St Kilda Saints News

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."

Luke Ball again misses out on senior selection and will not line up for the Saints in their final game of the regular season against Melbourne.

'Everyone just felt it would be good for Luke to have another game in the VFL and he was obviously OK about that and he'll go and play for Sandringham and do what he has to do,'' Saints football operations manager Greg Hutchison said.

''Players are obviously disappointed when they don't get a game in the AFL team but he knows where he's at and he's a terrific person, Luke, and understands what he's trying to do and what he has to do. So, he'll definitely make a contribution for Sandringham and then we'll just weigh it up after that game.''

A hip injury forces Jarryd Allen to announce his retirement from football at just 21 years of age.

"When I had all the information in front of me, it was pretty clear as to what decision I had to make," Allen said.

"I was told that the problem would only continue to get worse and I have made the decision to retire with a heavy heart, but also with a long term view to my future quality of life. I didn't want to face the prospect of having a plastic hip at age 21."

Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas believes Luke Ball should play for the Saints in the finals after Ball was dropped to the VFL for the second time this year.

'We can only read between the lines about what we've heard from Ross Lyon and other sections of the footballing community and that's that there's a question mark on Luke's ability to spread from contests and to be a damaging player and hurt the opposition, and his accountability when the opposition's got the ball,'' Thomas said.

''What I do know is that Luke is at the top of the tree in contested footy, in tackles and he's got some other great qualities that are probably outside the week-to-week key performance indicators of the footy team.''

Former St Kilda coach Stan Alves says the club should select Max Hudghton ahead of Zac Dawson for the finals if it comes down to a choice between the two.

"It is so important to have someone who has been there and done that. He is the ultimate competitor," Alves said.

"I believe he is a player who performs on the big stage and that is critical.

"It would be very, very unwise not to have him in the 22. He's got to be there."

St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt hurt his knee against North Melbourne and pulled up sore on Monday but says his knee is fine and that he will play this weekend.

"In consultation with the doctors, they just wanted to tick every box and make sure they ruled out anything, so I've been in for a scan this afternoon," Riewoldt said.

"My knee feels really good and I obviously don't know the result of the scan yet, but I'd be very, very surprised if it was anything at all. I'm walking fine, so I just wanted to put that to bed."

Brent Prismall says he wasn't too worried with he hit the post with a set shot with 35 seconds left against St Kilda that would have sealed victory for his side.

Nick Riewoldt later marked for a set shot after the siren that would miss, giving the Bombers a thrilling victory against the Saints who had been unbeaten until then.

"I missed the goal, I wasn't worried then I remember Riewoldt marking about one metre away from me and I thought: 'oh no'," Prismall said.

"Lucky enough he missed and the rest is history."

With seconds remaining and his side trailing by just three points, St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt marks within range but fails to convert after the siren.

The Saints lose the match to the Bombers by just two points, thereby ending their remarkable winning streak of 19 straight games and putting an end to any hopes of a rare perfect season for the club.

Mark Stevens from the Herald Sun reports that St Kilda key defender Zac Dawson is due to cash out on his excellent form in 2009, going from a base rookie wage of $33,000 this year to possibly earning up to $250,000 next year.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon laters dismisses the report as an effort to destabilise his side.

"People are going to release information that's not accurate and everyone wants to destabilise certain things," Lyon told radio station SEN.

"We'll clarify all that within the group but for Zac it's a great story.

"We got him for a reason, we thought he had ability, he'd done an apprenticeship and needed a second chance and he certainly grabbed hold of it. He's just grown and grown and grown."

Max Hudghton admits he considered not returning for a 13th season last year and is still undecided about his future.

"At about round 15 or round 16 I was still undecided last year," he said.

"I love footy, I love competing, I love getting out there and being part of a team so I was really keen to play on last year and obviously I thought I had a pretty solid year.

"Whether my career ends this year or next year it is not a decision that is being made by myself or the footy club at this stage. It's in the back of your mind but we're really concentrating on the time right now rather than any other time."

Saint James Gwilt is free to play against Essendon this week after accepting a reprimand for making forceful contact with Hawthorn's Jordan Lewis on Saturday.

Injuries have grounded Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Lenny Hayes, Brendon Goddard and Steven Baker for Saturday's clash with Hawthorn with the Saints taking a cautious approach in the lead up to the finals.

Former St Kilda midfield coach Mick McGuane says St Kilda must play Luke Ball in the finals where the tough midfielder can apply his strength around the contested balls.

