News 2021 St.Kilda Media Thread

[George]

 

[sammm]

Saints.com.au

St Kilda has called on the wisdom of 1966 premiership hero Ross Smith in a bid to reignite the club's push for an elusive second flag.

The Saints' premiership drought — now the longest of any club after Melbourne's 2021 triumph — will enter its 55th year next season, but Smith, who claimed the 1967 Brownlow Medal, has implored players to find the missing pieces of what has proved a challenging flag puzzle.

Addressing players, coaches and staff as final layers of turf were placed on RSEA Park to complete the ground's resurfacing, the two-time club best-and-fairest winner, now aged 79, shared insight into how the club claimed its maiden flag just a year after its hotly debated move from Junction Oval to Moorabbin back in 1965.


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02:09
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Ross Smith reflects on the past and looks to the future
St Kilda Premiership player Ross Smith visited the club to reflect on his time at the Saints and gives advice for the future

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"You know how hard it is to win each week," Smith told players.

"You know how hard it is to get to finals — you've just missed out this year — [but] there are some things you can look back [on] and say, 'What can I do to make up for those sorts of things that would mean we can get to finals, and what are some of the things we can do to get us to a premiership?'"

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02:09
Ross Smith reflects on the past and looks to the future
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James Gallagher

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70kg

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For Smith and the 1960s Saints, improvement was struck through a commitment to extra training, which legendary coach Allan Jeans had urged his part-time players to consider.

"Jeans said to me, 'You've got to get a bit more agile', so I went to Frank Sedgman— the tennis player who used to run a gym. Next time, he said, 'Smithy, I think you need to get a bit quicker', so I went to Caulfield Racecourse every Sunday to do sprint training," Smith recalled.

We were all full-time work; football was obviously played part-time. We fitted it in. These were the extra things we did to make the jump from being second-rate to first-rate and to premiership players.
- Ross Smith
The multi-million-dollar upgrade, set for completion by mid-February, includes an overhaul of the ground’s turf, drainage and surrounding footpaths.

In 1965, players felt a deep connection to Moorabbin after assisting in its construction.

"All 35 of us would walk up in a line, up along the earth, and we had to pick up the pebbles," Smith reflected. "You can imagine 35 guys, there was a bit of banter on how many pebbles you had.

"That was how they got us involved and got us invested in the development of the ground, and getting excited about playing here in Moorabbin. We all became part and parcel of that change from St Kilda at Junction Oval to here at Moorabbin."

14 Photos
Past meets present: Legendary Saint returns to Moorabbin
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St Kilda defeated Collingwood in front of nearly 51,000 spectators in the first match held at the ground, before falling to Essendon in the 1965 Grand Final. A year later, the Saints drew on their Moorabbin momentum to win the club's first flag — against Collingwood — by a single point.

St Kilda's only premiership team continues to share a bond that "endures everything".

"What does a premiership do for you? In nearly 150 years that people like you (players) and me have been playing for this football club, there's only 20 of us who have got a premiership medallion," Smith said.

"Last Monday, we visited 'Cowboy' (Kevin) Neale, who's got dementia. About 10 of us went to visit him in Wodonga. When he came out, he said, 'Hello, Smithy'. I thought, 'Wow, he's recognised me'.

"The next day, he'd forgotten it had happened, but our respect for Cowboy, we wanted to go up and visit him just to talk to him. For him, it's a fleeting time, [but] for us, we'll remember that getting together and we'll do it again."


Smith also paid tribute to Ian Cooper, who was adjudged by many as best afield in the 1966 triumph and almost certainly would have claimed the Norm Smith Medal, which has only been awarded since 1979.

Cooper passed away on Tuesday morning.

"We've now lost five people, together with coach Allan Jeans," Smith said.

"[Cooper] was unbelievably positive. I spoke to him a couple of years ago and at that stage, he was a carer for his wife Jill, who's got dementia. He was having problems with his prostate and had also just been diagnosed with Parkinson's [disease]. Once it's diagnosed, you've got about seven years before you know you're going … he still had the courage to be outgoing, still laughing, still joking."

Vale, Ian Cooper
Smith concluded his speech by channelling the words of Len Smith — who was the older brother of Norm — and reminding players of the opportunity to add to the 1966 premiers' legacy.

"Do not judge success by what you have achieved, but by what you should achieve with the ability that you've got," he said, restating Len Smith's immortal advice.

"We, as the premiership players, would like to share that privilege with you. We'd like you to join us in showing us your medal and being proud of this football club."

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[gringo2011]

On what planet can Freo win the flag?

They have lots of good kids and are still just outside the 8 on top of masses of injuries. They are a bit like GC to me, if the kids come on look out but if they don't they could easily be like the Richo Saints.

The Saints have lowered their colours and lost respect because of it, we can easily turn it around. No-one would have picked Melbourne for a flag.

