St Kilda Football Club
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Names | |
|---|---|
| Full name | St Kilda Football Club |
| Nickname(s) | The Saints, Sainters |
| Motto | Fortius Quo Fidelius (Strength Through Loyalty) |
| Season 2008 | |
| Top Goalkicker | Nick Riewoldt |
| Best & Fairest | Samuel Fisher |
| Club Details | |
| Founded | 1873 |
| Colours | Red, White and Black |
| Competition | Australian Football League |
| Coach | Ross Lyon |
| Captain(s) | Nick Riewoldt |
| Ground(s) | Ethiad Stadium, Melbourne (Capacity: 56,347) |
| Moorabbin Oval (Capacity: 27,000) | |
| Other information | |
| Official website | www.saints.com.au |
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The St Kilda Football Club, nicknamed the Saints, is an Australian Rules Football Club, based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The club plays in the Australian Football League, the highest league in the country.
The club was established in 1873 and its name originates from the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda. The club was a foundation team of the Victorian Football Association (VFA) in 1877 and later in 1897, became a foundation team in the Victorian Football League (VFL), which was renamed the Australian Football League (AFL) prior to the start of the 1990 premiership season.[1]
St Kilda Football Club's only premiership win to date was in the 1966 VFL season. The club's most recent minor premiership was in the 1997 AFL season and its most recent pre-season cup win was the 2008 NAB Cup.
In terms of premierships won, St Kilda has been the least successful of the eight original VFL clubs. They have also finished the home and away season in last position a record 26 times.
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[edit] History
The St Kilda Football Club was formed in 1873, containing many elements of the previous South Yarra Football Club, which had disbanded a year earlier. Soon after a decision was made to amalgamate St Kilda FC with nearby Prahran Football Club. St Kilda FC retained their colours, name and ground, as well as picking up a number of Prahran players.[2]St Kilda competed as a senior club in the VFA from 1877-1879, 1881-1882 and 1886-1896 before moving into the break away competition, the Victorian Football League from 1897 onwards.[3]
St Kilda's early years in the VFL were not very successful. In 1899, St Kilda scored the lowest score ever recorded in a VFL/AFL match, 1 point against Geelong (who scored 162).[4] Six successive wins to the start of the 1907 season saw the club make the finals for the first time, finishing third with 9 wins and 8 losses, in which St Kilda was beaten by Carlton FC in the club's first VFL final by 56 points. The club again finished third in 1908 and was once again eliminated by Carlton by 58 points. 1913 saw major improvement in which the team finished fourth, but were eventually beaten in the 1913 grand final by Fitzroy 7-14 (56) to 5-13 (43). Due to World War I, St Kilda Football Club was in recess in 1916 and 1917 but resumed in 1918 and fared well, making the finals in fourth position, but was eliminated by Collingwood in a semi-final by nine points, 58 to 49. Results declined in the early 1920s, with the club finishing last in 1920 and 1924. The following years saw St Kilda establish itself as a more consistently competitive Club. Colin Watson won the Brownlow Medal in 1925 and St Kilda FC made the finals in 1929 and were eliminated once again by Carlton 12.9 (81) to 11.7 (73) in the semi-finals.
The mid 1930s saw the club consistently vying for finals berths, finally making it in 1939 by finishing fourth after a record run of eight consecutive victories and an overall record of 13 wins and 5 losses.[5] The team had its first finals win since 1913 over Richmond but was eliminated in the 1939 series by Collingwood in the preliminary final. The club won three of the first four games early in the 1940 season and was on top of the ladder after Round 4 before finishing second last. Although there were some prominent players like Harold Bray, Keith Drinan, Peter Bennett and later Neil Roberts, St Kilda were rarely competitive in the 1940s. In the 1950 season St Kilda FC won the first five games, before fading to finish with eight wins and a draw in ninth place. In 1955, after one of the club's worst seasons, Alan Killigrew was appointed coach. His first action was one of the largest clean-outs of players in the history of any VFL club. It is believed that only 17 players from 1955 played for St Kilda again in 1956, with 11 new players appearing in the club's opening match of 1956. Under Alan Killigrew as coach the team became more competitive with St Kilda having three consecutive Brownlow Medal winners; Brian Gleeson in 1957, Neil Roberts in 1958 and Verdun Howell in 1959. In 1958 St Kilda FC won the Night Series Competition, St Kilda defeated Carlton 16.13 (109) to 15.11 (101) in the final.
