St Kilda Saints News

Anti-racism pioneer Nicky Winmar says he is saddened that racial abuse against Indigenous players continues to this day.

"The supporters need to just hold their breath and just sit back and watch the game and let the kids enjoy it,'' Winmar said.

"It's very sad but they are very supportive of their teams and sometimes they don't like, especially indigenous players, playing well."

Eddie Betts accepts a 3-match ban for rough conduct against St Kilda midfielder Nathan Wright.

Wright had to be substituted out of the game following Betts' high bump in the third quarter, and scans on Tuesday revealed he had a fractured jaw.

Nathan Wright says he was surprised to be picked up with St Kilda's first selection in the draft last November.

"I had just guessed that recruiters wouldn't have looked at me that highly because they didn't really rate my kicking that much," Wright said.

"I guess when I go for a run and get my speed up, I tend to struggle with my kicking.

"Then I was playing TAC and recruiters started talkingabout it. It's a bit tough and you're always hearing it and you think, 'I mightn't be that good a kick'."

St Kilda coach Scott Watters says Nick Dal Santo must learn to deal with taggers to get over his average early-season form.

"Dal has to work through the opposition pressure. That's part of the game. He's been through that many times over 12 years. He'll respond," Watters said.

"I haven't said it's a form slump either. I just think he gets quality players – Carrazzo will probably go to him this week and that's another challenge for him to absorb."

Justin Koschitzke needs three matches to reach 200 games once he serves his 2-game suspension, but St Kilda coach Scott Watters says the milestone will not be a factor in his decision on whether to recall him.

"The focuses are pretty simple for 'Kosi' – get yourself fit, get yourself in good form and fight your way back into the team. They're the issues he needs to address," Watters said.

"Do your penance, go back, play well, put your hand up for selection. That's the simple formula."

Justin Koschitzke says a two-match suspension for his off-the-ball hit on Collingwood youngster Jamie Elliott does not mean his career is over as suggested by media experts including former Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd.

"I'm by no means done as a lot of people out there are jumping to some conclusions and saying," Koschitzke said.

"I've still got the year to go, we're still very young in the year and other people are going to get their chance.

"I'll be working pretty hard to get back out there and put the red, white and black on again and finish the year off on a positive note."

Surgery has revealed that Sam Gilbert does not require a knee reconstruction but he will still miss eight to 12 weeks after having his lateral ligament repaired.

An incident involving St Kilda's Justin Koschitzke that left Magpie Jamie Elliott dazed during the second quarter of their round 6 clash at Etihad Stadium drew an angry response from sidelined Magpie Dayne Beams via Twitter.

"Fairly weak that by Justin Koschitzke," Beams tweeted before deleting his tweet.

After returning to the side, Stephen Milne expresses remorse over his actions which led to his suspension.

"It was a stupid thing last week to do, a bit of a brain fade," Mile said.

"Very disappointed I couldn't go over there and represent the footy club in such a big game on Anzac Day.

"I get along really well with Scotty and he's put the faith back in me so I've got to repay the footy club tomorrow night with a solid performance."

Ahmed Saad's long run-up when lining up for goal draws ridicule from commentators who suggest he should get his own marching band to play a tune during the event.

Scott Watters labels Stephen Milne's actions as 'stupid' after the forward was banned for one match for appearing to gouge Bomber Courtney Dempsey's face.

"It was just stupid. I don't think there was any major malice in it. It was just something that didn't need to happen," Watters said.

"It was not the sort of act that I expect from our leaders, Milney knows that, he's disappointed that he can't be there where he needs to be, which is actually playing alongside a number of our younger players."

Stephen Milne accepts a one-match ban for misconduct after being seen gouging and making unnecessary contact to Essendon defender Courtenay Dempsey's face.

Beau Maister will miss up to six weeks after fracturing a bone in his right wrist.

Saint recruit Dylan Roberton says he must keep working hard to keep his spot in the team.

"I wouldn't say I'm a guaranteed start and I'm not comfortable with my position," Roberton said.

"I'm definitely not relaxed and knowing that I'm going to get picked every week, so I'm just trying to do the things that will keep me in the team."

Dean Brogan is suspended for three matches following a high bump to Jack Newnes which resulted in the St Kilda youngster breaking his jaw.

Brogan said he had apologised to Newnes post-match and later via a text message and he felt terrible about an injury sustained from an incident he didn't feel was significant.

Newnes, who will miss one to two matches with a broken jaw, submitted a statement as evidence and said he went to bump Brogan to make his presence felt.

St Kilda extend Daniel Markworth's contract until the end of 2014 as the young forward recovers from a knee reconstruction suffered during the pre-season.

"They (St Kilda) have been really supportive. Ever since it happened they've said the security is always going to be there so once it's down on paper it is very reassuring," Markworth said.

"It's good now to concentrate on the rehab and hopefully play some good footy in 2014."

Sean Dempster faces a month out of football after fracturing his wrist against Richmond in round 2.

Dempster still played on in that after hurting his arm, a move defended by St Kilda coach Scott Watters.

"We wouldn't put a player back out there if he wasn't cleared from our doc," Watters said.

"There are minor fractures and severe fractures. It was taped and he was OK to play.

"There was no way that we would have a player out there if there was any potential long-term ramifications."