"Luke Ball, in a finals situation, will play in that team," McGuane said.

"I've got no doubt about it . . . providing he is healthy. You need players who can win their own footy."

St Kilda full-back Zac Dawson is expected to return from suspension to face his old side in Hawthorn.

"I'm tipping he would want to play against the Hawks," Saints coach Ross Lyon said.

"He'll give us some inside knowledge, no doubt. He has been a great acquisition to our club."

A chest injury to Luke Ball after a collision during a VFL match has the Saint midfielder in doubt for a return to the senior side.

"He's got some bruising to his chest and he will be assessed during the week but we expect him to be available," St Kilda's football manager Greg Hutchison said.

St Kilda ruckman Steven King suffered a dislocated shoulder while playing against the Sydney Swans.

"He went back out there and played after a dislocated shoulder, and he's OK, but he'll be assessed during the week," Saints football manager Greg Hutchison said.

Former Saint Austinn Jones says St Kilda forward Stephen Milne has improved defensively in 2009.

"He's taken a huge step in the area that he knew and everyone knew he had to improve on, defensive pressure," Jones said.

"He was always keen to compete in that area, but he just wasn't very good at it. He's got better technique, and the attitude's there. He's hungry."

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt says a breach of the players' 'trademark' saw onballer Luke Ball dropped from the seniors.

"Without getting into specifics, because that's between Luke and Ross, there are a few areas of his game he has to improve," Riweoldt told Foxtel's On the Couch.

"It's certainly not a discipline decision, and Luke is one of the most respected players at the club.

"He's been given a few areas to go away, address and work on, and he's in constant consultation with the coach.

"Hopefully we see him back soon."

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt says a large part of the Saints' success this year is due to ruckman Michael Gardiner.

"He's been fantastic, and I think it's full credit to Michael and the club, which has shown a lot of faith in him since he came across," he said.

"I didn't have in him, because the leadership group met with him before he came across and he promised certain things and he's delivered on every word up until now."

Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says forward Scott Welsh failed to read the match-up board at three-quarter time, which gifted St Kilda a crucial goal.

Welsh did not realize he was meant to sit on the interchange bench and started the quarter on the field which resulted in a 50m penalty and goal to Nick Riewoldt.

"I asked him if he'd read the match-up board and he said he didn't," Eade said.

"I said, 'At 30 years of age, you might have learned something'."

St Kilda insists Matt Maguire can still have a part to play this season despite being overlooked at selection again.

Maguire has been stranded on 99 career games for well over a year because he was injured for most of 2008 and has been unable to break into the side this season.

Saints defender Matt Maguire is again overlooked for a spot in the Saints' line-up.

St Kilda football manager Greg Hutchison said Maguire remained close to a senior recall.

"He's been playing good, solid footy in the VFL, and he knows he's just got to continue playing pretty well at VFL level," he said.

St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt has scoffed at suggestions that the unbeaten Saints will need to lose a game before the finals.

"I think it's rubbish to be honest. It's a gambler's fallacy really. Every week we go into the game wanting to win, just like every other team," Riewoldt said.

"If we go out and do happen to drop one, provided we play the game like we know we can - we've approached it well and prepared well and given 100 per cent effort - then we will take whatever the result gives us.

"We are not a results-focused team. We're about effort and everyone contributing."

Nick Riewoldt says Matt Maguire is in contention to play his long-awaited 100th match against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night after suspensions to Justin Koschitzke and Zac Dawson.

"We'll have training and look at the way we want to structure the team and how the Bulldogs are going to structure up and make a decision from there, but he's a definite a chance for this week," Riewoldt said.

St Kilda defender Zac Dawson has been suspended for two weeks after the AFL tribunal found him guilty of a rough conduct charge against Adelaide's Brad Symes.

Dawson chose not to accept a one-match ban for an early plea.

"We are obviously disappointed with the result but we have to live by it and move on," St Kilda football manager Greg Hutchison said.

"Zac is taking it on the chin, like he would. We just need to move on and go forward and hopefully get through the next couple of weeks without him."

St Kilda forward Justin Koschitzke has accepted a one-match ban, but defender Zac Dawson will contest his rough conduct charge.

Key Saints Justin Koschitzke and Zac Dawson are charged by the match review panel after physical clash with Crows.

Koschitzke was charged with striking Adelaide's Richard Douglas in Sunday's game, while Dawson was charged for a rough conduct offence against Crow Brad Symes.