In 1961, after finishing sixth in 1960, Allan Jeans was appointed coach. St Kilda made the final four for the first time since 1939, finishing third with eleven wins and seven losses. However, with full-back Verdun Howell unfit, the club lost to Footscray in the first semi-final. The club finished ninth in 1962 with nine wins and nine losses. St Kilda had a convincing sequence of six consecutive wins ever over the last six rounds of the 1963 season to finish in fourth position with 13 wins (52 premiership points), two premiership points behind minor premiers Hawthorn. The club lost to Melbourne in the semi-finals. In 1964 St Kilda was defeated in the final of the Consolation Night Series competition. St Kilda was defeated by Footscray 11.12 (78) to 11.7 (73) in the final. After the 1964 season, the club moved to Moorabbin Oval in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne in an effort to attract the population of a rapidly growing region. The move was a success and St Kilda finished a game clear on top of the ladder with 14 wins and 4 losses, qualifying for the finals series in first position and winning the minor premiership for the first time in 1965. Ian Stewart won the 1965 Brownlow Medal. St Kilda was defeated in the 1965 grand final by Essendon.
1966 saw St Kilda again finish with 14 wins and 4 losses, qualifying for the finals in second place. Ian Stewart won his second consecutive Brownlow Medal. St Kilda defeated Collingwood in the 1966 grand final 10-14 (74) to 10-13 (73), winning the premiership for the first time.
In 1967 Ross Smith won the Brownlow Medal. The 1968 season saw St Kilda qualify fourth with 14 wins, 5 losses and a draw. St Kilda was eliminated by Geelong in the first semi-final. A seventh place home and away season finish in 1969 was followed by another finals appearance in 1970, when St Kilda qualified in third place with 14 wins and 8 losses. St Kilda was eliminated by Carlton in the preliminary final. St Kilda qualified for the finals series in second place in 1971 at the end of the home and away season with 16 wins. St Kilda was defeated in the 1971 grand frinal by Hawthorn. The club qualified for the finals series again in 1972 fourth wins 14 wins and 8 losses. St Kilda was eliminated in the preliminary final by Carlton. 1973 saw the club qualify for a record fourth consecutive finals series in fifth place with 12 wins. St Kilda was eliminated in the semi-finals by Richmond. 1974 saw the Saints decline to the lower half of the ladder for the first time since the 1950s, finishing tenth with seven wins. The club failed to build on competitive seasons in 1975 and 1976. Allan Jeans' coaching career at St Kilda ended with his retirement from coaching at the end of the 1976 season.
1978 began and ended strongly, but a mid-season slump saw the club narrowly miss the finals. 1979 began well with a win over Hawthorn before a run of defeats and finishing a clear last. Continuing financial pressures and defeats saw the club remain in the bottom three for every season from 1979 to 1986. In 1987 St Kilda, with Tony Lockett at full forward, moved off the bottom for the first time since 1982 with nine wins. Lockett won the Coleman Medal for leading goalkicker in the home and away season with 117 goals. He went on to win the AFL's highest individual award, the Brownlow Medal, the same year. A competitive 1991 Premiership season saw St Kilda qualify for the finals series for the first time since 1973, finishing fourth at the end of the home and away rounds. Tony Lockett won the Coleman Medal again with 118 goals. St Kilda was eliminated by Geelong in the elimination final. In a competitive 1992 season, St Kilda again qualified for the finals series, finishing sixth at the end of the home and away rounds.
