Nick Dal Santo

Teams Selected For Grand Final Replay

Lisa Albergo — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 20:05:52 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Both Collingwood and St Kilda have made minimal changes to the teams which will line up for the Grand Final replay. One good news story is Saint Ben McEvoy, who played 18 games this season as a back up ruckman to Michael Gardiner. He was shattered when told by the coaching staff that he would not be playing in last week's Grand Final. However, number one ruckman Michael Gardiner spent the second half of the Final on the bench with a hamstring tear. The club was hoping he would recover and be able to take his place in the side for the replay but that has not happened and young McEvoy now has his chance.

Collingwood decided to drop Leon Davis due to his ineffectiveness in the Grand Final. Davis had only 6 possessions for the match and kicked one goal. In his place comes running defender Tyson Goldsack who was named to the interchange. SImon Prestigiacomo, who withdrew from the named team last week due to injury, has also been named on the interchange bench.

COLLINGWOOD
B: Nick Maxwell, Nathan Brown, Alan Toovey
HB: Harry O'Brien, Ben Reid, Heath Shaw
C: Sharrod Wellingham, Dane Swan, Ben Johnson
HF: Alan Didak, Travis Cloke, Luke Ball
F: Dayne Beams, Chris Dawes, Steele Sidebottom
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Dale Thomas
I/C: Tyson Goldsack, Leigh Brown, Brent Macaffer, Jarryd
Blair

EMERGENCIES: John McCarthy, Tarkyn Lockyer, Simon Prestigiacomo

IN: Tyson Goldsack

OUT: Leon Davis

ST KILDA
B: Jason Gram, Zac Dawson, Sam Gilbert
HB: Jason Blake, Sam Fisher, Robert Eddy
C: Brendon Goddard, Nick Dal Santo, Farren Ray
HF: Brett Peake, Justin Koschitzke, Leigh Montagna
F: Adam Schneider, Nick Riewoldt, Stephen Milne
Foll: Ben McEvoy, Lenny Hayes, Clinton Jones
I/C: Andrew McQualter, James Gwilt, Steven Baker, Sean Dempster

EMERGENCIES: Jarryn Geary, Rhys Stanley, David Armitage

IN: Ben McEvoy

OUT: Michael Gardiner (injured)

Source: afl.com.au

Hannebery Riewoldt Winners

Lisa Albergo — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 11:06:15 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Sydney's Dan Hannebery is the 2010 Rising Star. Just ahead of the first finals series, Hannebery was presented with the Ron Evans Medal by 2009 winner Daniel Rich from Brisbane. The award also comes with a $20,000 investment portfolio and a personal banker, both from the National Australian Bank, the award sponsor. NAB also sponsors the preseason games.

Hannebery won the nomination for a stellar performance in Round 2 against Adelaide in which he racked up 23 possessions. Ironically, he felt his performance could have been better, saying he felt he was a bit selfish and that his defensive efforts could have been better.

The voting panel of Andrew Demetriou, Adrian Anderson, Mark Ricciuto, Kevin Bartlett, James Hird, Gerard Healy, Glen Jakovich, Robert Walls and Kevin Sheehan awarded Hannebery the maximum 45 votes. Melbourne's Tom Scully was second with 35 votes, followed by Brisbane's Tom Rockliff with 24 votes and Melbourne's Jack Trengrove with 11. Eagle Nic Naitanui, who was expected to win the award early this season before falling away, polled just two votes. Those came from former Eagle Glen Jakovich and AFL Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan.

Hannebery was drafted in 2008 and played seven games in his 2009 debut season. He remained in Melbourne to finish school in 2009 and traveled to Sydney when required. He emerged as a future star this season, playing 19 games and averaging 21 possessions per game. His ability to win the ball at clearances in contested situations were a highlight of his play as was his long kicking. He is ranked in the top ten at the Swans for disposals (398 through Round 22) and tackles (60 through Round 22).

Coach Paul Roos, who said at the start of the season that Hannebery had the makings for a breakout season this year, was proven right. He said Hannebery's performances had been consistently high and that he did not suffer mental lapses or struggle as some young players do. He praised Hannebery's ability to impact games on a regular basis. NAB CEO Cameron Clyne was also impressed with the young midfielder saying his "... spirit, courage and talent make him a worthy ... Rising Star.” .He is the second Swan to win the award, following Adam Goodes' win in 1999.