West Coast midfielder Matt Priddis says he enjoyed taking on Saints tagger Clinton Jones - again.

Priddis and Jones were no strangers to one another having played plenty of big WAFL games against one another when Priddis was at Subiaco and Jones at South Fremantle before the two went on to AFL careers.

"Clint has had a fantastic year and it's a different role for him. He previously had always been a wingman, but this year has been a tagging midfielder and has had a fantastic season," Priddis said.

"It was good to have another battle with him. His role now is a lot more in and under, and a negating role and it's different for him, but he's definitely been a great positive for St Kilda this year."

Saint Michael Gardiner looks forward to matching up against Eagle Dean Cox again after a less than impressive performance the last time he played at Subiaco Oval.

"I've played a few more games and come into this game with different circumstances to last year, so I'm looking forward to the contest," Gardiner said.

"Cox has been the benchmark in the ruck for the past five years. I look forward to the challenge."

St Kilda forward Adam Schneider will sit out Sunday afternoon's clash with West Coast at Subiaco Oval because of the birth of his child.

Michael Gardiner has been proving all year that Saints made right decision by granting him second chance, captain Nick Riewoldt says.

"I think he's been good for us all year and he has gone through a pretty rough journey with his body and a few other things, but ever since he walked through the door at the club he has been really committed," Riewoldt said.

"People probably forget what a great player he was back in 2003 through to 2005 and he is starting to recapture some of that form now, which is terrific for us."

After beating Geelong, St Kilda now knows it can match it with the best and, according to captain Nick Riewoldt, its own best is yet to come.

"We've been able to meet every challenge before that, so it was nice to come up against a really quality outfit and be competitive for the whole night," Riewoldt said.

"The game could have gone either way in the end and the result - while it is always nice to get the points - I don't think it would have really affected the lessons we took out of the game and the fact that we've still got a lot of improving to do in the last eight rounds of the season."

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon admits star forward Nick Riewoldt might be too courageous for his own good.

Twice Riewoldt charged back with the flight of the ball in Sunday's win over Geelong at Etihad Stadium, once for a mark and resultant goal, but on the second occasion he just avoided being wiped out and was left with a jarred knee.

"That one was a bit straight on for mine and a bit reckless," Lyon said.

"We won't take issue with that, but we'll look to eradicate that."

Ben Cousins is delighted for friend and former teammate Michael Gardiner, who kicked the winning goal for St Kilda yesterday against the unbeaten Cats.

"For him to stand up the way he did in such a big game, I was just rapt for him," Cousins said.

"He kicked four in the ruck, has taken a couple of contested marks in the clinches of the game. It was just fantastic."

Cousins also made comment on the challenges Gardiner faced in his comeback to football after being traded by West Coast.

"He has come over to Melbourne in the circumstances he has and hasn't been able to get his body right, which, for a player, I don't think people quite realise how frustrating and hard that is," Cousins said.

"That's probably why he took it out on some of those off-field indiscretions and why that came to the surface.

"To see him get his body right and playing the footy he is in a great side is good to see."

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt says Michael Gardiner has been terrific all year, not just on Sunday against Geelong after the recruit from West Coast became the Saints' matchwinner with a goal in the last minute to seal the game.

"He hasn't taken his second chance just based on last night's game," Riewoldt said of Gardiner.

"I think he's been good for us all year and he has gone through a pretty rough journey with his body and a few other things but ever since he walked through the door at the club he has been really committed and people probably forget what a great player he was back in 2003 through to 2005 and he is starting to recapture some of that form now which is terrific for us."

The football world is salivating with anticipation, but Saint Nick Dal Santo may not share such enthusiasm about Sunday's heavyweight battle against Geelong.

Playing Geelong has not been an enjoyable experience for Dal Santo during the past two years because of one man - Cameron Ling.

In the past three games between Geelong and St Kilda, Ling has not only done a shutdown role but inflicted pain the other way.

Richmond's Mark Coughlan is free to try to revive his AFL career after being cleared of headbutting by the VFL tribunal tonight.

Coughlan was reported on a misconduct charge after he became involved in a scuffle with St Kilda-listed player Colm Begley during a VFL game last Saturday.

Drew Petrie and Trent Cotchin have escaped with reprimands for striking offences on the weekend.

Petrie was cited for striking Brad Johnson, while Cotchin was fingered for striking Jarryn Geary.