St Kilda was eliminated by Footscray in the semi-finals. St Kilda won the 1996 Ansett Australia Cup pre-season competition. The team had wins over Hawthorn in the round of 16, Adelaide in the quarter final, West Coast in the semi-final and defeated Carlton in the final 20-10 (130) to 10-12 (72) in front of 66,888 people at Waverley Park, with Nicky Winmar winning the Michael Tuck Medal for the player judged best on ground. In the 1997 premiership season, St Kilda had a consistent home and away season, qualifying for the 1997 final series in first position at the end of the home and away rounds with 15 wins and 7 losses and winning the minor premiership for the second time in the club's history. Robert Harvey won the league's highest individual award, the Brownlow Medal. St Kilda was defeated in the AFL Grand Final by Adelaide. In a competitive 1998 premiership season, St Kilda again qualified for the finals series finishing sixth. Robert Harvey won a successive Brownlow Medal. St Kilda was eliminated by Melbourne in the semi-finals. In 1998 St Kilda also won through to the Ansett Australia Cup final before being eliminated by North Melbourne. In 2000 the St Kilda Football Club moved to a new playing home at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne (currently also called Etihad Stadium, a sponsorship name) whilst maintaining their training and administration headquarters at Moorabbin.
The 2004 premiership season saw the team win a club record of 10 consecutive matches from round 1 to round 10. A consistent and competitive season saw St Kilda finish third at the end of the home and away rounds and qualify for the finals series with 16 wins and 6 losses. Full-forward Fraser Gehrig won the Coleman Medal for the most goals (90) kicked in the 2004 home and away season. 2004 began with the club winning the 2004 Wizard Home Loans Cup. St Kilda had wins over Adelaide in the round of 16, Richmond in the quarter finals, Essendon in the semi-finals and defeated Geelong in the final 1.14.5 (98) to 1.10.7 (76) in front of 50,533 people at Docklasnds Stadium, with Robert Harvey winning the Michael Tuck Medal for the player judged best on ground during the final. In a consistent and competitive 2005 premiership season, the Saints finished the home and away rounds in the top four in fourth position, qualifying for the finals series with 14 wins and 8 losses. Full-forward Fraser Gehrig again won the Coleman Medal for the most goals (74) kicked in the 2005 home and away season[6]. St Kilda was eliminated by Sydney in the preliminary finals. A competitive 2006 premiership season with 14 wins and 8 losses saw the club finish sixth at the end of the home and away rounds and qualify for their third successive finals series. St Kilda was eliminated by Melbourne in the elimination finals. On 11 October 2006, Ross Lyon was appointed as the new coach for the Saints for 2007 to 2009. Early in 2008 the year began with the team winning the National Australia Bank Cup. The team had wins over Richmond in the round of 16, Geelong in the quarter-finals, Essendon in the semi-finals and won the final against the Adelaide Crows by 5 points at Football Park (AAMI stadium) 69 to 64. Jason Gram won the Michael Tuck Medal for the player judged best on ground during the final. In a competitive 2008 premiership season St Kilda again qualified for the finals series, finishing the home and away rounds in the top four in fourth position with 13 wins. St Kilda was eliminated by the eventual premiers, Hawthorn, in the preliminary finals. St Kilda was eliminated from the 2009 NAB Cup by Brisbane in the opening round.
St Kilda have won their first 15 games of the 2009 season, breaking the club record of 10 successive wins which was set in the first 10 games of the 2004 season. In Round 14, on 5 July 2009, St Kilda defeated the AFL premiership favourites, Geelong, a club they had not beaten since 2006.