Source: AFL Record, Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

Richmond's Jack Riewoldt is the first Tiger to win both the club award and the Coleman Medal in the same season. The spring-heeled Riewoldt was also nominated for Mark of The Year in Round 11. The club's awards function was held several days after the completion of Round 22. Jack polled 210 votes to edge out captain Chris Newman (204 votes) for the Jack Dyer Medal. Two time winner Brett Delidio finished third with 193 votes. 2010 debutant Dustin Martin was fourth with 159 votes while Shane Tuck continued his streak of top ten placings as he came in fifth, followed by Shane Edwards and Trent Cotchin, who did well despite missing two games through suspension.

Riewoldt was a slow starter in the round by round count, but his six goal haul against Essendon gave him the lead. The next few rounds earned him plenty of votes, capped off with a perfect 25 for his impressive, eye-catching ten goal display against West Coast in Round 12. His Round 21 effort sealed the win.

He had an amazing 2010 season with three goals or more in 14 games, four or more in eight matches and 43 goals from Round 8-15. That effort represented the highest total for an individual in eight consecutive matches since Essendon's Matthew Lloyd in 2001. Riewoldt was also top at the club for marks (with 123), contested marks (54) and 79 inside 50s (getting the ball to a teammate inside the 50 meter (55 yards) arc for scoring chances. He also laid 68 tackles for the season.

Newman's second placing was the best of his career. He averaged 19 disposals per game, was second for running the ball out of defense (79), finished fifth for disposals (410), fourth for marks (101), and equaled Riewoldt's tackle count.

Deledio also had an excellent season as a running defender. in 20 games, he had 20 or more disposals and had the most kicks (302). He was second for handballs (254), first for total disposals (556), second for marks (116), first for inside 50's (76) and first for rebound 50's (running the ball out of defense) with 93.

Dustin Martin,19, became a star almost overnight. In his debut season, he played 21 games (missing one through suspension) and averaged 20 disposals per game. He was ranked first for clearances (winning the ball at stoppages) with 97, third for disposals (425), inside50's (74), second in contested possessions (179) and fourth for tackles (70).

Tuck's first game was Round Three, but he was quick to impress and did so in his 20 games. He averaged 25 disposals per game. He also ranked highly in statistics - third for kicks (227), first for handballs (283), second for total disposals (510), second for clearances (92), third for inside 50's (66) and first for tackles (103).

THE VOTING: All five members of the match committee award 0-5 votes for each player per game. The most any one player can receive after a game is 25.

Other awards:
Bill Cosgrove/Harry Jenkins Best First Year Player: Dustin Martin
Francis Bourke Award: Chris Newman
Michael Roach Award for Leading Goalkicker: Jack Riewoldt
Most Improved Player: Shane Edwards

Jack Riewoldt was also awarded the Ian Stewart Medal for his best on ground performance against St Kilda in Round 21. He kicked six goals in that match and is the first Tiger to win the medal since its inception in 2004. The medal is named to honor Stewart as he played for both St Kilda and Richmond. Stewart was a premiership player with both clubs and won the Brownlow Medal while playing for both clubs. He played 127 games with the Saints 1963-1970, was a member of St Kilda's 1966 premiership team and won the Brownlow Medal in 1965 and 1966. He crossed to Richmond in 1971 where he played a further 78 games 1971-75 and won both the Brownlow and Richmond's best and fairest award in 1971. He played in Richmond's premiership team in 1973.

Previous winners of the Ian Stewart Medal are: Aussie Jones (2004), Nick Dal Santo (2005), Lenny Hayes (2006), Leigh Montagna (2007), Stephen Milne (2008, and Brendon Goddard (2009).

Source: richmondfc.com.au, Adrian Ceddia, Club Media Release

Adelaide's Richard Douglas was presented with the Malcolm Blight Medal as the club's 2010 best and fairest. He polled 35 votes to finish ahead of Scott Thompson (30 votes), Michael Doughty (27 votes), Brent Reilly (26), Graham Johncock (25), and Kurt Tippett (24). The top ten was completed by Ben Rutten (23), captain Simon Goodwin (22), and Scott Stevens and Nathan van Berlo (19 each).

Douglas earned votes in 19 of 22 games and polled the maximum four votes for his Round Nine performance against Brisbane. In that match he had 23 possessions, laid 8 tackles, and kicked three goals. Goodwin was a chance to overtake Douglas in the voting but his season was ended after Round 16 due to injury.

THE VOTING: the match committee confers to jointly award votes on a 4-2-3-1-0 basis after each game.