Former St Kilda hard man Steven Baker is banned from football for life after his involvement in an incident while playing for Sorrento.

Baker, who played 203 games for the Saints, was called before the Mornington Peninsula Football League tribunal after an incident that left Red Hill player Blake Thompson with a broken jaw on March 9.

The former AFL tagger was found not guilty of striking and not guilty of charging, but was found guilty of a rough conduct charge despite a lack of video evidence. The three field umpires also told the hearing they didn't see anything.

Baker was given a six-week suspension, but because that ban took him beyond a nationwide 16-week career suspension limit he was told he coudn't play football again at any level.

David Armitage re-signs with the Saints for a further three seasons.

"Long-term, it takes me to 10 years which is fantastic and I'm really looking forward to try and lead the club through more successful years,'' Armitage said.

"A couple of years ago some people wondered why I didn't leave, but you get to a club and you just form really strong friendships and tight bonds with certain players,."

Nick Riewoldt says recruit Dylan Roberton will slot nicely into the Saints' defence.

"He's got a spot down back that he's made his own in the pre-season and hopefully he can continue that in the early part of the year. I think he is a good chance to play round one," Riewoldt said about Roberton.

"He's deceptively tall (194cm). I think he could play, probably not on the really big boys, but definitely on a second or third tall."

Sam Fisher says he is largely unaffected by an article in The Age that accused him of being on the outer with teammates at St Kilda.

"The accusation, or the comments, made in a certain paper were disappointing and I was a little bit hurt by them," Fisher said.

"But have I lost any sleep over them? No, I haven't. Because I don't tend to worry about what's written about me, I never have and I never will, good or bad, and the way I look at it is, I can control what I control and whatever happens outside I can't control."

Rhys Stanley is expected to miss up to four weeks after hyperextending his knee against Sydney in the NAB Cup.

After 10 games in 2012, Beau Maister is hoping to become a regular for St Kilda in 2013.

"Last year was a challenging year and I was happy to a degree to get 10 games, but I'm really striving to improve on that this year," Maister said.

"As much as it's never easy because it's very demanding what we do, being my second year this year I've become closer with certain guys and I feel a bit more comfortable around the club.

"I know the structures a lot more now than when I came straight in last year."

Jack Steven signs a new deal with the Saints that will keep him at the club until the end of 2015.

"Jack is a key component of our midfield this year," St Kilda coach Scott Watters said.

"At 22 years of age he has completed his apprenticeship and is ready for greater responsibility and challenges. "This pre-season his growing maturity and professionalism has been a standout."

Jason Gram admits that he resents St Kilda for sacking him.

"I had some personal issues but I don't think the club needed to jump on board and sack me," Gram saic.

"I am shattered that my football career ended like that. I spent nine years at St Kilda. I barracked for St Kilda as a kid, and I love the St Kilda football club, but there are a few things I don't love there."

Jason Blake says he is grateful to have been offered a Saints lifeline after the club failed to secure West Coast defender Mitch Brown during the trade period.

"It wasn't a factor of whether I could play anymore; it was a fact about list management and where it sat," Blake said.

"I was very fortunate to get a call from Scotty to say that he would love to have me back on board to play a similar role to last year and just contribute as much as I could.

"I was very grateful and very, very happy to take that call."

Despite being carefully managed due to a troublesome knee, St Kilda coach Scott Watters says Nick Riewoldt is in as good a condition as he was last year.

"He's flying. He's going very well, keeps knocking on the door every morning asking to play, and I just have to say no at the moment," Watters said.

"[The knee] is something he's had to manage for three or four years now and medically, we were able to really get on top of it last year.

"I think we saw some really good footy from Nick last year because of that so it's been a very similar process which started with his pre-season, which is a modified pre-season."

Nick Riewoldt will captain St Kilda for an eight successive season under a new leadership structure.

Riewoldt will be joined by Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Ben McEvoy, James Gwilt, David Armitage, Sean Dempster and Jarryn Geary in the leadership group after Sam Fisher and Adam Schneider decided to step aside.

Raphael and Xavier Clarke prepare for a new relationship as the Flying Boomerangs head to South Africa with Xavier as the AFL's indigenous programs coordinator and Raphael coaching the side.

The Flying Boomerangs is a program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 14-15. The 25 players on the trip will play two matches against South African teams in Potchefstroom and Durban.

Jarryn Geary says improved consistency was the key to a good 2012 season for him.

"I had a pretty good pre-season and they showed a bit of faith in me. That was the key to last year. I have been more consistent than I was in previous years. In previous years [I] probably played a few good games here and there but then I would fall away," Geary said.

"It (consistency) is the one thing I am working on to try to continually improve that as well."

Daniel Markworth is set to miss most of next season after being booked in for a knee reconstruction to repair the anterior cruciate ligament he injured during a skills session at the Saints' training camp in Colorado.

Brendan Goddard along with Jason Winderlich and Dyson Heppell, is elevated into the Bomber's leadership group which also includes reigning Brownlow medallist and captain Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton, Heath Hocking, Michael Hurley and David Zaharakis.

Brendon Goddard denies St Kilda coach Scott Watters' assertion that his primary motivation for moving to Essendon was money.

"There was obviously reasons behind the move and they're entitled to their opinions and thoughts," Goddard said.

