After reading the papers it appears that none of Riewoldt, Kosi or Gardiner will play a practice match between them prior to Rd One.

I can understand how important all three will be to the Saints chances of winning, but I wonder if he will risk them all or start some in the VFL? I wonder if he thinks he has the depth to adopt a longer term view?

How fit will Gehrig be this year?

I thought he looked disinterested for alot of last year.

FWIW, I think Clarke can cover for Gardiner in the short term. I am not sure what Gardiner will actually do for the Saints, He definitely has a large monkey on his back to deal with.

Is Maguire going to be ready also?

How fit will Gehrig be this year?

I thought he looked disinterested for alot of last year.

FWIW, I think Clarke can cover for Gardiner in the short term. I am not sure what Gardiner will actually do for the Saints, He definitely has a large monkey on his back to deal with.

Is Maguire going to be ready also?

Never underestimate the wounded Saint.

Having said that, here is the latest word on St. Kilda's injury woes:-

Aaron Hammill - definitely not there in Round 1 and perhaps not ever again.

Nick Riewodlt - has nagging hamstring problems and is not ready to return just yet. Havily in doubt for round 1.

Justin Koschitzke - has a back injury and in doubt for Round 1. Whatever happens, if he starts against us on Friday fortnight, he'll be very much underdone.

Max Hudghton - struggling with his injury and in doubt for the first 2 or 3 rounds.

A couple of others like Maguire and Hayes are just coming back from long term injury.

And then there are the Clarke brothers who are alwys iffy.

Never underestimate the wounded Saint.

Which one Jack? It looks like they will be carrying three or four, and no Hamill. I'm not suggesting in anyway shape or form that we will smash them simply because some of their players are underdone, but I did want to raise the issue. It will be a test for Lyon? I'm not sure Danners would play all three if the positions were reversed.

I believe Maguire is ready to go and will play this weekend, although both he and Hayes will take a while to find their legs again (no pun intended)

Which one Jack? It looks like they will be carrying three or four, and no Hamill. I'm not suggesting in anyway shape or form that we will smash them simply because some of their players are underdone, but I did want to raise the issue. It will be a test for Lyon? I'm not sure Danners would play all three if the positions were reversed.

I believe Maguire is ready to go and will play this weekend, although both he and Hayes will take a while to find their legs again (no pun intended)

I think I answered some of those questions in my edited post above (source: a frustrated Saint fan)

I think I answered some of those questions in my edited post above (source: a frustrated Saint fan)

Raph Clarke is out I think, and Gardiner is still overcoming the effects of his ankle (it was his ankle he broke at the end of 06 for Claremont wasn't it?) and may not play either.

The Age reports Kossi and Hayes to play their first games tomorrow and Maguire his second. Reiwoldt will not play a practice game before the season starts.

I always thought that an ACL was a twelve month injury but Hayes is back in less than 10. He's a very good player and I hope they are not rushing him back to early. Maguire had the same injury as Brown. I doubt he'll be the same player for sometime. From memory he did it later in the season than Brown and will be back quicker.

Given some of the injuries involved it certainly is not a matter of just when they play their first game but also when they are confident enough to rely on their body fully without concern of the underlying injury.

Given the role Hayes will be playing, he will need to totally over his ACL problem.

BTW, does Luke Ball still have OP?

How often in footy does the wounded under-dog snatch a win under adversity.

Hopefully we come out firing on all cylinders and not take them easy.

However I agree that out of all the teams, St.Kilda is the perfect round 1 opponent in terms of lack of preparation.

How often in footy does the wounded under-dog snatch a win under adversity.

Hopefully we come out firing on all cylinders and not take them easy.

However I agree that out of all the teams, St.Kilda is the perfect round 1 opponent in terms of lack of preparation.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Mate, overall (i.e all teams) not very often, but in the past Demons have dropped too many of this type of game.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Mate, overall (i.e all teams) not very often, but in the past Demons have dropped too many of this type of game.

True, it will be an interesting test.

If Riewoldt and Hudghton are out it is a huge blow for them. Rivers will be freed up to sit in Gehrig's space and Neita, well he usually kills Max but it will most likely be Maguire on Neita (Who Neita towelled up last year) which will stuff up their structure.

I wouldn't think they'd play Hayes, he'll be doing a lot of running and they don't want to risk a midfielder who has done an ACL less than 12 months ago.

i think everyone would agree that after losing to the almighty (not) blues last year in Rd1, we will never take a team lightly, especially not a fellow top-eight contender