| Round | St Kilda | Opposition | Their Score | W/L | Diff | Stadium | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12.8 (80) | Sydney | 9.11 (65) | W | +15 | Ethiad Stadium | 28/3/2009 |
| 2 | 15.11 (101) | Adelaide | 10.9 (69) | W | +32 | AAMI | 3/4/2009 |
| 3 | 25.11 (161) | West Coast | 9.10 (64) | W | +97 | Ethiad Stadium | 11/4/2009 |
| 4 | 16.9 (111) | Fremantle | 4.4 (28) | W | +83 | Ethiad Stadium | 18/4/2009 |
| 5 | 15.12 (102) | Port Adelaide | 5.6 (36) | W | +66 | AAMI | 24/4/2009 |
| 6 | 14.20 (104) | Western Bulldogs | 11.10 (76) | W | +28 | Ethiad Stadium | 3/5/2009 |
| 7 | 20.8 (128) | Collingwood | 5.10 (40) | W | +88 | Ethiad Stadium | 11/5/2009 |
| 8 | 13.12 (90) | Essendon | 10.11 (71) | W | +19 | Ethiad Stadium | 17/5/2009 |
| 9 | 14.13 (97) | Brisbane Lions | 13.3 (81) | W | +16 | Ethiad Stadium | 24/5/2009 |
| 10 | 11.17 (83) | Melbourne | 6.10 (46) | W | +37 | Gold Coast | 30/5/2009 |
| 11 | 15.13 (103) | North Melbourne | 9.3 (57) | W | +46 | Ethiad Stadium | 6/6/2009 |
| 12 | 16.8 (104) | Carlton | 14.11 (95) | W | +9 | Ethiad Stadium | 12/6/2009 |
| 13 | 13.14 (92) | Richmond | 5.6 (36) | W | +56 | Ethiad Stadium | 28/6/2009 |
| 14 | 14.7 (91) | Geelong | 13.7 (85) | W | +6 | Ethiad Stadium | 5/7/2009 |
| 15 | 13.12 (90) | West Coast | 11.4 (70) | W | +20 | Subiaco | 12/7/2009 |
| 16 | - | Adelaide | - | - | - | Ethiad Stadium | 19/7/2009 |
| 17 | - | Western Bulldogs | - | - | - | Ethiad Stadium | 25/7/2009 |
| 18 | - | Sydney | - | - | - | SCG | 1/8/2009 |
| 19 | - | Hawthorn | - | - | - | Aurora | 8/8/2009 |
| 20 | - | Essendon | - | - | - | Ethiad Stadium | 16/8/2009 |
| 21 | - | North Melbourne | - | - | - | Ethiad Stadium | 23/8/2009 |
| 22 | - | Melbourne | - | - | - | MCG | 30/8/2009 |
[edit] Club symbols
[edit] Jumper
In the early years of the St Kilda Football Club, from 1873 to 1896, the Saints wore a thinly striped; red, white and black jumper. It later changed to thicker stripes when they joined the VFL. In 1915, because of Germany's colours in WW1, St Kilda changed its colours to red, yellow and black stripes. Ironically these are now Germany's national colors. After the war St Kilda changed once again to the red, white and black stripes, along with changing the design to look more like the one today. In 1953 the Saints' jumper took the look of the three stripes; red, white and black which has been used up until today, except for a period from 1997-2001 in which a jumper with a cross was worn.[7]
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The St Kilda jumper is currently three vertical stripes of red, white and black on the front with the club shield. From 2008 the jumper's sponsor is Jeld-Wen, a windows and doors company. Jeld-Wen's logo also appears on the jumper.
[edit] Logo
In 1977 the VFL introduced official logos for the first time. Prior to 1977 logos were generally done by outside companies for sales of merchandise but were in no way official. All the clubs' logos were printed on shields and had navy blue top halfs to represent the VFL.
The St Kilda Football Club shield is one of the features of the Saints' jumper and is a symbol of the club. In 1980 the St Kilda logo had the border replaced with club colour of red. In 1989 the logo then changed to include the then AFL logo and the St Kilda crest sitting on the point posts. In 1995 the club dropped the VFL shield logo style and used the shield which had been on the St Kilda jumper since 1933.
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[edit] Song
The club song is sung to the tune of "When The Saints Come Marching In".[8]
Oh when the Saints, go marching in.
Oh when the Saints go marching in.
Oh how I want to be with St Kilda.
When the Saints go marching in.
Oh when the Saints (oh when the Saints).
Go marching in (go marching in).
Oh when the Saints go marching in.
Oh how I want to be with St Kilda.
When the Saints go marching in.
