Scott Watters

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

St Kilda forward Ahmed Saad has been suspended for 18 months for the use of a substance banned on game day. The substance is contained in a sports drink which Saad said he was given by someone he trusted. He was unaware it contained a banned substance. Saad was tested late during the 2013 season and was stood down from playing pending the outcome of a second test. That test also proved positive and a Tribunal hearing was scheduled for early December. The substance, Methyl Synephrine HCL, is in a sports drink. The drink is produced by a company called Viking, for which Saad was a spokesperson.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Rumors of discontent between Coach Scott Watters and the rest of St Kilda were rampant during the latter part of the season. Watters went on SEN's Morning Glory program to dispel the rumors. When asked about discord between himself and football manager Chris Pelchen, Watters dismissed the suggestion as "almost laughable." He also said that he had been assured by new president Peter Sumners that the club saw him as a long-term coach.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The trade period opened on Monday, October 7 and included the moves of players eligible for free agency. Under AFL rules, clubs can attempt to retain players by matching a rival club's bid. Should they be unable or unwilling to do so, the player is free to move. Clubs losing players under the free agency rule may receive compensatory draft selections.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chciago

In 2004, a 19 year old woman accused St Kilda footballers Stephen Milne and Leigh Montagna of r*pe. The incident allegedly happened at Montagna's home after the club's family day. No charges were ever laid against the pair once the investigations were completed. In 2010, the Office of Police Integrity reviewed the case after two former policemen revealed that their investigation, even though done by the book, had been compromised. The OPI was concerned that the investigation had been interfered with, and their review revealed that the initial investigations had been flawed.

by Brook “Boris” Kilpatrick reporting for AFANA

Richmond found itself in unfamiliar territory on Friday night with a Round One win under their belt, plus the uncomfortable tag as “favorites” against a St Kilda team reeling from defeat at the hands of the Gold Coast Suns. The Tigers were looking to start the AFL season 2-0 for the first time since 1997 while the Saints had the perfect chance to silence the naysayers who were predicting a slide for the club which had featured in two of the last four Grand Finals.

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The first week of the NAB Cup was played in extremely hot weather as it is the height of summer "down under". Even with the roof closed at Etihad Stadium and the air-conditioning on, the temperature on the field soared into the 90's. After the game,

Brook “Boris” Kilpatrick reporting from Etihad Stadium for AFANA

A glorious sunny afternoon welcomed spectators to Etihad Stadium for the final appearance of both Carlton and Saint Kilda for the 2012 AFL season. The Carlton faithful turned out to see Brett Ratten’s last day at the helm of the Blues, their loss to the lowly Gold Coast Suns in Round 22 putting an end to Carlton’s Finals hopes and with it, any hope of Ratten retaining his job with the impatient Carlton hierarchy. For first year St Kilda coach Scott Watters, the game would give him an opportunity to look forward to 2013 after disappointingly missing the Finals, despite some positive signs from a team that finally blooded some new talent to support a solid core of veterans.

Jamie Kloeden reporting for AFANA from Adelaide, Australia

All of Adelaide is a buzz at the moment with the hometown Crows exceeding all expectations in their first year with Brenton Sanderson at the helm. St Kilda is also having a solid start to the year under their own first year mentor but the Scott Watters led Saints faced a big challenge on the big stage of Friday Night Football in Round 12. When the two sides met last in 2011, St Kilda recorded a phenomenal 103 point victory with Neil Craig going on to relinquish his position as Adelaide coach in the days that followed. A lot has changed in that short time with the Crows looking like a totally different outfit in the first half of season 2012.

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Patersons Stadium, Perth

Critics of the West Coast Eagles have been silenced after a hard fought win over St Kilda. Commentators had declared the Eagles soft, saying their successful season start was because they had only played teams outside the Top Eight. In Round 8, with a forward line decimated through injury, the Eagles stood up and regained their position on top of the table. Not that it was easy, with the Saints mounting a solid challenge interstate.

Between the end of the NAB Cup series and the start of Round One on March 24, the AFL held the season launch in Sydney. In between the festivities, League officials met with club captains and coaches to discuss the new rules which were tried out in the preseason. One rule which was high on the agenda was the two substitute-two interchange player rule.