"I think I've made it pretty clear one of the benefits was a permanent spot in the midfield.

"Last year I did play 90 per cent of my footy as a half-forward. so that was something that appealed to me a lot – to be played as a permanent midfielder and try to get the best out of myself in a footy sense and the footy club can offer a lot for me personally as well."

St Kilda receives a massive boost with its captain and key forward Nick Riewoldt signing a contract extension until at least the end of 2014.

"I am really pleased to get it all done and locked away," Riewoldt said.

"I was always signed up for 2013, but it's great to get the extra year. I'm really excited to have at least another two years with St Kilda and hopefully more.

"I can't afford to look too far ahead. I will attack the next two years and then hopefully re-assess after that. But that hunger is still there to play for as long as I possibly can."

St Kilda confirms it will sign ex-Fremantle defender Dylan Roberton in the next free agency window.

The AFLPA will push the league to close the loophole that allowed St Kilda to dump Nick Winmar with a year to run on his contract.

"We believe that if a club contracts a player for two years then they should honour that contract, unless they have grounds to terminate, which is not the case here," AFLPA general manager of player relations, Ian Prendergast said.

"We are particularly concerned about the timing of the club's decision, being after the national draft and the adverse impact this will have on Nick furthering his career - especially given the compromised rookie draft due to rookie list positions being reduced by two spots for next season."

New Bomber Brendon Goddard declines to reveal all the reasons behind his departure from St Kilda.

"I'm not going to say the exact reason [I left] because there's more than one," Goddard told SEN radio.

"The four-year contract [Essendon offered] was quite important for my security and my partner's security but there are a number of things along with that.

"The opportunity to play more in the midfield is something appealing as well but that's all I'll say for now."

Nick Winmar has been released from the final year of his contract by St Kilda.

"Late last week we advised Nick and his manager that we would be releasing him from the final year of his contract," St Kilda's head of football Chris Pelchen said.

"This was a difficult decision, however we feel it is the right one for both Nick and the club. Nick has been a respected member of the Saints over the past three years and we wish him every success for the future."

Leigh Montagna says Sam Fisher's standing as a leader at the Saints is not in question despite a report from The Age indicating Fisher's behaviour over the post-season break may have put him on the outer.

"From my point of view, I saw the article and really, there was nothing in that," Montagna said.

"There's been no talk about that at all, about the leadership of Sam. He's a terrific player, he's won two best and fairests and is one of our most professional players.

"From the players' point of view, I didn't see much substance in that article."

St Kilda veteran Jason Blake will play on again next season after signing a new one-year deal with the club.

"I think the club is in a great position going forward in regards to the playing group, the coaching staff and the club itself and I want to be a part of that," Blake said.

"Half-way through the year I decided I would like to go again. I just wanted to see how my body was tracking and where the group sat with the new coach."

St Kilda recruit Tom Lee says he is better prepared for the rigours of AFL football after a failed stint at the Crows.

"It was a matter of coming directly out of school and going straight into a professional environment," Lee said.

"It was just getting used to senior football and just the ways of life, having jobs and responsibility, which I wasn't used to with school."

Scott Watters says the Saints aren't disappointed at losing Brendon Goddard.

"There's absolutely no disappointment from my side of the fence," Watters said.

"I've just come from a session with 14 young players that want to play at this football club and my energies are pretty much focused on them.

"Brendon's an Essendon player and I'm pretty keen to deal with the St Kilda players that are here."

St Kilda star Lenny Hayes has recovered well from heart surgery and is primed for a solid pre-season.

"We're just rapt that he's 100 per cent healthy and still on the mend but looking forward to another full season and full pre-season out of him," Saints coach Scott Watters said.

"It's a pretty good result for all concerned. He will be 100 per cent come round one, ready to play.

"At 32, Lenny would have been on a modified program right now regardless of whether he had an operation."

Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard warns supporters not to expect him to single-handedly turn around his new team.

"What I can offer the footy club as a footballer, and what the footy club can offer me as a person, so summing all that up I thought Essendon was a really good choice," Goddard said about why he chose the Bombers.

"I'm here obviously to offer a bit. I'll do my best to win games of footy as well, but I'm not going to be the saviour at all."

Star recruit Brendon Goddard is already impressing the Bombers with his leadership at the club's training camp.

"He is moving really well, his body is fresh, he is fit and he has started his training really well," Adelaide assistant coach Simon Goodwin said.

"He has settled into the group and acts like a leader of the group. That is what we expect from him as a 27-year-old coming into a new footy club you are looking for those leadership qualities and no doubt he has started to display those."

St Kilda has signed veteran Beau Wilkes and youngster Tom Ledger until the end of next season.

"Beau is an strong clubman that has very quickly become respected within the St Kilda inner sanctum," St Kilda coach Scott Watters said.

"Tom continues to develop his craft and we have high expectations for his continued improvement this pre-season and beyond."

St Kilda terminates the playing contract of Jason Gram for failing to heed warnings over his behaviour after the midfielder was charged with stalking.

"Obviously, we are disappointed to terminate Jason's playing contract with the Saints but unfortunately he has failed to meet the values shared across the St Kilda Football Club," St Kilda head of football Chris Pelchen said.

The Saints' decision has concerned the AFLPA.

