bubblegoose
Premiership Player
Gehrig comeback didn't surprise us
07 December 2007 Herald Sun
Jon Ralph
http://heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22883716%5E19772,00.html
ST KILDA star Justin Koschitzke says the Fraser Gehrig comeback that shocked the football world amazed everyone but his own teammates.
Koschitzke, earmarked for the full-forward role in Gehrig's absence, travelled to Europe to visit the recent retiree in the off-season.
Up for an early-morning jog, he was amazed to see Gehrig joining in, and quickly realised the G-Train's competitive fires had not been extinguished.
Gehrig has returned to play at St Kilda, and while it means Koschitzke will push further afield, he could not be more excited.
"I told him when he got backed that I had already cocked my leg in the goalsquare to mark my territory, so he was going to have to push up somewhere, but it's a super result," Koschitzke said.
"He was never really sure about his retirement.
"He went overseas to think about it and we (Matt Maguire, Leigh Montagna and Nick Dal Santo) met him overseas and he jumped on and went for a run with us. We said, 'What are you doing -- you have only been retired for a month, just relax', and you could tell then he was a bit edgy.
"We weren't surprised at all he wanted to go again."
For so long seemingly cursed by injury after his 20-game debut season in 2001, Koschitzke finally strung together some excellent form last year and missed only three games.
His tailored pre-season program has him riding and swimming on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and it gave him the perfect opportunity to help a childhood friend yesterday.
Koschitzke joined Millie Whitehead on the 80km fifth leg of a seven-day, 500km ride from Albury to Warragul to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.
Millie's friend Ben Irwin died just two weeks after being diagnosed with leukaemia, and she hopes to raise $10,000 for the charity.
"She is a great friend of mine and Millie's determination inspired me a bit and I thought I would jump on and give her a hand, and do this leg with her," Koschitzke said.
Koschitzke's excellent 2007 means he can enter pre-season able to build valuable fitness base rather than recover from another operation.
"I really started to get among it towards the end of the year and get a little bit of match fitness. The end of the year came prematurely, but I think it's made the side hungrier," he said.
"The only games I missed were with a suspension and a bit of soreness and when I cut my head in Sydney, so the body was great. It held up all year and for training it came up well so the pre-season helped. I couldn't be happier with where I am at."
He says with Gehrig back and Steven King and Michael Gardiner set for big seasons, he may well be used as a third tall forward.
King arrived at St Kilda in superb condition and Gardiner's foot problems finally seem to be behind him.
"It is quite exciting," Koschitzke said.
"They were pulled aside for a bit of ruck work the other day, and they were two bulls going at it, and they are both in good nick, so it was pretty exciting to see two legitimate ruckmen going at it."
- I love that Kosi's staking his claim at FF!
07 December 2007 Herald Sun
Jon Ralph
http://heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22883716%5E19772,00.html
ST KILDA star Justin Koschitzke says the Fraser Gehrig comeback that shocked the football world amazed everyone but his own teammates.
Koschitzke, earmarked for the full-forward role in Gehrig's absence, travelled to Europe to visit the recent retiree in the off-season.
Up for an early-morning jog, he was amazed to see Gehrig joining in, and quickly realised the G-Train's competitive fires had not been extinguished.
Gehrig has returned to play at St Kilda, and while it means Koschitzke will push further afield, he could not be more excited.
"I told him when he got backed that I had already cocked my leg in the goalsquare to mark my territory, so he was going to have to push up somewhere, but it's a super result," Koschitzke said.
"He was never really sure about his retirement.
"He went overseas to think about it and we (Matt Maguire, Leigh Montagna and Nick Dal Santo) met him overseas and he jumped on and went for a run with us. We said, 'What are you doing -- you have only been retired for a month, just relax', and you could tell then he was a bit edgy.
"We weren't surprised at all he wanted to go again."
For so long seemingly cursed by injury after his 20-game debut season in 2001, Koschitzke finally strung together some excellent form last year and missed only three games.
His tailored pre-season program has him riding and swimming on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and it gave him the perfect opportunity to help a childhood friend yesterday.
Koschitzke joined Millie Whitehead on the 80km fifth leg of a seven-day, 500km ride from Albury to Warragul to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.
Millie's friend Ben Irwin died just two weeks after being diagnosed with leukaemia, and she hopes to raise $10,000 for the charity.
"She is a great friend of mine and Millie's determination inspired me a bit and I thought I would jump on and give her a hand, and do this leg with her," Koschitzke said.
Koschitzke's excellent 2007 means he can enter pre-season able to build valuable fitness base rather than recover from another operation.
"I really started to get among it towards the end of the year and get a little bit of match fitness. The end of the year came prematurely, but I think it's made the side hungrier," he said.
"The only games I missed were with a suspension and a bit of soreness and when I cut my head in Sydney, so the body was great. It held up all year and for training it came up well so the pre-season helped. I couldn't be happier with where I am at."
He says with Gehrig back and Steven King and Michael Gardiner set for big seasons, he may well be used as a third tall forward.
King arrived at St Kilda in superb condition and Gardiner's foot problems finally seem to be behind him.
"It is quite exciting," Koschitzke said.
"They were pulled aside for a bit of ruck work the other day, and they were two bulls going at it, and they are both in good nick, so it was pretty exciting to see two legitimate ruckmen going at it."
- I love that Kosi's staking his claim at FF!
. Still its a VERY VERY good problem to have.