Other awards:
Best Team Man: Scott Stevens
Chairman’s Circle Emerging Talent: Rory Sloane
Chelsea Phillis Vice President’s Club Coach’s Award: Richard Douglas
Mark Bickley Award: Phil Davis
19th Man Award: Graham Johncock
Club Leading Goalkicker: Kurt Tippett

Source: David Burtenshaw, Club Media Release

Melbourne's Brad Green was honored for his best season ever with the club's Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy as the 2010 best and fairest. Truscott was a star for the club before being killed in World War II. Green polled 295 votes, ahead of defender James Frawley (277), and ruckman Mark Jamar (231). Frawley is the nephew of former Richmond coach Danny Frawley. Fourth place went to last year's winner Aaron Davey (194) and Colin Sylvia (170).

Green also won the Ron Barassi Leadership award as well as the Heart and Soul Award for his outstanding work on the field where he was rotated between a wing and the forward line. He kicked 55 goals for the season to finish sixth on the AFL goalkicking list, the best return of his career. He nailed three goals for more in ten games and kicked five in three games, all of which were personal bests. He also ranked sixth in the league for marks with 153.

Frawley, who debuted in 2007, had a breakout 2010 season, lifting his play to finish third on the AFL list for rebound 50's (running the ball out of defense). His ability to shut down forwards and clear the ball out of defense were features of his game.

Jamar also had his best season with 643 hitouts, second only to Docker giant Aaron Sandilands. Jamar's previous best was 261 hitouts in 2008.

Other awards:
Ian Ridley Memorial Trophy (Club Ambassador: Colin Sylvia
Harold Ball Memorial Trophy (Best First Year Player): Tom Scully
Troy Broadbridge Memorial Trophy (Melbourne's best & fairest VFL player): Brad Miller

In previous years, the match committee as a group awarded each player up to four votes per game so the best player could do in any given match was 16 votes. This year, Coach Dean Bailey and assistants Josh Mahoney, Sean Wellman, Scott West and Mark Williams used a different method. They each awarded votes to players.

Source: Ryan Larkin, Club Media Release, 2010 AFL Record Season Guide

Round 17 Tribunal

Lisa Albergo — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:34:55 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Campbell Brown (HAW), striking Saint Nick Dal Santo: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), medium impact (two points), and high contact (two points), equaling six activation points, a Level Three offense, 225 demerits, and a two game suspension. His record of 2 games suspended within the past three years increases the penalty 20% to 270 demerits. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 202.50 demerits and a two game suspension with 2.50 demerits held over toward his future record.

Ashton Hams (WCE), rough conduct offense against Carlton's Dennis Armfield: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), high impact (three points), and high contact (two points), equaling seven activation points, a Level Four offense, 425 demerits, and a four games suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 318.75 demerits with 18.75 demerits held over toward his future record.

Ben Cunnington (NM), fined $1200 for a first offense of making negligent contact with an umpire. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to $900.

Graham Johncock (ADE), rough conduct against Port Adelaide's Cameron Hitchcock: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), medium impact (two points), and high contact (two points), equaling six activation points, a Level Three offense, 325 demerits, and a three game suspension. His five year clean record reduces the penalty 25% to 243.75 demerits. He accepted, reducing the penalty a further 25% to 182.81 demerits and a one game suspension with 82.81 demerits held over toward his future record.

The match day report against Brisbane's Brent Staker for striking Geelong's Darren Milburn was assessed by the MRP. The panel ruled that Staker's initial contact during an attempted tackle was to Milburn's back and his hand was open at all times. They therefore ruled that it was not a striking motion and dismissed the charge.

The match day report against Carlton’s Jarrad Waite for rough conduct against West Coast’s Adam Selwood was assessed by the MRP. The panel ruled that Waite had bumped Selwood as he was kicking the ball and that contact was made to Selwood's shoulder. They further ruled that Waite's action was not reportable and dismissed the charge.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

Sixteen Fined For All In Brawl

Lisa Albergo — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:43:28 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Charges Laid:

At the third term break in the game between St Kilda and Brisbane, an all-in brawl broke out. Seven players from each club were charged by the Match Review Panel for first time offenses and fined $1600. All accepted, reducing the fines 25% to $1200:

ST KILDA: Adam Pattison, Nick Riewoldt, Lenny Hayes, Jason Gram, Nick Dal Santo, Sam Fisher and Andrew McQualter.

BRISBANE: Jack Redden, Pearce Hanley, Ashley McGrath, Todd Banfield, Joel Patfull, Amon Buchanan and Brendan Fevola.