"We understand a club's right to delist a player. However, while not understating the seriousness of the alleged conduct, the Players Association does not believe these matters remove the club from its contractual obligations," AFLPA player relations general manager Ian Prendergast said.

The Saints have also released a statement regarding the termination of Gram's contract.

"Following charges laid against Gram on September 6 this year, the Club in consultation with the AFL and AFLPA imposed an indefinite suspension on Gram and facilitated his participation in an AFLPA counselling program," the statement said.

"Regrettably, the inappropriate behaviour has continued and his manager was advised yesterday that the Club had decided to terminate Gram's contract, which had one year to run."

St Kilda veteran Jason Blake will play another season after the club failed to secure Eagle Mitch Brown.

"We rate Jason, obviously he's highly esteemed at the club and we had to wait until the trade period finished to keep all options open, and Jason was aware of that," St Kilda coach Scott Watters said.

"But we've been able to inform him today that he'll remain on the list and he'll have a key role to play next year."

Farren Ray's manager Marty Pask says the St Kilda midfielder is unlikely to join Melbourne.

"Obviously there have been reports that Melbourne are interested, but as it stands right now there's nothing there that can get anything over the line," Pask said.

"As it stands now he's a St Kilda football player ... there's nothing over this three or four weeks that's suggested otherwise."

St Kilda has lost its fight to swap Jamie Cripps for Eagle Mitch Brown, losing Cripps to West Coast for an exchange of picks.

"He's a young guy we think can add some pace to our midfield and can play a few roles for us, so we're really pleased to get it done," West Coast's national recruiting manager Rohan O'Brien said.

"St Kilda were very fair all the way through with what they did, but we were keen to keep Mitch and hopefully he'll be with us for a number of years to come."

Swans forward Trent Dennis-Lane has joined St Kilda just before the end of the trade period in exchange for pick 47.

Mitch Brown's manager says St Kilda has offered Jamie Cripps and a high draft pick to West Coast in exchange for his client.

"I would've thought Cripps and pick 25 for Mitch would probably be fair and reasonable," Brown's manager Liam Pickering said.

"But that what's on the table, and at the moment they're not going to take it."

Jamie Cripps may nominate for the draft if the Saints and Eagles can't agree to a trade.

"Jamie has made his mind up that he wants to go home to Western Australia. He's homesick and wants to be closer to his family and girlfriend," Cripps' manager Jason Dover said.

"So he's prepared to nominate for the draft if needs be, which would leave St Kilda with nothing. But we're hopeful it won't come to that."

Raph Clarke's manager says there is still interest from rival clubs in the St Kilda defender despite the unrestricted free agent remaining unsigned at the end of the free agency period deadline.

"We're hoping that something can get done this week," Clarke's manager Tim Hazell said.

"There's a little bit of interest out there. There's a slight chance he might stay at St Kilda, but that's a bit of a longshot at this stage. After nine years, he's wanting a fresh start."

St Kilda is awarded a first-round compensation pick at No. 13 in return for the loss of free agent Brendon Goddard to Essendon.

The Eagles say the will not trade defender Mitch Brown despite interest from St Kilda.

The Saints have indicated to West Coast they would accept Brown in a trade for versatile 20-year-old Jamie Cripps, who wants to return to WA.

"We'd definitely look at recontracting him … there's always risk in 12 months' time if we haven't done that and we recognise that," Eagles list manager Craig Vozzo said.

"I think he sees there's opportunity here. We certainly have identified that for him.

Farren Ray's manager says the St Kilda midfielder will likely stay a Saint despite struggling for opportunities in 2012.

"I do [think he'll stay a Saint] at the moment, most definitely. Nothing has jumped up at this point in time that suggests otherwise," Ray's manager Marty Pask said.

"St Kilda certainly haven't mentioned anything otherwise, so at this point in time, I foresee him being a St Kilda footballer and he's got that one year to go for next season.

Raphael Clarke could be on his way out of the Saints with the Blues and Giants showing interest in the defender.

"He was frustrated he didn't get the opportunity he felt he deserved [at St Kilda]," Clarke's manager Tim Hazell said.

"Like anyone who has been in the system for eight years, you'd want to be playing consistent AFL football and he feels his body is up and ready to roll. He wants to get that opportunity."

Essendon coach James Hird says Brendon Goddard has joined the team with the expectation of success.

"Brendon's come for opportunity and he's come to be part of a successful team," Hird said.

"I've talked to him about where I want this club to be, the way we want him to be a part of it, the role we want him to play and to be one of our players.

"We don't need him to be a superstar. We don't need him to be the best player on the ground every week. We just need him to play a role in our group and play a really big role in our midfield."

Essendon says claims that Brendon Goddard was offered a post-football job in his contract talks with the Dons are inaccurate despite Ray Horsburgh, the chairman of Toll, confirming the offer in the Herald Sun.

"At no stage has the club received or discussed any employment matter with Brendon other than his playing contract with the club," a statement from the club said.

"The suggestion that a third party or related party deal has been tabled to help secure Brendon is factually incorrect.

"The club has never and will never publicly disclose contractual and employment arrangements for its players and staff and refutes the unsubstantiated comments made today, as they are categorically false."

St Kilda has confirmed it will not match Essendon's bid for veteran Brendon Goddard.

"We made a significant offer to Brendon that was relative to both his position and other players within the team," St Kilda's head of football Chris Pelchen said.