St Kilda veteran Max Hudghton is a doubtful starter for next week's clash with Geelong after straining an ankle ligament in the win over Richmond on Sunday.

Hudghton was stretchered off after a marking contest in the opening quarter but returned late in the following term.

He left the ground for good in the third term, and was seen on crutches after the game.

While St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has used only 26 players this season, he is mindful not to overlook a group, including Matt Maguire, Sean Dempster and Robert Eddy, delivering consistent form each week with VFL affiliate Sandringham.

"There's not only Matt waiting for opportunities, I've got Armitage and Jack Steven and Raph Clarke in the seconds. So there's a number of players in the same position, Colm Begley another, who are fighting for a spot in the seniors," Lyon said yesterday.

"And I'm on record that, while players keep delivering, I'm not just going to make changes for the sake of it."

AFL Coaches Association chief executive Danny Frawley is frustrated by clubs' apparent infatuation with appointing a young coach over an experienced one.

"We just find it quite interesting how clubs put a criterion in that they want a young developing coach, but I would have thought clubs want to get the best coach," Frawley said.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says defender Matt Maguire is still an important player for the team despite not being able to break into the side.

"He's playing quite good football in the VFL and he's carrying himself well Monday to Friday," he said at Linen House Oval on Friday morning.

"He loves being part of St Kilda and he's continually improving his body after a well documented and horrific injury."

St Kilda ruckman Michael Gardiner will play his 150th AFL game this weekend, overcoming questions surrounding his future when he was traded by West Coast to the Saints in 2006.

"He's built a lot of trust here," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said.

"He looked me in the eye and said; 'This is what I'm committing to', and he met our senior group and more importantly said; 'This is what I can do and this is the guarantee I can give you'.

"Looking back two-and-a-half years later I think we sit with some satisfaction and some pleasure for Michael that he's been able to deliver on that."

St Kilda vice-captain Lenny Hayes senses a senior recall for teammate and housemate Matt Maguire is looming.

Restricted to 14 games in the last two years by a foot injury, Maguire is yet to be selected by St Kilda this season despite some solid form for its VFL affiliate Sandringham.

"He knows that he has got to wait for an opportunity but I know from seeing it up close that he is doing everything right," Hayes said.

"He is not one of those blokes who will whinge and say, 'Poor old me'. He works really hard and he knows when he does get an opportunity he will do well.

"There is going to be a bit of frustration there but you wouldn't really know it. He goes out there, he trains really hard and he is a professional bloke."

Matt Maguire may be forced to weigh up his trade options at the end of the season as he remains unable to squeeze into St Kilda's best 22.

The defender is looming large on rival clubs' radars after spending the first half of the season playing in the VFL for Sandringham.

While his form and fitness have been good, Maguire, 25, is a victim of the Saints' injury-free run and much-improved defensive strength.

The popular clubman is stuck on 99 AFL games and is the subject of increasing interest from clubs wanting a quality backman.

St Kilda onballer Lenny Hayes thinks Tiger Ben Cousins will have plenty to prove when he plays the club that decided he was too risky to draft.

"We expect nothing less from Cousins. We know he is a real professional, he is a real hard runner and he has been getting back to some of his best form. I'm sure he's looking forward to the game as well," Hayes said.

Saint Michael Gardiner will this week play his 150th AFL match, a feat that many believed he would never reach after battles with injury and discipline over the last few years.

"It is a big milestone for him. He's been great for us and he is getting back to some of his best form. He has been a real plus for us," teammate Lenny Hayes said of the ruckman.

Close-checking Carlton youngster Aaron Joseph has made every post a winner since coming to the Blues from the Apple Isle.

Joseph's performance in amassing 19 touches opposed to St Kilda livewire Stephen Milne two weeks ago has earned him a nomination as the NAB AFL Rising Star.

"I played on Brent Harvey in the NAB Cup. He's probably been the hardest player to play on. One of my strengths is to get under a player's skin, and he pretty much bashed me up on the day. He showed me a few moves I can use on future opponents," Joseph said.

St Kilda star Steven Baker's mum says she is proud he turned the other cheek after being attacked as he left a pub in his home town.

"I'm super proud Steve didn't retaliate," she said. "I'm sure a few years ago he would have.

"If he'd reacted, it could have been an all-in. We just laughed about it and I said it might pay to stay at home."

St Kilda has revealed onballer Steven Baker was attacked at a Colac hotel on the weekend.

