Dogs Short of Tall Players

By Paul Clarke, reporting for AFANA, from Melbourne, Australia

Six goals to Fraser Gehrig and yet another injury to St Kilda big man Justin Koschitzke were the highlights in an otherwise gritty game at the Telstra Dome today. The Saints ran out 14 point winners, but the topic on the minds of most post game was that of young key position player Koschitzke. 10 minutes into the third quarter. Bulldog half forward flanker Daniel Giansiracusa laid a bump on Koschitzke which saw the two players clash heads and fall to the ground. Giansiracusa ran it of, but Koschitzke was taken from the field with what would later be confirmed as concussion. St Kilda coach Grant Thomas confirmed after the game that Koschitzke had "gone off to hospital and everything is OK"

The Bulldogs were not without their injuries woes, with ruckman, Wade Skipper being replaced by Cameron Wight pre-game. It was later revealed by Bulldog coach Rodney Eade that Skipper was likely to miss the next month of football as he battles to overcome stress fractures in his foot, the second Bulldog big man to be out with such an injury, following that of Tom Williams. Skipper is the 9th Bulldog player over 190cm to be out injured this season, prompting Eade to admit post game "We have just got to accept our lot and we have got a dearth of big men".

The Saints were fired up after a week of controversy and came out looking to show they were above and beyond losing the midweek decision to reverse the draw against Fremantle. Nathan Thompson, played his 200th game and today was probably one of his best, nullifying experienced Bulldog Scott West. West, who last season averaged nearly 28 touches a game, was kept to 20 possessions, whilst Thompson managed 18 touches himself in what set up the Saints in the midfield. Thompson was not alone in the Saints midfield, as Nick Del Santo put in his bid for best afield with 34 touches, including 8 marks and 5 tackles. They also had help from Robert Harvey (22 touches, 10 marks), Lenny Hayes (22 touches) and Brendon Goddard who had 15 kicks to go along with his 10 handballs and 11 marks.

If it was the Saints midfield that set up the win, it was surely Gehrig, was providing the icing on the cake. Gehrig, who has seem out of touch in recent weeks had a day out on the grounds today, and in the process also had no less than 3 different opponents. Gehrig's 6 goals 2 behinds was his best return for the year, and reminded the Saints faithful of what a force he could be. Ironically, a player of Gehrig's ilk is what so often let the Bulldogs down. With so many injuries to their talls, the Bulldogs forward line resembled auditions for Snow White and the 7 dwarfs at times. Of their 12 goals, 7 were scored by midfielders or midfielder types (players under 6'2" to be specific) with the others being scored by Michell Hahn, and Chris Grant. The Bulldogs are lacking in the tall target area, and it is starting to show with their recent results.

After St Kilda entered half time with a comfortable 4 goals advantage, it was Bulldog Vice Captain, Michell Hahn (12 kicks, 3 goals) who was most impressive and kick started a third quarter revival for the Dogs. Gathering the football at around 60 meters out, Hahn managed to turn St Kilda defender Goddard inside out and calmly kick a goal from 60 meters out. The Bulldog small men kicked 4 goals to St Kilda's 1 in the third quarter, setting up a hopefully action packed last quarter.

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they couldn't get closer than 10 points for most of the last quarter. Early goals to the Saints saw them kick out to a 4 goal lead, and the Bulldogs were just playing catch up from then on. They twice got within 2 goals, but each time St Kilda answered to keep a healthy buffer, before St Kilda stalwart Robert Harvey finished off his record equaling game with a goal to secure the 4 points. After the match, Bulldog coach Eade said the game was lost in the second quarter and accused his team of "falling asleep", allowing the Saints to gain the advantage. Although he was pleased with the teams ability to fight their way back into the game, he was critical of costly turnovers and "errors that weren't under pressure".

Thomas on the other hand was very pleased with the win and heaped praise on his starring forward, Gehrig, stating that it was "one of his better games for the club" and that he was overall pleased with the resolve his playing group showed after last weeks problems.

ST KILDA: 3.4 8.4 9.8 14.8 (92)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: 3.0 4.1 8.4 12.6 (78)

GOALS St Kilda: Gehrig 6, Harvey 3, Schwarze, Milne, Maguire, Hamill, Riewoldt
Western Bulldogs: Hahn 3, Giansiracusa 2, Johnson 2, Grant 2, Smith, Cooney, West

BEST St Kilda: Gehrig, Harvey, Dal Santo, Goddard, Gram, Riewoldt, Thompson
Western Bulldogs: Hahn, Giansiracusa, Street, Johnson, Gilbee, Cross, Grant

INJURIES - St Kilda Koschitzke (concussion)
Western Bulldogs: Wight (rolled ankle)

CHANGES - Bulldogs: Skipper (foot) replaced in selected side by Wight
St Kilda: Nil

REPORTS - Montgomery (WB) reported for striking Schwarze

UMPIRES - McBurney, Head, Wenn