"While we are disappointed at his decision to leave the Saints, we are absolutely committed to our 'team first' philosophy in relation to player contracts.

"While we were keen to retain Brendon's services, the club respects his right to exercise his options under new free agency rules."

Brendon Goddard officially nominates Essendon as his preferred club.

"We can confirm the club has made an offer to secure the services of Brendon Goddard after he nominated Essendon as his destination of choice as a free agent," Bombers CEO Ian Robson said.

"We must now be respectful of the restricted free agency process and will not make any further comment until this process is completed."

As a restricted free agent, St Kilda have three days to match Essendon's offer should they choose to do so.

St Kilda has not given up hope of changing Jamie Cripps' mind about returning to Western Australia after reports emerged over Grand Final weekend that Cripps had walked out on the Saints and hoped to return home.

Media reports that Brendon Goddard will sign a four-year contract to play with Essendon, forcing St Kilda to match the Bombers' offer of between $675,000 and $725,000 a year or lose its star.

Essendon are reported to have offered Brendon Goddard a four-year deal worth $800,000 a season as well as a leadership position to lure him from the Saints.

The media reports that Essendon is in the box seat to secure St Kilda star Brendon Goddard as other clubs give up the chase.

St Kilda star Brendon Goddard heads the list of six restricted free agents released by the AFL which also includes Essendon's Angus Monfries, Melbourne's Brent Moloney, Port Adelaide duo Danyle Pearce and Troy Chaplin and Richmond's Luke McGuane.

St Kilda veteran Jason Blake has earned his first Brownlow Medal votes - coming in his 210th AFL game.

Playing in the ruck, Blake tallied 28 hitouts, 21 disposals, 8 tackles and a goal to be named the Saints' 2nd best player with 2 votes against the Suns.

St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt will take a $500,000 pay cut to play next season and is likely to be overtaken as the club's top-paid player.

Sean Dempster is named in the back pocket of the 2012 All-Australian side and says he has coach Scott Watters to thank for his standout season.

"Over the last few years, my way of contributing to the team was in more of a defensive role," he said.

"Since Scott's come in, from day one he gave me confidence in the other areas of my game that I probably hadn't realised and used in the last few years."

Lenny Hayes wins his third St Kilda best and fairest award, narrowly beating Leigh Montagna.

"Lenny's achievement in winning the 2012 best and fairest is an outstanding example of his professionalism. His return from injury this year has further illustrated the character and commitment that has defined his whole career," Saints coach Scott Watters said.

"His impact on his teammates as a role model is immeasurable and his will to perform at a consistently high level positions him as a standard bearer at our football club."

Brendon Goddard has been inducted as a life member of St Kilda as speculation continues to swirl about his future.

Saint Leigh Montagna will miss St Kilda's opening game of 2013 after the AFL Tribunal upheld his one-match suspension for rough conduct against Carlton's Andrew Walker.

Essendon look set to make a major play for out-of-contract St Kilda utility Brendon Goddard.

"Obviously Brendon is a fantastic player and would be a great addition to our club, or any club, but we haven't really taken it any further than that," Essendon coach James Hird told SEN radio.

"It's been an internal discussion and I think he's got a decision to make on free agency, which comes up in three weeks time."

St Kilda has delisted four players after its 2012 campaign ended with a ninth-place finish including Dean Polo, Sam Crocker, Daniel Archer and Brett Peake.

"We would like to express our appreciation to all four players for their contribution to the St Kilda football club and wish them every success for the future," St Kilda coach Scott Watters said.

Brett Peake is set to leave St Kilda and return to old club East Fremantle after failing to find opportunities at AFL level under new Saints coach Scott Watters.

"He's got some strong relationships with players like Richard Hadley and Steven Dodd. He's played footy in previous years with those boys so he has those relationships," East Fremantle football operations manager Damien Gaspar said.

St Kilda coach Scott Watters says unrestricted free agent Justin Koschitzke is a required player at the Saints..

"He offers really good leadership," Watters told Melbourne radio station 1116 SEN.

"We've got some young key forwards - Rhys Stanley and Jay Lever - who are coming through, and the work that 'Kosi' has done behind the scenes with Rhys this year … he won't get a lot of plaudits for that from the outside, but internally he's done a great job.

Brett Ratten finishes his coaching career at Carlton with a loss to St Kilda and says he deliberately avoided greeting the fans at the end of the game to thank them for their support.

"I'm just a passing piece of history at the football club," he said during his press conference.

"I really appreciated the applause before the game, at quarter-time, at three-quarter time, but at the end of the game the curtain was drawn on my coaching at Carlton."

Former St Kilda star Nicky Winmar is reportedly in a Perth hospital after suffering a heart attack.

Young St Kilda forward Arryn Siposs is the latest Saint to re-sign, inking a new three-year deal.

"To play for the club I've supported all my life is very special," Siposs said.

"I've been pleased with my form this season and excited to be continuing my progression with St Kilda."

Carlton sacks Brett Ratten, as president Stephen Kernahan explains the anguish surrounding the club's 'harsh' decision.

"The club has been ruthless in its quest for success and that's one of its great strengths as a footy club," Kernahan said.

"At the end of the day we didn't play finals and that was our objective."