"The St Kilda Football Club can confirm that there was a minor incident at a Colac hotel on the weekend involving Steven Baker when he was home visiting family during the AFL split-round," the statement said.

"Steven was out enjoying an evening with family and friends in his home town when he was approached and struck by another hotel patron. Steven is uninjured and back training with the Club today in preparation for the Round 13 game against Richmond this coming Sunday.

"It was an unfortunate event for Steven and his friends however police were not involved at any stage and as we believe these versions of events to be true and correct, the matter is closed."

A string of standout performances has experts talking up Saints onballer Leigh Montagna as a legitimate Brownlow Medal chance.

"I'm starting to get a little bit of publicity, but we try to put that aside," Montagna said.

"We don't really take too much notice of those things."

The AFL's official statisticians have named Leigh Montagna as their Brownlow Medal bolter.

Using the formula that tipped Jimmy Bartel as runaway winner in 2007 and Adam Cooney as a top-three certainty last year, Champion Data has Montagna as the only challenger to Gary Ablett.

Champion Data has Montagna, St Kilda's most potent ball carrier, on 17 votes after 11 rounds.

St Kilda ruckman Steven King has accepted a four-week ban for his off-the-ball clash with North Melbourne's Sam Power last weekend, deciding not to risk a six-week suspension if an appeal failed.

Steven King is looking at a month on the sidelines after being charged with rough conduct, while Paddy Ryder has also been suspended.

King was involved in an off the ball incident on Saturday which left Kangaroo Sam Power unconscious.

Ryder was suspended for a week for rough conduct against young Crow Patrick Dangerfield.

St Kilda forward Justin Koschitzke believes the Saints side that won its 11th consecutive game on Saturday is much more advanced than the team that claimed 10 in a row in 2004.

"I think we're a more rounded, disciplined side now," he told afl.com.au.

"The core group is a little bit older, a little more mature, and while this new record doesn't really mean a lot, it's a good platform to build off."

When Xavier Clarke was worried after learning his season was over, comfort came in the form of a visit from his coach, Ross Lyon.

"Rossy pretty much said to me he would like to have me at the club next year, and as long as he's there he would do pretty much anything he can to keep me at the club," Clarke told Superfooty program Front and Square.

"I think I still have a lot to offer. I'm 25 and I would like to think I have three or four really good years in senior footy."

Ross Lyon says St Kilda must be prepared to suffer the odd suspension if they continue to be hard and aggressive on the field.

The Saints' clean disciplinary record in 2009 was blotted today when ruckman Michael Gardiner accepted a one-game suspension for striking Melbourne's Mark Jamar.

"He'll learn from it and move on," Lyon said of Gardiner.

"But we're playing pretty hard football and we'll cross that line a few times and we'll have to deal with that.

"It's unrealistic to expect at an AFL club you're going to go through without an indiscretion or an error in judgement.

"We value having our personnel on the park, but if you're competing and you're going hard and you're in that state of mind, you'll make some decisions that sometimes bend the rules too far."

A thigh strain was the reason behind Jason Gram's appearance in the VFL on the weekend, say St Kilda.

"Early in the week his preparation wasn't quite where we thought it would be to get him to the line for the weekend," St Kilda General Manager of Football Greg Hutchison said.

"Because you have to make your decisions for your teams on Friday we had to leave him out."

St Kilda forward James Gwilt has used his Noble Park connection to seek advice from North Melbourne legend Glenn Archer.

"He was pretty honest with me and said I need to improve on my physicality. I had the body and the physical traits for it, but just getting it in my head that I could do that sort of stuff that he used to do," Gwilt said.

"He taught me about taking it one contest at a time."

Hayes chalks up his 200th against the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

"I had a couple of them down last week, but I missed the first game with a hamstring injury," Hayes said.

"They were a bit flat on me because they had booked their tickets around Christmas time with the cheap flights.

"There's a busload of family coming down from Sydney. I've had to hit up a few of the boys for extra tickets."

Rebounding St Kilda defender Jason Gram is in doubt for Sunday's game against Brisbane.

Gram is battling a thigh injury and did not train at Moorabbin today.

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt has signed a deal that will keep him at the club until 2013.

"The most significant thing was the friendships I've developed at the football club. My teammates are my best mates," he said.

"Kosi and I were drafted as 18 year olds together and spoke about playing our whole careers here together. I hope that is something we can both do.

