand his ground and he's done that all year, so it was no different today.''

Former Saint Aaron Hamill is please with Michael Gardiner's form this year after the two spent plenty of time together in rehabilitation during Hamill's playing days.

"We did a fair bit of running and a fair bit of swimming that year," Hamill said.

"You could tell that he had a real determination to play regular footy again.

"Footy means a lot to him. You could see that in his professional attitude to training. He prepared himself so well that you just knew that he wanted to get back again."