Ratten says he will coach out the year in the Blues' final game against St Kilda.

"Why hide? Why run away? If you want to be a leader of any organisation, you have to make sometimes hard decisions," Ratten said.

"I started the year, I want to finish the year ... that is my role and I am not hiding from one thing."

Scott Watters isn't comfortable with the uncertainty around Brendon Goddard's future, but is confident of retaining the out-of-contract star.

"We think we've put a really strong offer to Brendon and his importance to the club going forward is integral to it but under the new system he has an opportunity to test the market," Watters said.

"It is irrelevant whether I like it or not, that is the situation and I support the whole concept, but it can be awkward sitting there as a coach while you're in that concept as well."

St Kilda veterans Lenny Hayes says he is excited after signing a new deal with the Saints.

"It's a good place to be around, with all of the young guys coming through," said Hayes.

"I'm glad to go through this year with my knee, and can't wait for next year.

"It will be my 15th season next year so I've been around a while, but it goes pretty quick as well so I'm definitely enjoying every moment."

Lenny Hayes has agreed to a new one-year deal with the Saints while three other big names have also committed to the club including Leigh Montagna, Stephen Milne and Sam Gilbert.

"Without strong leadership this group wont progress," Saints coach Scott Watters said.

"Lenny, Stephen, Sammy and Joey are loyal one-club players who we value extremely highly. Their leadership is integral moving forward."

Coach Scott Watters says St Kilda won't offer Brendon Goddard the captaincy in a bid to keep him at the club.

"At no stage would captaincy be offered as cream on the cake for a contract," Watters said.

"That would be disrespecting the privilege of being captain; captaincy is earnt and to me it shouldn't be an incentive."

Nick Riewoldt says he won't play again this season after revealing he wasn't close to making a return against Geelong last Friday despite media reports that he was training well.

"I tried to run, tried to do everything, but functionally once the tendon stops working there's nothing you can do and there's no anaesthetic in the world which can get you up," Riewoldt told the Herald Sun.

"I tried my best, but I wasn't even close."

St Kilda coach Scott Watters says the club has done what it can to retain Brendon Goddard and it is now up to him to commit.

"We have put a contract in front of Brendon and we certainly want him staying at this footy club," Watters said.

"We're comfortable with what we've put in front of Brendon and the way that's been managed to this point.

"Do we want Brendon here? Absolutely. But Brendon has a right through that agreement to test the market. That's his right. That's his choice."

Jarryn Geary has been St Kilda's most improved player in 2012.

"Last year I broke my leg and I didn't play too much footy. I missed 14 weeks so to have a full pre-season this year gave me a lot more confidence," Geary said.

"That helped and maybe with the new coach and coaching staff I thought I needed to step it up and show what I was capable of. That helped me achieve a role in the team and I've done that more consistently than in the last couple of years."

Nick Riewoldt says Brendon Goddard is the obvious choice to captain the Saints in 2013.

"Ideally for the club, I'm not captain next year," Riewoldt said.

"I think BJ's [Goddard] probably the front runner, but you look at the age and the demographic, BJ's 27.

"So it depends which way the club wants to go and I think they'll sit down at some stage and have a really good talk about it and I'm sure I'll be part of some of those discussions."

A on-field clash with Lenny Hayes leaves Cat Taylor Hunt with a broken nose but Hayes says it was just an unfortunate incident.

"It was one of those ones in footy where in hindsight you can look at the replay and it looks like there might be another option," the Saint veteran said after the match.

"But I just saw the footy and accelerated at the footy and at the last second saw Hunt out of the corner of my eye.

"By then it was probably too late to do anything else. It was an unfortunate head clash I think and I'm just happy he was OK and right to play on."

Former St Kilda hardman Steven Baker says injured players "should be targeted" by opponents if they remain on the field of play.

"I think if you're on the ground you're a target and you should be targeted if you've got an injury," he said during an interview with Mike Sheahan.

"It's a man's game. It's been getting soft over the last four or five years - they're changing the rules to suit the umpires and not the players, making it easier to mediate rather than a better game to watch."

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt has been ruled out of Friday night's must-win clash against the Cats despite reportedly training well during the week.

"Nick won't be available this week. [He's had] a lot of improvement throughout the week but he's not quite right. Someone will get an opportunity to come in which is still exciting for us," Saints coach Scott Watters said.

St Kilda's Sam Dunell says turned his back on cricket to chance his arm in the AFL after finally growing physically.

"There was no doubt I was nowhere near ready and I always loved playing footy and continued to play but my cricket was more advanced than my footy through school," Dunell said.

"I was playing in some rep sides and state sides through my junior career cricket career. It was only from when I got out of school that I started to grow and my body started to mature."

Saint Nick Riewoldt did not fully train on Tuesday due to an injured knee but has not been ruled out of Friday's must-win clash against Geelong.

"I know he's pain free and he has got a scan this afternoon. We've got our fingers crossed and hopefully he is ready to play," teammate Nick Dal Santo said.

"Nick's attitude is always pretty positive. Obviously he's got a bit of a challenge this week to be able to play but at this stage he's really optimistic as we all are and the medical staff will assess him throughout the rest of the week."

St Kilda coach Scott Watters says Stephen Milne needs to take responsibility for his homophobic slur towards Harry O'Brien.

