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sum0005
17 Nov 2005, 17:14
1. JUSTIN PECKETT- His last year at the club in 2006.
Just like Thompson has had a great carrer with the Saints.
Will play the role of coming on and off the bench in 2006 like he did in 2005.

2. AARON HAMILL- People still believe he should be captain.
The hard nut of the club and loves a physical contest.
A great leader and helps out his team mates when needed. Should play forward, there is no really other place to put him.
St.Kilda struggled when he was injured and when he came back the Saints were on song again

3. XAVIER CLARKE- Great Aboriginal player and has the excitment to take a huge grab.
Took two hangers against Geelong in his 1st season and ever since hasnt really done much to the club. Needs to have a better season in 2006 or he is out.

4. ANDREW THOMPSON- Like Peckett, is on his last season with the Saints.
Plays similar to Peckett coming on and off the bench and having a huge impact in the game as soon as he comes on.

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6. LEIGH FISHER- Injuries blighted this promising defender's 2004 season, just when he seemed poised to nail down a place in the senior side. Played five games from round five before suffering a hamstring injury. Returned for three games with Springvale, but was ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury. If he can stay fit, will be a valuable asset.

7. LENNY HAYES-Gave an emphatic thumbs-up to Grant Thomas' captaincy rotation policy. Relished his role as skipper in 2004, his leadership never better than in the preliminary final when he almost propelled the Saints into the Grand Final. Led the AFL in tackles and was No. 1 for handballs at the club. Followed up his 2003 best and fairest with a third-place finish and will be better for his year as captain. His best game in 2005 was against Port Adelaide were he had 30 touches.

8. MAX HUDGHTON-Missed the first five games of 2004 with a shoulder injury, but was rushed back to face Brisbane in round six and didn't let anyone down. It was no coincidence the Saints slumped when he missed four matches with a broken finger later in the year. The veteran is versatile enough to play on any forward, tall or small, and brilliantly negated Sydney's Barry Hall in the semi-final in season 2004. Played his best game in season 2005 was against Carlton were he had 15 touches.

9. FRASER GEHRIG- A landmark year for the power forward who became the first Saint to boot 100 goals in a season since Tony Lockett in 1992. Edged out Essendon superboot Matthew Lloyd by one goal to land the Coleman Medal and earned All-Australian honours for the second time. Kicked a career-high 10 goals against the Kangaroos in round 20 and nine against Carlton in round nine in season 2004. Also won the coleman medal in 2005 to make it back to back for the Saints forward, nearly called it quits, but saved his carrer for one more year at the Saints. The Saints' premiership aspirations rest heavily on his broad shoulders.

10. STEVEN BAKER- Equally adept as a tagger or in the backline,Questions remain about his temperament after he received a four-match suspension for striking Tiger Kane Johnson in round three in 2004. Defiently not a kid and defiently not a veteran, is in the middle stages of his carrer and looks to be a key defender in the years to come.

11. LEIGH MONTAGNA- Played the 2nd half of the season and looked to bring alot of run to the side.
PLays wing/half forward and can kick some goals when he is on song. At 22 looks to have a great carrer ahead of him.


12. NICK REIWOLDT- At just 22, the inspirational forward is among the AFL's elite performers and was voted the most valuable player by his peers. Got even better in 2004, landing his second club best and fairest, placing seventh in the Brownlow Medal and earning All-Australian honours. Took a staggering 256 marks, 64 more than anyone else in the AFL, and significantly improved his goalkicking with 67, including nine against Melbourne in round 15. He became the captain of the Saints in 2005 and arguably didnt do a good enough job.

13. BRETT VOSS- Emerged from the shadows of his superstar brother in 2004 and forged a sterling reputation of his own. Renowned for his bravery, the defender showed All-Australian form in the early part of the year before breaking his jaw against Fremantle in round seven. Returned strongly to finish ninth in the club's best and fairest award. People say his is no way near the player his brother is but they are 2 different players and Voss is a legend of were he plays.

