Cocktail party

[Kildonan]

On Friday December 18 2009, I attended the St Kilda Football Club supporter cocktail function that was held in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Surfers Paradise.
There were approx 200 people there mingling with the Saints stars.

Onya Milney

Kosi and my son, Damien.

BJ and Damien

Tommy Lynch says he wants a CHF spot in the intraclub early next year

We were introduced to most of the new players:
(from the back) Brett Peake, Jesse Smith, Andrew Lovett, Will Johnson

More new players: Adam Pattison (tall at back in the gap), Daniel Archer (blonde), Tommy Walsh (looking at camera). In front of him is Nick Winmar. I'm not sure who is obscured there.

Sam Gilbert was announced as being a member of the leadership group.
Jason Blake and (interestingly) Leigh Fisher were also pictured.

Raffles were drawn by Roo and a signed gernsey auction (by Joey Montagna) accompanied the drinks, food and great company.

 

[Zagg]

Awesome post Kildonan.

Great to hear that Gilbo is part of the leadership group now. He's one of my favourite players, and we're lucky to have him as a Saint. I think I'll get #19 on my guernsey for the new season

 

[sainter]

Great work Kildonan.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

Hahaha Gilbo has taken over from Frankie Peckett as the tanned man at the Saints.

Is Nick Winmar downing a brew? I love it.

 

[goodie23]

I betcha Gilbo was popular.

Great to hear he's part of the leadership group.

 

[sainter]

Was there anything of note said by the players in the interviews Kildonan or just usual footy speak?

What did Tommy Walsh have to say?

 

[Kildonan]

I betcha Gilbo was popular.

Great to hear he's part of the leadership group.

Greg Hutchison told the crowd of the morning training session at Southport FC oval - where he claimed that they think Sam Gilbert is the best player to have played at their club. That's a big call considering Nick Riewoldt was also recruited from there

Sammy G was handed the microphone and he laughed off the comment then added that he does have one thing over Roo though and that is he won a premiership while playing for them (Southport).

He is a very popular player here - there is no doubt of that.

 

[Saint KFC]

Got to love the look from the guy in the spa in the photo containing Peake/JWS/Lovett.

 

[sainter]

He is a very popular player here - there is no doubt of that.

I don't think it's any different down here. The way he plays his footy is just exciting. He backs himself and plays without fear. I think Saints supporters have always celebrated players who are unpredictable and have a bit of flair. Unfortunately for so much of our history we've had little choice but to celebrate the exploits of individuals because there hasn't been the team success to enjoy.

Thankfully he's re-signed until the end of 2012 but it's great to hear how popular he is up there. If he improves on last season, which is entirely possible, he is going to be a man very much in demand. GC are sure to have another crack at him before he signs his next contract.



Very stiff not to be an All-Australian

 

[Kildonan]

Was there anything of note said by the players in the interviews Kildonan or just usual footy speak?

What did Tommy Walsh have to say?

Last year I attended with a mate who is quite at ease with talking to the players and we managed to extract a thing or two. This year with my son who barely said a word except "hi" when he shook their hand, I had to do all of the talking which consisted of a lot of social niceties and what they are doing over Christmas etc. and was less able to dig deep.

Tommy has a typical irish accent, he sounds like he's taking the piss when he's being straight and I kept finding myself listening to how he was saying stuff rather than what he was saying. Apparently has never done weights in his life before coming to the Saints (and yet already has a nice size to him). He's not quite as tall as they have listed him - I would estimate 192 cm. His girlfriend is moving here to Melbourne and he sounds very keen to avail himself of the chance that the Saints have given him. The word is that he's been impressive on the track, but I would say he is still a way off playing for the Saints.

The boys I spoke to don't seem to hold any grudge against Luke Ball - that the writing was on the wall and he acted to protect his career. Armo said that round 3 will be interesting nevertheless. He was happy to hang on to number 20 and didn't want Ball's #14.

More than one player commented on Nick Winmar being very advanced for a new recruit.

Raph says Xavier is happy in Brisbane and that they communicate quite frequently.

A couple of players felt that Max Hudghton was hard done by not being selected to play in the finals.

Zac Dawson has had a setback this preseason and lost all the weight he had put on - so needs to hit the weights room with some gusto.

Baker had his knee covered, Kingy was looking a little proppy. BJ seemed to show no ill effect of his broken collar bone.

Mark Hutchings had gastro and stayed in his room. I didn't see Clint Jones either.

Had a nice conversation with Kosi. He is so serious - and he tries so hard to please everyone that he ends up lookings stern. I especially like that he cuts through all the crap and tells you how it is.

He thinks Ablett Jnr will end up at GC next year - especially if they win another premiership (that's not gonna happen is it?).

The boys will train here at GC for most of this week then head off to families for Christmas. I think they get back into it again on the 6th Jan.

Dal and Roo signing the Gernsey that was soon to be auctioned by Joey. A few seconds later Roo chucked something towards Lenny. It's great to see all the smiles and fun they were having - these guys like being with each other. After the cocktail do I think they all went out to dinner together. Damien and I headed off for home (Ipswich).

 

[Axcellence]

More than one player commented on Nick Winmar being very advanced for a new recruit.

Great report Kildonan... absolutely luv the effort.

I'll just put in a note of caution on the Nick Winmar comment. They said the same thing about Justin Sweeney. We all know what happened. We need to be wary about expecting him to turn into something very quickly (I am not saying if anyone here is expecting that yet, btw).

 

[Persevering Saint]

Thanks Wise and Noble Leader! Excellent report.

 

[goodie23]

Yikes that last pic gave me a fright Kildonan, for a sec I thought that was Terry Wallet holding the mic

 

[Kildonan]

I think its Greg Hutchison, he would probably not be too keen on the Terry Tan misidentification

 

[sauce_head]

Good post but I was sort of hoping it was an involitation

 

[krusden]

Awesome post thats brightened my day at work K