Travis Cloke (COL), striking Port Adelaide's Travis Boak: assessed as intentional conduct (three points), medium impact (two points), and high contact (two points, equaling seven activation points, a Level Four offense, 325 demerits, and a three game suspension. He has a record of one game suspended in the past three years, increasing the penalty 10% to 357.10 demerits and a three game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 268.13 demerits and a two game suspension.

Sam Gilbert (STK), rough conduct against Brisbane's Simon Black: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point), and body contact (one point), equaling a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He accepted reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Jason Blake (STK), tripping Brisbane's Jack Redden: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), equaling three activation points, a Level One offense, 80 demerits and a reprimand. He has a clean record over the past five years which reduces the penalty 25% to 60 demerits. He accepted, reducing the penalty a further 25% to 45 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Daniel Jackson (RICH), rough conduct Fremantle's Hayden Ballantyne: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), medium impact (two points), and body contact (one point), equaling five activation points, a Level Two offense, 225 demerits, and a two game suspension. He has a record of three games suspended within the past three years, increasing the penalty 30% to 292.50 demerits. He also has 30 demerits held over from the past year, further increasing the penalty to 322.50 demerits and a three game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25%, reducing the penalty 25% to 241.88 demerits and a 2 game suspension with 41.88 demerits held over toward his future record.

Daniel Pratt (NM), abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene language towards an umpire which incurs a fine of $2600 for a first offense. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to $1950.

Leroy Jetta (ESS), misconduct for unreasonable and unnecessary contact to the face of Melbourne's James Frawley: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equaling five activation points, a Level Two offense, 225 demerits, and a two game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 168.75 demerits and a one game suspension with 68.75 demerits held over toward his future record.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

Saints March Over Eagles

rickb — Wed, 26 May 2010 03:37:44 -0500

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval

Over the last few seasons St Kilda has been a team that you could bank on to win just about every game they played. This season, with the loss of their key goal kicker, Nick Riewoldt, they have been shaky, losing three out of eight games. The West Coast Eagles have not fared much better but they were coming off two wins in a row and playing at their home ground in front of 38,000 faithful fans. The bookmakers had the game evenly balanced and there was an air of belief in Perth that the Eagles could knock the Saints down a peg or two.

St Kilda won the toss and kicked with a very strong breeze. Justin Koschitzke kicked the first goal from a free kick to which the Eagles replied with a couple of costly behinds. Andrew Embley, back from a few weeks suspension, kicked the Eagles’ first goal and gave them a slight lead. The windy conditions made shots at goal tricky and caused both sides to have low kicking efficiency when passing the ball. West Coast applied strong pressure to the Saints’ ball carriers and kept their scoring opportunities to a minimum. Ben McKinley took a great mark in the goal square and his conversion saw the Eagles take a five point lead on the siren.

Both teams traded goals to start the second quarter. Despite having a howling gale at their backs the Eagles insisted on using handball to move the football around. This gave the Saints more opportunities to gain possession. Steven Milne received a pass from Brett Peake in the pocket and turned around on the run to slot one of the goals of the day. Not only was it a superb goal, it put the Saints in front by three points and boosted their confidence. West Coast's McKinley came into his own late in the quarter kicking two more goals to give him four for the match so far. The Saints' stars were not in form and they lacked leadership. A dubious free kick to Adam Schneider, who appeared to have staged a dive for the umpire, brought them back to within six points as the first half ended.

With the game up for grabs, two of the Eagles steadiest midfielders, Adam Selwood and Beau Waters, scored goals. Selwood’s came from a free kick 40 meters in front, while Waters took advantage of an intercept from a poor kick in by Koschitzke. This gave the home team their biggest lead of the game and things were looking rosy. The Saints had other ideas, and when Steven Milne and Ben McEvoy scored the next two goals, the stuffing was knocked out of the Eagles. Brendon Goddard put the Saints ahead with a game-changing goal and suddenly they were running harder and digging deeper as they sensed that all was not lost. Led by Captain Lenny Hayes, who had eight possessions in this quarter alone, St Kilda proceeded to march all over the bumbling Eagles, scoring five goals to two in the third quarter to lead by 16 points.

When St Kilda scored first in the final term there was a collective groan from the crowd as they saw what has become the hallmark of the Eagles – the last quarter fade. Selwood kept them within touch with a mark and goal before the game was split wide open by the Saints. They rolled right over the Eagles in the final 15 minutes of the match, scoring the last nine out of ten goals. Everyone wanted a piece of the action with Farren Ray, Michael Gardiner and Nick Dal Santo adding to the list of goal kickers for the Saints.