14. LUKE BALL- There was cause for celebration when the young midfielder signed a two-year deal at the end of 2004. Belied his years to play all 25 games and is now a crucial cog in the Saints' midfield. Took out second place in the best and fairest in just his second year of senior football and was in the top three for handballs, tackles, inside 50s and hard-ball gets in season 2004.At the age of 21, Fans will be licking their lips at the thought of what's to come.

15. JASON GRAM- The tall midfielder barely had a chance to show his wares as persistent hamstring problems scuppered his 2004 season. Broke into the side in round 15 but, one game later, the former Lion's season was over. Another with something to prove in 2006.

16. RAPHAEL CLARKE- Fans waited until round 17 for the highly anticipated debut of the younger Clarke in 2004. That game against Essendon was his sole senior appearance as injuries hampered his first year, although he managed 10 matches for Springvale. Should feature more prominently in 2006.

17. STEPHEN POWELL- Tried and trusted performer, who is the silent achiever of a star-studded running division. The tough left-footer played 20 games in 2004, but his hardness and experience were missed when he was a surprise omission from the qualifying final side against the Lions. Thrived on his return in the next two finals. Plays the similar roles as Thompson and Peckett coming on and off the bench ready to make an impact.

18. BRENDON GODDARD- Made steady if unspectacular progress at half-back in 2004 and it was a relief when he committed his future to the club for another two years. Much like his team, he suffered a mid-year slump, but recovered to finish the home and away season in convincing fashion. His best-on-ground performance against Fremantle in round 22 was a striking reminder of his precocious talent. Didnt do much in season 2005. Isnt one of the favourite players in the Afl but hopes and looks to have a great season ahead.

19. LUKE PENNY- Now an established member of the Saints' spine, it is a testament to the full-back's value that the defence was notably weaker when he missed four games with a hamstring injury from round 15. Held his own against some of the competition's most potent forwards, such as Matthew Lloyd and Brendan Fevola, and stood tall in the finals campaign. The former Bulldog was 10th in the best and fairest. Had an average season in 2005.

20. ALAN MUARRY- Following sparkling performances at the end of 2003, the young forward failed to establish himself in the senior side in 2004, despite solid performances for Springvale. Managed just two senior appearances, including a surprise call-up for the qualifying final defeat against Brisbane. Faces a big challenge in 2006.

21. MATTHEW FERGUSON- Made the most of a spate of injuries to fellow defenders in the mid-season to play five games from round 16. Impressed at centre half-back, but a hamstring injury ruled him out of contention for the climax to the season 2004. Didnt get much of a go in season 2005. One to watch in 2006.

22. AARON FIORA- The Saints hope a change of club provides the perfect tonic for the hard-running half-back's stop-start career. The 1999 No. 3 overall draft pick endured a frustrating campaign with Richmond.
Didnt get much of a go in season 2005 and looks set to be a main player in 2006. At 24 getting into the middle stages of his carrer.

23. JUSTIN Koschitzke- Such is his range of talents, the athletic all-rounder can play in attack, defence or the ruck, each with alarming ease. Gives a handy option as a third tall up forward, kicking 20 goals in 2004, and won plaudits for his display at centre half-back on Brisbane powerhouse Jonathan Brown in round 21. The only concern is he remains injury-prone, missing seven games with a dislocated elbow in season 2004.
Was captain for four games in season 2005 and maybe the certainty to be the captain of the Saints in season 2006.Played his best game in 2005 against the Tigers were he had 16 touches and kicked 5 goals.

24. BARRY BROOKS- With the inclusion of Ackland now looks to be a main player for Springvale. Cant get a game whilst Ackland and Kositske are playing in the ruck. Much is expected of the 21-year-old and now is the time to deliver.

