2009 Media Thread

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Re: Media Thread

Haha, Ross just referred to the Zebs as the twos.

Also said Max would play next week.

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

Re: Media Thread

Haha, Ross just referred to the Zebs as the twos.

Also said Max would play next week.

Bad Ross, bad boy !

Interesting comment about Hudghton - but surely Dawson will not be dropped ??!!

 

[TassieSaint]

Re: Media Thread

He'd be very stiff hey, but you'd think it's inevitable.

If Hudghton is right to play, he is too valuable to not come right back in and unfortunately if anyone else goes apart from Dawson our structure won't be quite right.

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Re: Media Thread

Lol what would you do if Max had 5 kicked on him by Neagle...

Not that that would happen, just an interesting hypothetical.

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

Re: Media Thread

Not sure that Hudghton and Dawson can't both play.

Lyon has shown that he'll be ruthless after below par performances - just ask Robert Eddy. But on the other hand, I would think that he will reward players who play for the team and show the effort and commitment that he wants.

Based on that I would not be suprised to see Gwilt (who played some good games this season, but did not really impress me tonight - aven't watched any replay though) be dropped for Hudghton with Goddard taking over Gwilt's role (not sure where that leaves Raph Clarke, but I suppose that Gram may be a bit worried this week, though).

But then again, Dawson would probably know that Hudghton will always come straight back in and will be a happy Sainter regardless, he has been given another chance and he has certainly taken it and now looks destined to take over from Hudghton next year.

 

[TassieSaint]

Re: Media Thread

I would absolutely shit bricks. In fact if that fat prick kicks 5 against anyone this year I will be shocked. But yeah in that case you'd have to say Max was rushed back too quickly, and unnecesarily.

But I'd assume Hudghton would go to Lloyd, who averaged 3 kicks and 0.5 goals per game against Max last year, and rape him once again

edit: Yeah Holden, one things sure no matter what happens for the rest of the year Dawson's practically guaranteed himself a promotion at the end of the year and saved his career, don't think he could be disappointed with that.

 

[Sunday Red]

Re: Media Thread

Saints Central says Lenny will be on 3AW at 6:20 tonight and Bally on SEN at 6:30.

 

[Squizz]

Re: Media Thread

Take on the AFL at your peril. This would not be for the fans - it would be sheer spite at the Dome's management (fair enough too):

AFL considers shifting blockbuster between Saints and Cats
Damian Barrett | May 12, 2009

The AFL is considering moving the Round 14 game between St Kilda and Geelong, from Etihad Stadium to the MCG.

A transfer would suit the AFL for several reasons, not least the fact it would rob management of Etihad Stadium, which it has taken to court over match-day financial returns, of a game that would provide a big windfall.

The MCG's crowd capacity of 100,000 looms as a better fit for the in-form teams, against Etihad Stadium's 53,000.

St Kilda would be guaranteed to make a far greater financial return at the MCG.

In exchange for the expected Saints-Cats switch, it is believed the AFL is considering moving the Round 15 game between Melbourne and Port Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday, July 12, to Etihad Stadium.

No match has ever been moved from Etihad Stadium for best-fit reasons, despite that pledge being made by the AFL about the venue when it was introduced to scheduling in 2000.

 

[StFly]

Re: Media Thread

Bloody win, derka derka and other stuff.

But yeah, the AFL should if not for any reason other than the bolded part. If the sides continue on as they have been it would send a right old message that "we'll give you Carlton v Freo but you can go get stuffed if you want 2 undefeated teams until you bargain."

 

[Squizz]

Re: Media Thread

Ex-Saint Rix in Lions den
13th May 2009
Subiaco’s premiership defence has received a massive boost with the club yesterday announcing it had signed former St Kilda ruckman Michael Rix.
The signing will bolster Subiaco’s depleted ruck division and comes as fellow Lions ruckman Luke Newick gets closer to a return to the league side after missing five weeks with a calf muscle injury.
Subiaco coach Scott Watters said Rix, 28, would sign a minimum twoyear contract with the club and would complement Newick and developing big man Scott Douglas.
Rix will make his debut for the Lions in Saturday’s reserves match against Perth at Medibank Stadium and could be selected for his first league match straight after the State clash against South Australia the following week.
“He’d almost come straight into being the best ruckman in the WAFL competition,” Watters said.
“Michael Rix fills probably an area at our football club that we haven’t been strong in for the last five years to be honest so it’s strengthening an area (that) even in our premiership years has been a little bit shallow. It’s a massive positive for our club.”
The 198cm ruckman made his AFL debut for the Saints in 2006, playing 29 matches across three seasons before being de-listed at the end of 2008. He has not played this season but has been training with a Melbourne amateur side.
Watters said the club’s assistance with finding Rix employment along with the presence of several friends, including former captain Marc Webb, at Subiaco had been major factors in luring him to the west.