"The year after that a lot of other young guys came in - Bally, Dal, Goose, X and Leigh. Hopefully we can all go through and play our entire careers together. That would be something pretty special."

St Kilda is set to announce that captain Nick Riewoldt has signed a new four-year contract with the club.

St Kilda defender Jarryn Geary is the round-eight nominee for the 2009 NAB AFL Rising Star.

"I came in the door with Rob Eddy and Clinton Jones. Jayden Attard was also a rookie that year and he played 22 games before he did his knee," Geary said.

"It was good to come through with those boys. We were competing with each other to try and get on the list. It probably helped us out with where we are now. We all worked very hard and coming through with those guys really helped me along the way."

Nick Riewoldt believes he and Justin Koschitzke are only now beginning to combine to full effect; a scary thought for St Kilda?s opponents.

"In the past one of the problems we've had in both being up there is flying a lot together and almost killing each other on occasions," Riewoldt said.

"We are getting more and more cohesive up there and working together. We want to be a team that has got a lot of strings to our bow.

"Providing everyone is doing their job and contributing it doesn't really matter who is kicking goals. I thought Kosi was great today."

Max Hudghton will finally play football this weekend in the VFL.

However, there is no guaranteed fast track back to senior ranks with the Saints being one of the form sides early in 2009.

'We're pretty keen to keep those that are delivering. It's as simple as that, really, and everyone has to bang down the door to get back in. The reality is its no difference for Max,'' St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said.

A bigger, stronger and more confident Zac Dawson gets his chance to redress one of the AFL's worst mismatches on Monday night when he meets Anthony Rocca again.

St Kilda hopes defender Xavier Clarke will be ready for the opening round of 2010 after his season-ending knee injury.

Clarke ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while playing in the VFL.

"His form had been good and he's played a fair bit of senior footy for us. It is very disappointing for it to happen and it limits our depth," St Kilda football manager Greg Hutchison said.

"He's coped pretty well actually. He has been as well as can be expected."

Three years after his first very public humiliation at the hands of Anthony Rocca, Zac Dawson may be on the verge of the ultimate redemption with the two expected to face each other again.

Farren Ray's move to St Kilda from the Dogs continues to pay dividends for the West Australian with the midfielder averaging 24 disposals per game.

Fellow Saints midfielder was full of praise for Ray.

"He's been a great addition to our club – he's worked really hard, he's earning respect off the club and the players, and he's doing his job which is all you can ask," Hayes said.

Port Adelaide's Troy Chaplin can accept a reprimand for striking St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt.

Steven Baker returns to the Saints side after spending months on the sideline due to suspension and injury.

"It is good to play footy. It seems like I have been on the sidelines for five years, just watching the boys. It's good to be back and I am happy to be just playing every week and doing my part for the team," Baker said.

Saint Nick Dal Santo has been the big mover in Brownlow betting, but the punters still think the medal is Gary Ablett's to win.

St Kilda's Leigh Montagna will front the AFL tribunal tonight to contest a charge of striking Paul Hasleby.

Justin Koschitzke will sit out Friday night's match against Port Adelaide due to a minor hamstring strain, but coach Ross Lyon says the Saints must cover the loss of key personnel.

Jason Gram's move to the middle last year has boosted the Saints ranks considerably.

"Ross wanted to get more depth in the midfield, and he wanted to do that from about half-way through last year," Gram said after the Saints' 83-point win over Fremantle on Saturday night.

"He didn't want us relying on just Dal, Hayes and Ball, so he introduced myself, Goddard, Jones, Farren Ray, all those guys.

"I'm loving it in the midfield, and every now and then if I have to go back, I'll go back."

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon confirmed forward Justin Koschitzke would be sent for scans on his left hamstring on Sunday.

St Kilda's Jason Gram admits he's still quiet off the field but is constantly working on his match impact.

"Normally I'm pretty quiet," Gram said.

"On-field I think that's where everyone lets loose.

"So I'll chat away and do everything to help the team during the game. But off the field I'm a bit more laid-back and listen to what other people have to say.

"If I've got something to say I'll say it, but otherwise I'm probably naturally quiet."

Frawley left a message on Terry Wallace's mobile at 8.30am yesterday.

He did it wearing two hats.

One, as chief executive of the AFL Coaches' Association and the other as a former Richmond coach who, like Wallace, found himself under terrific pressure in the last year of his contract in 2004.

Influential midfielder Nick Dal Santo continues to lead the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year.