When the siren finally sounded, much to the relief of the Eagles' crowd, nine Saints had scored goals. This was a huge statement to the rest of the competition that even without their champion player Riewoldt, they are a potent scoring team and should not be taken lightly. The future for West Coast on the other hand looks dismal. It is hard to see where the Eagles are going to win games with an in and out of form forward line and no desire to fight at the finish.


Scoreboard
West Coast  2.2 5.6 7.7   8.8  (56)
Saint Kilda 1.3 4.6 9.11 13.13 (91)

Best
West Coast  S Hurn, B Waters, M Priddis, B McKinley, D Cox,                                                                          
            A Selwood
Saint Kilda L Hayes, B Goddard, S Milne, A Schneider, F Ray, 
            R Clarke

Saints Show No Mercy

janetl — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 04:30:49 -0500

Janet Linn, reporting for AFANA from Etihad Stadium, Melbourne

A withering display of class and teamwork boosted St Kilda’s Premiership rating sky high on Easter Saturday. The Saints were in outstanding touch, completely wrong footing a disappointing and ineffective West Coast Eagles side. Coach John Worsfold must be shaking his head in dismay over the lack luster performance of his senior players who capitulated in dismal fashion under a devastating football lesson handed out courtesy of the unstoppable Saints brigade.

Led by Clinton Jones, ironically a WAFL (West Australian Football League) player recruited to St Kilda’s rookie list only two seasons ago from Perth, the Saints meant business from the get go. Jones played a crucial role tagging Eagle Daniel Kerr who, although still obtaining 27 possessions for the game, could not infiltrate the forward 50 meter zone and failed to have a major impact on the match.

Brendon Goddard was another Saint in scintillating form. His first quarter display in the forward line netted him four goals in a tactical triumph for Saints’ coach Ross Lyon. The pace was fast and West Coast was slow to dispose of the ball under St Kilda’s fierce tackling and powerhouse endeavor. It was sharp, constructive and skilful football from the Saints who dominated possessions winning the ball 50 times more than the West Coast who spent most of the quarter chasing speedier Saints players. Mark LeCras was the only Eagle to convert on goal and the Saints led by 16 points at the first change.

LeCras started well in the second quarter and scored an early goal to bring the Eagles within 10 points. The revival didn’t last for long after a Tyson Stenglein late bump brought Saints’ ruckman Steven King into goal-scoring position from a very costly 50 meter penalty. Minutes later Leigh Montagna showed skilful judgment to intercept a hand pass from a West Coast defender and kick a morale-boosting goal for the Saints. Goals rained down at Etihad Stadium as the Saints unleashed a ten straight goal-scoring avalanche. The Eagles were out-thought, out-smarted and out-played in every position on the ground and at half-time the Saints reigned supreme with a lead of 63 points.

After the humiliation of the second quarter, West Coast players had something to prove when they returned to start the second half. Although they managed to score four goals for the quarter, they had no real answers to stem the Saints’ onslaught. Not only did the Saints play a dazzling attacking brand of football, their defensive skills were outstanding. West Coast forward moves were repelled consistently and easily. Each time a West Coast player got near the ball, there was a pack of Saints to put the pressure on and cause a turnover. St Kilda’s on ball players Luke Ball, Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo, Leigh Montagna, Jason Gram and Clinton Jones were completely dominant and forwards Stephen Milne, Justin Koschitzke, Nick Riewoldt and Adam Schneider had a field day in front of goal.

It was more of the same until the final siren. St Kilda showed no signs of easing up their physical and mental effort. Their running, tackling, leading and defensive pressure remained intense until the end of the game. With 15 individual goal scorers, St Kilda showed a brand of teamwork and a constructive game plan which will trouble the other top AFL sides. This is a team with obvious intentions on the Flag and judging on this performance, their potential to deliver looks strong. West Coast, on the other hand, must go back to the drawing board and take a good look at their playing list. Senior players Andrew Embley, Chad Fletcher, Ashley Hansen, Adam Hunter and Quentin Lynch struggled to keep up with the pace of the game and, as a whole, the team appeared to suffer a huge psychological battering under the Saints’ awesome second quarter onslaught. West Coast will need to toughen up, physically and mentally, to make any impact for the remainder of the 2009 season.

  
Scoreboard
St Kilda    5.2 15.2 20.7 25.11
West Coast  2.4  4.5  9.7  9.10

Best players
St Kilda   C Jones, B Goddard, J Gram, L Montagna, J Koschitzke, N Riewoldt
West Coast M Priddus, D Cox, M LeCras, B Jones, S Hurn