25. SAM FISHER- After debuting against Fremantle in round seven, the youngster was thrown to the wolves in round 15 as a result of the club's injury crisis in the backline. Held his own at full-back and centre half-back before making way in round 20. Will have benefitted from the experience in season 2004. Was great in season 2005 because of the injuries to the St.Kilda's defence players. Still only at 23.

26. NICK DAL SANTO- Is there a more skilful player going around? With delightful poise and cool composure, the talented midfielder is a joy to watch. Enjoyed his first injury-free season in 2004.
Also had a great season in 2005 and finished third in the brownlow medal finishing with eighteen votes just 2 behind the winner.
Still only 21 and already is a champion.

27. JASON BLAKE- Versatility could be the middle name of this hard-running utility who played a key back-up role in the ruck in 2005.
His flexibility was epitomised by a stunning performances.
At the age of 24 coming into his middle stages of his carrer.

28. CAIN ACKLAND- Had a horrad run with injuries plus bad form for the Power.Managed on 12 games in 4 years. taken with the club's second pick in the 2004 National Bank's AFL Draft.The Saints were desperate for a ruckman following the departure of Trent Knobel, and the former Port Adelaide big man answered the call, and at 23 hopefully for St.Kilda should become there no 1 ruckman.

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30. MARK MCGOUGH- The 2002 Anzac Day Medallist fell out of favour at Collingwood and was snapped up by the Saints with their third selection in the 2004 National Bank's AFL Draft. Has a reputation as a wet-track specialist and is hard at the ball, but suffers from a lack of pace. Gave notice of his ability with another eye-catching display in the Anzac Day clash against Essendon and is considered a possible long-term replacement for St Kilda's veteran midfielders.

31. MATTHEW MCGUIRE- A find at centre half-back, he graduated from promising backman to star key defender in 2004 with some assured performances for a 20-year-old. Only a bout of osteitis pubis derailed his progress, forcing him to miss eight games in the second half of the season.
Had some injuries in season 2005 but played his best game against the Hawks were he had 15 touches and kicked 3 goals.

32. ANDREW MCQUALTER- The Saints selected the small inside midfielder with their first pick at the 2004 National Bank's AFL Draft. Captained Victoria Country under-18s and caught the eye at the National Bank's AFL Draft Camp with his excellent endurance and agility.

33. JAMES GWILT- Left-footed midfielder who was the fairytale story of the draft after coming into the AFL straight from suburban football. Was best on ground in the Eastern Football League Grand Final for Noble Park. Broke into the side and showed some talent. At the age of 19 promises to be a great player in the future.

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35. ROBERT HARVEY- Age refuses to catch up with the 33-year-old superstar, who committed to the club for another year in his quest for an elusive premiership. The veteran midfielder enjoyed another stellar season in 2005 was the match winner in the perliminary final against the Crows.
Still going on playing footy at the age of 35 should be his last season in 2006.

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40. TROY SCHWARZE- Won over the St Kilda faithful with solid performances to become a regular member of the backline in 2004, although he missed the last two finals. The versatile defender provided one of the highlights of the year in round six when his 60-metre bomb sealed a one-point win against Brisbane in the dying seconds.

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44. STEPHEN MILNE- Brushed aside off-field controversy at the start of 2004 to play a key role in the Saints' 10-game winning streak. The crumber proved a perfect second fiddle to the tall forwards, conjuring 41 goals in the opening 16 rounds, including six against Carlton and five against Collingwood and Hawthorn. However, he kicked only a further five majors and flitted in and out of the side for the remainder of the season. Easily played his best game against the Lions at the Telstra Dome were he bagged a lazy 11 goals.

NO GURNSEYS YET- FERGUS WATTS- Big, solid key position prospect who was given his debut in round 13 in 2004 after missing the start of the season with a groin injury. A former All-Australian in junior ranks, he showed enough to suggest he could develop into a strong-marking centre half-forward. Played five games, but battled a thigh injury late in the season