 

[BrutThough]

What a great way to end the first part of pre season.

 

[ScrappyDo]

They have lots of good kids and are still just outside the 8 on top of masses of injuries. They are a bit like GC to me, if the kids come on look out but if they don't they could easily be like the Richo Saints.

The Saints have lowered their colours and lost respect because of it, we can easily turn it around. No-one would have picked Melbourne for a flag.

Freo will come good on talent alone in a few years, but their top 3 players are all the wrong side of 30 ar 35 even. 5 years away from challenging l reckon.

 

[Saint Watto]

What a great way to end the first part of pre season.

What an absolutely awesome clip that is...........it's the best I've seen for quite a while.

It brought a lump in the throat.

Great stuff media team.

 

[lewdogs]

What an absolutely awesome clip that is...........it's the best I've seen for quite a while.

It brought a lump in the throat.

Great stuff media team.

Epic clip wasn't it. What a speaker.

 

[tomjoad]

Yeah we arnt there yet but that says in the next 5 years. They have really ridden us off after a bad year

They're idiots...idiots say stupid things. Unfortunately the idiots have history on their side which makes them look smarter than they are....and we just have resilience and hope.

 

[sunny3193]

Any of our older members recognise these roosters? The afl.com.au article only had four names so obviously they couldn't work it out.

From l to r:
Ian Synman (9)
Alan Morrow (8) just quietly, was he stacked or what
Ross Smith (3)
Verdun Howell (16)
Some other dude.

 

[Sarcoidevo]

Michito is a giant in that group photo ..... has to be at least 195 ...... towers over Coffield (3 to the right of him) who is 191

 

[mighty_sainters]

Michito is a giant in that group photo ..... has to be at least 195 ...... towers over Coffield (3 to the right of him) who is 191

Sadly he’s on his tippie toes.

 

[Sarcoidevo]

Sadly he’s on his tippie toes.

Crikey he is too ..... poor form

 

[Ephemeral Hope]

Crikey he is too ..... poor form

Was gonna say, King is next to him a couple places down. Would mean he’s around 200

 

[George]

You all should check out the AGM when you've got time, goes for about 45 minutes.

AGM

Official AFL Website of the St Kilda Football Club

www.saints.com.au

Lots of good information.

 

[sammm]

AVJennings extends partnership with Saints

AVJennings has extended its association with the Saints for another 2 seasons, committing to the long-running partnership until at least the end of 2023.

www.saints.com.au

 

[Saintsydney]

Battle not on tippy toes - infact has bent leg - he looks huge compared to Alison who is standing near him

 

[joop]

Why there are “a lot of unknowns” for the Saints in 2022

Questions remain.

www.sen.com.au

Apparently there are a few unknowns.

 

[Jade Buddha]

They have lots of good kids and are still just outside the 8 on top of masses of injuries. They are a bit like GC to me, if the kids come on look out but if they don't they could easily be like the Richo Saints.

The Saints have lowered their colours and lost respect because of it, we can easily turn it around. No-one would have picked Melbourne for a flag.

I think 2021 opened up some glaring holes in leadership. Losing Paddy, Gears and Roma early created a vacuum that sadly no one stepped up to fill.
2nd half of the year looked more like it and a better reflection of the team. Our fate will largely depend on who can lead along with Steele. I’m hoping Hanners can get on the park for at least the first 5 games.

 

[boulders]

Wilkie, Allison, Webster and McKenzie have all penned contract extensions.

Wilkie and Allison extend until 2024, Webster and McKenzie add another year

Callum Wilkie, Jimmy Webster and Daniel McKenzie have added an extra year to their existing contracts, while first-round draft pick Matthew Allison has put pen to paper on a two-year deal.

www.saints.com.au

 

[ScrappyDo]

Wilkie, Allison, Webster and McKenzie have all penned contract extensions.

Wilkie and Allison extend until 2024, Webster and McKenzie add another year

Callum Wilkie, Jimmy Webster and Daniel McKenzie have added an extra year to their existing contracts, while first-round draft pick Matthew Allison has put pen to paper on a two-year deal.

www.saints.com.au

Seems a fairly strong show of faith in Allison to extend that far out. Hopefully they know something we don't.

 

[Ads734]

Stoked for Dmac gone from whipping boy to golden child in a mater of months. Hopefully Coff gets the same progression.

 

[Remboy]

Battle not on tippy toes - infact has bent leg - he looks huge compared to Alison who is standing near him

Allisons on his knees.

 

[Saintbloke]

From l to r:
Ian Synman (9)
Alan Morrow (8) just quietly, was he stacked or what
Ross Smith (3)
Verdun Howell (16)
Some other dude.

Roger Head maybe?

 

[sunny3193]

Roger Head maybe?

Nah, too handsome.

 

[puppy_dog7]

Great interview with Paddy on the AFL website. Just emphasises how important the decision to let him go home this year was.