 

[Squizz]

Re: Media Thread

I think one of our posters raised this a while back but got shot down. Anyway, now confirmed and hopefully Birssy gets the right treatment and makes it back playing good footy :

Birss takes indefinite leave

West Adelaide has revealed star recruit Shane Birss is battling depression and has taken indefinite leave from the game. The Bloods issued a statement this afternoon saying Birss had been dealing with the illness since January, had been prescribed medication and been attending therapy sessions.

Birss, who joined the Bloods after an AFL career at the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda, has trained most of the summer but played just the one trial game. That was in the Reserves last week. ``The West Adelaide Football Club in conjunction with the AFLPA are working with Shane, Amy, their families and his doctors to get Shane back to full health,’’ the statement read. ``Shane is very confident that in time he can get back to playing great footy for the West Adelaide Football Club.’’

West Adelaide football operations manager Scott Turner said Birss’ teammates were aware of his illness and the club was ``moving forward’’.

The club has asked the media to respect Birss and his teammates.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

Re: Media Thread

Ex-Saint Rix in Lions den
13th May 2009
Subiaco’s premiership defence has received a massive boost with the club yesterday announcing it had signed former St Kilda ruckman Michael Rix.
“He’d almost come straight into being the best ruckman in the WAFL competition,” Watters said.
“

Hahahahahahaha. Jason Blake would dominate the ruck over there then!

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

Re: Media Thread

That is very sad to hear about Birss.

With football having become such a big business, we sometimes forget that players are not just machines or numbers, but are very human.

I hope Shane Birss is given all the time and support he needs (including by St Kilda if deemed helpful for his recovery).

All the best to him and his family !

 

[Signd Sealed Saint]

Re: Media Thread

Too bad for Birssy ey? But wouldn't you be depressed if you trained your heart out and played some pretty good games only to have hacks like Fiona play before you? He's a really unlucky player and i'm sure he would've had a long career at a club like Melbourne. Good luck over Birssy.

As more Rix. LOL!! Don't worry about Jason Blake, try Cameron Cloke!

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

Re: Media Thread

Why do you say that, Signd Sealed Saint ?

You obviously don't know anything about depression. I highly recommend that you inform yourself about this serious illness before making heartless and stupid comments like in your post above.

Apart from your obvious ignorance (and I am not talking about Maguire's jumper number now), do you feel strong and tough when you make statements ridiculing the name of a former St Kilda player ? Or calling such former player with 140 games in the AFL a 'hack' ? Or suggesting that a Shane Birss is only good enough for the Melbourne FC - a club you have ridiculed in a separate thread ?

Has it ever occurred to you that your comments are disrespectful, annoying and potentially painful ? That comments like those of yourself lead to AFL players being advised by their clubs not to be involved (or even read) in online forums or other interaction with their supporters ?

Very disappointing !

 

[TassieSaint]

Re: Media Thread

Birss the cursed

Poor bloke. Worst part is, the way our lesser lights have shined this year you can't help but think he'd be in career best form this year.

Wish him all the best and hopefully he makes a full recovery.

 

[SammyFish25]

Re: Media Thread

Hope Shane gets all the support and help he needs,
was quite a good player in the games he played
and unlucky not to be in our best 22, many times last year
ill always remeber when we played the Bulldogs in '05, think around R14, (Game where Roo re-injured his shoulder)
Birss got the rough treatment from the boys that day..
got crunched about 4 times (pretty sure twice by Kozi)

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Re: Media Thread

Bah, had no idea why we delisted Birssy at the time...it makes more sense now. But I still loved the bloke. Was probly just as good as Jonesy, and a pretty decent kick.

All the best to him.

