Savatage
9 Jul 2001, 22:45
Taken from the age:St Kilda coach Malcolm Blight will deliver this week on an early promise to play every player on the club's senior list this season.
Against Adelaide on Friday night, the injury-ravaged Saints will introduce two newcomers and a player who has not played for more than three years, bringing the number of players used at senior level this season to 39.
In will come Nick Riewoldt, the No.1 choice in last year's national draft, the rookie-listed Chris Oliver, and Jason Cripps, who has not played since early in 1998.
Riewoldt, recruited from the Gold Coast last year, had an early setback when he had knee surgery last Christmas before complications restricted him further.
The 18-year-old played for the first time for Springvale reserves a fortnight ago, and last weekend took 14 marks on a wing and across half- forward in the senior VFL team.
Oliver, who turned 19 yesterday, is expected to be the second player promoted from the Saints' rookie list this season, behind Stephen Milne.
St Kilda football operations manager Brian Waldron last night said the Saints had room in their salary cap to upgrade ruckman Oliver after placing captain Robert Harvey on the long-term injury list.
"We've sought permission from the AFL and it'll be a formality," Waldron said.
The 24-year-old Cripps has finally overcome a recurring hamstring problem that has prevented him from playing for more than three years, in which time he has twice had surgery to re-attach his hamstring to the bone.
Last weekend, he gathered 32 possessions in the VFL, in only the second time he has managed three consecutive games since the 1997 grand final.
Defender Daniel Wulf became the latest St Kilda player to make the first team when he made his debut against Brisbane at the Gabba last Saturday.
After this weekend's round 15, St Kilda will have played more players at senior level than any other club this year, two more than the top-of-the-ladder Bombers.
Against Adelaide on Friday night, the injury-ravaged Saints will introduce two newcomers and a player who has not played for more than three years, bringing the number of players used at senior level this season to 39.
In will come Nick Riewoldt, the No.1 choice in last year's national draft, the rookie-listed Chris Oliver, and Jason Cripps, who has not played since early in 1998.
Riewoldt, recruited from the Gold Coast last year, had an early setback when he had knee surgery last Christmas before complications restricted him further.
The 18-year-old played for the first time for Springvale reserves a fortnight ago, and last weekend took 14 marks on a wing and across half- forward in the senior VFL team.
Oliver, who turned 19 yesterday, is expected to be the second player promoted from the Saints' rookie list this season, behind Stephen Milne.
St Kilda football operations manager Brian Waldron last night said the Saints had room in their salary cap to upgrade ruckman Oliver after placing captain Robert Harvey on the long-term injury list.
"We've sought permission from the AFL and it'll be a formality," Waldron said.
The 24-year-old Cripps has finally overcome a recurring hamstring problem that has prevented him from playing for more than three years, in which time he has twice had surgery to re-attach his hamstring to the bone.
Last weekend, he gathered 32 possessions in the VFL, in only the second time he has managed three consecutive games since the 1997 grand final.
Defender Daniel Wulf became the latest St Kilda player to make the first team when he made his debut against Brisbane at the Gabba last Saturday.
After this weekend's round 15, St Kilda will have played more players at senior level than any other club this year, two more than the top-of-the-ladder Bombers.