"The players are under enormous pressures, but you do still have a choice on what you say and how you react," Watters said.

"So Stephen's choice of vocab was poor. You need to be disciplined, you need to be controlled, and it's not about laying blame at the doorstep of someone else."

St Kilda's Sam Fisher says teammate Stephen Milne is remorseful for his homophobic comment directed at Harry O'Brien.

"Milney's a very resilient character and he's been through a lot throughout his career so there's no doubt he's very sorry for what he said," Fisher said.

"In this day and age, it's unacceptable and the club's made a strong stance on what was said but 'Milney' is a very strong character and he'll obviously be sorry for what he said but he'll bounce back and be a better person and he'll play some good footy for us for the rest of the year I'm sure."

St Kilda fine small forward Stephen Milne $3000 for his homophobic remark against Collingwood's Harry O'Brien.

"It has been confirmed that Milne made an inappropriate homophobic comment towards O'Brien during the course of play in last weekend's AFL round 19 match at the MCG which has breached the AFL Players' Code of Conduct and the AFL's Policy on Discrimination and Vilification," the Saints said.

"As a consequence of this breach, Milne will be sanctioned $3000 by the St Kilda FC and be required to undertake an AFL Education Program to address the inappropriate nature of his comments."

The AFL opens an investigation into an exchange between St Kilda's Stephen Milne and Collingwood's Harry O'Brien during their round 19 clash.

The AFL's integrity officer, Brett Clothier, has interviewed players and officials this week following a report of the incident by field umpire Dean Margetts.

Justin Koschitzke says he is pleased to find some consistency with the senior team this year.

"I think probably just the consistency and work rate I've been able to put out has been a lot better. I don't want to mozz myself but I've missed only one game and that was through suspension," he said.

"The body has been really good this year after a good pre-season. I've been happy with my output, being able to support the other forwards and support Benny McEvoy in the ruck and put in some solid performances. It has been a successful year."

St Kilda defender Jason Blake is set to return from injury against Melbourne on Saturday.

"Jason had a syndesmosis injury to the ankle; which is the ligament between the fibula and the tibia. This needed to be repaired surgically to restore normal function," high performance manager Peter Burge said in a statement released by the Saints.

"While it was a significant injury, Jason's rehabilitation program has been pleasing."

Off-season surgery to his shins has led to Tom Simpkin becoming a key plank in St Kilda's defence.

"It was crazy. There were days where I couldn't get out of bed in the morning," Simpkin said.

"The docs said there was surgery that could be done so I wanted to get right into it straight away."

Simpkin said the departure of Ross Lyon and Zac Dawson opened the door for more opportunities at the club as a defender.

"Once Zac left I knew there was an opportunity there. Obviously it wasn't going to be handed to me just because we were short on key backs," he said.

"On day one of pre-season I knew I had to work hard."

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt reveals the secret behind his good form this year is orthokine therapy, a process that obtains anti-inflammatory proteins from the patient's own blood and injects them into an arthritic joint.

"I'm sure there are a few players in the competition that are doing it. It's given me a bit of a lift in the second half of the year. Certainly there are some up and down weeks and six day breaks play a bit more of a part but I feel good," Riewoldt said.

Brendon Goddard has given the strongest indication yet that he will remain with St Kilda.

"As I've said all along, we've been in constant talks with the footy club and they are the discussions we're having at the minute and I think it's pretty clear what my intentions are," Goddard said.

"I've said all along I'm happy where I am."

St Kilda coach Scott Watters says the club will put an educational program around Jack Steven in light of his recent drink driving indiscretion.

"It's been a tough week for him, but you've got to be accountable for your actions and he will be. He'll move forward from this," Waters said.

"Jack made a poor choice, [but] at the same time we have a responsibility to put an educational program around Jack and make sure that the next five, six, seven, eight years of his career are really solid."

St Kilda has elevated Sam Dunell to its primary list, with a senior call-up a distinct possibility.

"Sammy has worked hard for his opportunity and his elevation is on the back of consistent form and elite preparation," St Kilda coach Scott Waters said.

"He is competitive, reads the game well, has very good hands and is another of our younger players that will develop the capacity to play numerous roles."

Seven years after his career looked to have stalled, St Kilda's Jason Gram plays his 150th game against his former club this weekend.

"I pretty much begged for a one-year contract to (former Saints coach) Grant Thomas at the end of '05," Gram said.

"He gave me that one year, and that pre-season I did everything I could to show I deserved to be here, (and) 2006 was my breakout season I guess. If I hadn't have done that, I probably wouldn't be sitting here right now."

St Kilda teenager Arryn Siposs is the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for round 15 after a strong showing against Essendon with 17 disposals, 6 marks and 2 goals.

"This year Arryn has dedicated himself to becoming professional in the way he prepares," St Kilda coach Scott Watters said.

"His capacity to play multiple roles combined with his elite kicking skills are highly valued. And with a continued focus on improvement we believe Arryn can develop into an extremely versatile player."

Defender Jarryn Geary has extended his contract with St Kilda until the end of 2014.

"(It's) pretty exciting to be able to play the next couple of years with St Kilda," he said.

"We've been developing some exciting young players this year, so I'm looking forward to being part of the future with them."

St Kilda has suspended Jack Steven for a week after the midfielder was caught drink-driving.