 

[StFly]

Re: Media Thread

Absolutely feel for Birss, hope he gets the support he needs and then some because it's very very lonely if he doesn't for a great bloke who tried his heart out, and to those around him also whoa re also affected by the situation.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Re: Media Thread

It was the right decision to delist Birss given the young talent we have that are struggling to get a game with us at the moment.
But I don't think it is disrespectful to suggest that he would have made a good depth player at other clubs who don't have the midfield talent we do ( he was only ever a depth player ).
To me the "youth policy" being practiced by many clubs at the moment is misguided and it means that many talented/but not elite players are being dumped in favour of young draft picks who may not even reach the level of the player being dumped.
Terrible timing with GC17 also ensured that Birss was not going to get another gig.

 

[TassieSaint]

Re: Media Thread

Thing about Birss though is that he's only 25 I think? Same draft as Riewoldt.

Middle aged probably in footy terms (definitely not old) but in actual terms very young. Can't imagine how devestating it would be to be told your career is over at just age 25.

 

[Squizz]

Re: Media Thread

Lyon backs new-look ruck duo

The Australian - Greg Denham | May 13, 2009

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon is not concerned about taking on Essendon with inexperienced ruckman Ben McEvoy at Etihad Stadium on Sunday in what looms as the match of the round.

Lyon said yesterday he was more than happy with his new-look ruck division of Michael Gardiner and McEvoy, who teamed together for the first time against Collingwood on Monday night.

In the absence of former Geelong captain Steven King, who is injured, McEvoy got his chance because of the late withdrawal of Robert Eddy. In just his second game after making his debut against Fremantle last year, McEvoy acquitted himself well with 15 hit-outs. "I thought he held his end up well," Lyon said of the 19-year-old who was recruited as a first-round choice in the 2007 national draft. "He's only a second-year ruckman and as it often is with big guys, he's probably eight years away from his best."

King has missed the past few rounds with a hamstring strain, and is unlikely to be available on Sunday. "He's got a few hurdles to jump before he plays again," Lyon said.

The Saints coach was particularly impressed with Gardiner's form at the bounces and throw-ins. "He's playing with some presence and his hit-outs gave us first use," Lyon said. "When he's up and about, he makes other players walk tall around him."

Gardiner, an All-Australian in 2003 when at West Coast, is in his third year at Moorabbin and had 28 hit-outs against the Magpies' total of 30.

The Saints' new big-man combination will probably go head-to-head with Essendon's Patrick Ryder and Tom Bellchambers who, like McEvoy, is in his second senior season and last week against Hawthorn played his first game for the year for a career tally of four matches.

Not only are the Saints unbeaten in the first seven rounds, but they will soon have veteran full-back Max Hudghton available for selection as he is on the comeback trail from a serious calf injury. Lyon said the popular Hudghton, who has not played this year, would make his return on the weekend in the VFL.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Re: Media Thread

Don't mind McEvoy especially against the Bombers with their depleted rucks, because it means we can keep Kosi forward.
I don't like Max in the VFL, a waste of time when he could single handedly play on Lloyd and keep him out of the game. ( And while I do like what Dawson is doing , he will not remove a key forward from the game the way Max does... yet )

 

[StFly]

Re: Media Thread

Maxie does have calf problems so I think it's erring on the side of caution to say "if you can get throguh 1 game unscathed you'll get back in since the last thing we want is for you to twing it again" get the problem area some base match fitness and if it holds up step it up by promoting him back up. Softly softly since we don;t want him there for 5 mins tear it again and gone for another 6 or so weeks.

 

[sainter]

Re: Media Thread

I agree with StFly. While Max has nothing to prove as a player, he's been out since the Port practice game which was 10 weeks ago. In this situation he definitely needs a run in the VFL. It would be a different scenario if he had only missed 3-4 games or perhaps if our defence wasn't performing.

As for McEvoy, he simply has to play for the reasons SaintsSeptember said. King will obviously return to the team when fit so it's a great chance to get him senior experience. He's been playing well for the Zebras so it's a reward for that effort and it obviously allows us to keep our current structure with Kosi up forward.

It's sad to hear about Birss. Like most of you I was disappointed when he was delisted. I couldn't understand why he couldn't get a game last season but the players who Lyon had in front of him are doing the job this year. Hopefully he gets himself right, seemed like a really nice guy.