West Coast expects St Kilda ruckman Michael Gardiner to be desperate to impress against his former club on Saturday.

St Kilda midfielder Luke Ball says he was probably handed captaincy too early in his career.

"At the time it was a fantastic honour and something I've learned from. In hindsight I might not have been ready for it back then," he said.

"I would say there were other factors as well. I was struggling a bit with injury but I wouldn't say it is as cut and dry as that.

"I've learnt from that experience a bit and it has made me a better player."

The West Coast Eagles have a strong record against St Kilda and coach John Worsfold says they want it to continue.

St Kilda defender Matt Maguire may earn a place in the side to take on the Eagles this weekend.

Maguire has not played at AFL level since round six last year but played the majority of St Kilda's NAB Cup and NAB Challenge matches before spending the past two weeks with VFL club Sandringham.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said Maguire was a chance to make his return from a foot injury this week.

Xavier Clarke is pushing hard to play his first game of the season, but there might not be room for him in an unbeaten St Kilda line-up.

Near enough is no longer good enough as St Kilda tonight embarks on a mission to improve its horror record in Adelaide.

Brendon Goddard said the days of accepting "honourable losses" on the road were over.

"It's easy to go interstate and lose. Lose and lose well," Goddard said.

"Have a close loss, an honourable loss, and accept that. I guess we were in that frame of mind early in my career."

But Goddard said the Saints had the maturity to not use travel as an excuse.

"No loss is acceptable, no matter who it is against and where it is."

St Kilda has secured the signature of Sam Gilbert for a further two years.

"Sam is an important part of our team and we are delighted that he has re-committed to the club," football manager Matthew Drain said.

"He is an exciting young player who gives us options with his flexibility, can adapt to playing in different positions and we expect will still develop as a player."

Former St Kilda captain Lenny Hayes has overcome a hamstring complaint and will play against Adelaide, replacing another hamstring victim, Raphael Clarke.

St Kilda defender Zac Dawson has admitted he did not want to continue his AFL career after Hawthorn delisted him last year.

Dawson said he was ready to turn his back on football after managing just 14 games in four years as a Hawk.

"I didn't know whether I'd be up for it mentally," he said.

"Last year I was on the fringe for the whole season and I didn't want to go through another year without the opportunity to play."

Geelong champion Gary Ablett is the confirmed No. 1 target of the Gold Coast team.

Football director Graeme Downie made the bold claim after the club was awarded the 17th AFL licence yesterday, which came as a complete surprise to some media.

Ablett, Lance Franklin and Nick Riewoldt, who come out of contract at the end of 2010, are firmly in the Gold Coast's sights.

Under the AFL's list building concessions, the club can sign one uncontracted player from each of the 16 clubs.

Saint Andrew McQualter warns fans not to expect a repeat of his stunning goal against the Swans.

It was a classy bit of play with all the evasive skills and poise of Robert Harvey at his prime, but Andrew McQualter says his brilliant goal in the third quarter of last week’s game was hardly a sign of any changes to his game.

"I don't think you should get too used to it. I'm not one to do too many flashy things too often but I don't know what happened there to be honest. We'll just let that go," he said.

"I've been copping it all week. It came up on the vision this morning."

St Kilda say Raphael Clarke's hamstring injury may not be as severe as first feared, while Anthony Rocca is a chance to play in round two for Collingwood

Brendon Goddard says the belief amongst St Kilda allowed it to notch a come-from-behind victory against the Swans.

ST KILDA defender Raphael Clarke could be sidelined for up to four matches after he suffered a hamstring injury in the win over the Sydney Swans at Docklands on Saturday night.

Clarke, who shone for the Saints in last year's finals after a tough battle with injury, illness and some personal problems, left the field during the third quarter of St Kilda's 15-point victory.

Premiership tagger Luke Ablett is a late omission for the Swans, with Ed Barlow taking his place for the clash with the Saints.

Nick Dal Santo says St Kilda players understand the team's strategy and game plan much better this year than previous years.

With his AFL career in its infancy, Jarryd Allen's injury curse struck again and may keep him out till 2010.

Zac Dawson will make a surprise Round 1 debut for St Kilda at the scene of his worst nightmare.

The Saints have told Dawson he will be promoted from the rookie list in time to confront Sydney at Docklands on Saturday week.

The successful return of St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt from knee surgery on Friday has been tempered by another leg injury to Max Hudghton.

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt is ready for round one, but defender Max Hudghton may be out for a month.