"Jack has apologised for his mistake and acknowledges the broader responsibility that comes with being an AFL footballerk," Saints head of football Chris Pelchen said.

Saint Brendon Goddard is urged by his coach to control his agression and better deal with the attention of his on-field rivals.

"There's probably been two occasions this year where opposition sides have pressed the buttons and his responses have detracted from his game," Watters said.

"Brendon and I have discussed that, he's got a pretty strong template of how he wants to deal with that."

Saints coach Scott Watters admits he once hated Stephen Milne for the headaches he caused as an opponent but now sees him as an invaluable member of the team.

"Literally within the first week of being here, it was really evident the impact he has on the group," Watters said.

"I've said this a number of times now but his training impact, spiritually what he offers the group … AFL seasons are a really tough grind, and to have players like 'Milney' around make the journey much more enjoyable.

"Saints fans love him, his coaches have loved him, I've probably joined in that bracket, his teammates love playing with him."

On the eve of his 250th game, Stephen Milne says he owes his career to Adam Ramanauskas.

"I got knocked back and wasn't getting any letters from any AFL clubs after a couple of OK years at the Stingrays and then I did a pre-season at Frankston," Milne said.

"I was lucky enough to be mates with Adam Ramanauskas and I got the invite to Essendon. I wouldn't be here if I didn't get that invite down."

St Kilda finals hopes have suffered a blow, with news the club has lost two of its key talls in Rhys Stanley and Jason Blake for six weeks each with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.

Disgraced player agent Ricky Nixon prepares legal action against former clients, including Nick Dal Santo who he claims owes him at least $40,000.

Young Saint Jack Newnes' says he has already exceeded his expectations so far this year after playing five games.

"To get those under my belt has been a big surprise. At the start of the year I would have been rapt with one game," he said.

"Initially I wanted to get a bit bigger and improve in the VFL then try to get a couple of games. Another few games would be great as well."

St Kilda has secured the signature of important defender James Gwilt, keeping him at the club until the end of 2014.

"I've re-signed for another two years, which I'm really happy about," Gwilt said.

"I've always hoped to be a one-club player. I'm feeling pretty good, I know there's a massive opportunity for us at the moment, as a group."

St Kilda ruckman Rhys Stanley will be a Saint until the end of 2015 after signing a new deal.

"I couldn't be happier, the club has shown faith in me until the end of 2015, so I'm stoked," Stanley said in a statement.

"I'm really excited to push this club forward and grow the membership base, and help develop the club as one of the big powerhouses of the competition."

Nick Riewoldt says the AFL umpiring department should publicly admit if they make umpiring mistakes.

"I understand the argument about free speech, but as a player you just know you can't comment on [umpiring calls]," he said.

"But something that might appease the players and supporters a little bit ... is [if] on a Monday or a Tuesday the umpiring department came out and said, 'This decision was wrong and this decision was wrong'."

Robert Harvey is inducted into the AFL's Hall of Fame.

"When I got the phone call, it made me really take a step back and reflect a bit on when I played, which already seems so long ago," Harvey said of his induction.

"It's just a great honour. I suppose it's really nice recognition, from my family's point of view as well."

Nick Riewoldt kicks his 500th career goal during a seven-goal haul in a comprehensive 95-point win over Gold Coast.

St Kilda defender Sam Gilbert admits that he hasn't been playing at his best so far in 2012.

"A bit inconsistent; I think I found it a little bit hard to get a bit of touch," Gilbert said of his form this year.

"It's hard to explain with form because sometimes you think it is confidence. Personally, I think it's preparation, it's touch. It's not getting to the game and being unsure of what you need to do. I think the more prepared I am, the more confident I am."

Brendon Goddard says his contract situation has not been a distraction despite the utility becoming an unsigned free agent at the end of 2012.

"Some of the speculation is laughable because it is really manufactured and doesn't have any legs," Goddard said.

"When the time arises I'll make that decision. At the minute I'm comfortable where I'm at and with the situation."

St Kilda's Jamie Cripps has learnt to deal with type 1 diabetes and is beginning to deliver on his promise.

"I was worried. I didn't really know what was going to happen. My dad has got type 1 diabetes as well and he has helped me out a lot. He's told me that's not going to stop me from doing anything," he said.

"I got the hang of it pretty quickly. I watched my dad have the needles four times a day when I was growing up so I knew what I had to do, I just had to toughen up and do it."

James Gwilt tells about the 'dark times' he had following a knee reconstruction before a successful return to football against Sydney in round 9.

"Initially it was hard because I was doing a lot of training by myself, especially when the boys had their off-season break and I was coming into the club by myself and I was pretty much the only one there," Gwilt said.

"When I first did it things were pretty grim and I was a bit down in the dumps, but as soon as I got back to the club and started training I started to see some progression with the knee."

St Kilda defeat the Swans to celebrate Lenny Hayes' 250th game but the popular Saint tried, without luck, to deflect the attention away from his achievement..

"It has been a big week, and a bit of that stuff doesn't sit comfortably with me, but I've had great support over my whole career and it was great to be able to play in front of a big Saints crowd and ultimately get the win," Hayes said about his milestone game.

"Milestones tend to creep up on you a little bit, but it's not about individuals, it's about the team and I'm just glad that I was drafted by this club and have been able to play for the club my whole career."