Until 1964, when St Kilda played at the Junction Oval, the club song at every match was an adaptation of "I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside". When the club moved to Moorabbin Oval a popular chant called "We are the Saints" was sung by supporters but, after the 1966 grand final, "When The Saints Go Marching In" eventually become established as the club song.
[edit] Home grounds
- Docklands Stadium (Etihad Stadium), Docklands, Melbourne; 2000 – present
- Waverley Park, Mulgrave; 1993 – 1999
- Moorabbin Oval, Moorabbin; 1965 – 1992
- Junction Oval, St Kilda; 1877 – 1964
[edit] Training ground
The club's training and administration base remained at Moorabbin Oval after home games were moved to Waverley Park (VFL Park) in 1993. Moorabbin remains the club's training, administration and social club base. In 2008 it was announced that the club is building a multi-million dollar training and administration base facility in Seaford near Frankston which is expected to be completed by 2010. St Kilda intends to retain its presence at Moorabbin Oval with the social club facilities remaining there and the lease agreement for Moorabbin reserve continuing, with the team continuing to use Moorabbin as a training venue.
[edit] Club honours
- Premiership
- Winners (1): 1966
| Preceded by Essendon |
VFL/AFL Premiers 1966 |
Succeeded by Richmond |
- Minor Premierships
- Winners (2): 1965, 1997
| Preceded by Sydney |
VFL/AFL Minor Premiers 1997 |
Succeeded by North Melbourne |
| Preceded by Melbourne |
VFL/AFL Minor Premiers 1965 |
Succeeded by Collingwood |
- Pre-Season Cup/Night Series Premierships
- Winners (4): 1958, 1996, 2004, 2008
| Preceded by Carlton |
AFL Pre-Season Cup Winners 2008 |
Succeeded by Geelong |
| Preceded by Adelaide |
AFL Pre-Season Cup Winners 2004 |
Succeeded by Carlton |
| Preceded by North Melbourne |
AFL Pre-Season Cup Winners 1996 |
Succeeded by Carlton |
- Runners-up (2): 1964, 1998
- Lightning Premiership
- Winners (1): 1940
[edit] Players and staff
[edit] Current squad
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[edit] Captain
The current captain of the St Kilda Football Club is Nick Riewoldt, who was appointed the sole captain of the club in 2008. Riewoldt was also a joint captain, with Luke Ball and Lenny Hayes, in the 2007 season and also sole captain for the 2005 season when Grant Thomas' rotation system was in use.
[edit] Officials
- President: Greg Westaway
- Vice President: Ross Levin
- Executive Director: Michael Nettlefold
- Director: Nathan Burke
- Director: John Gdanski
- Director: Simon Grant
- Director: Andrew Thompson
Coaching staff
- Coach: Ross Lyon
- Assistant Coach: Stephen Silvagni
- Assistant Coach: Leigh Tudor
- Assistant Coach: Tony Elshaug
[edit] Individual awards
[edit] Trevor Barker Award winners
The club's best and fairest award has been awarded since 1914. It has been awarded by its current name since the late 1990s to honour the name and memory of Trevor Barker, a former St Kilda player and reserves coach.
The following players have won the most St Kilda best and fairest awards:
- Nick Riewoldt: 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007
- Robert Harvey: 1992, 1994, 1997, 1998
- Bill Cubbins: 1921, 1923, 1928, 1929
[edit] Brownlow Medal winners
The Brownlow Medal is awarded to the "best and fairest" player in the Australian Football League (AFL) during the regular season (i.e., not including finals matches) as determined by votes cast by the officiating umpires after each game. It is the most prestigious award for individual players in the AFL. It is also widely acknowledged as the highest individual honour in the sport of Australian rules football.
- Robert Harvey, 1997 and 1998
- Tony Lockett, 1987
- Ian Stewart, 1965 and 1966
- Ross Smith, 1967
- Verdun Howell, 1959
- Neil Roberts, 1958
- Brian Gleeson, 1957
- Colin Watson, 1925
[edit] Michael Tuck Medal winners
Since 1992, the Michael Tuck Medal has been awarded to the best-and-fairest player in the AFL Pre-season Cup Final, only three St Kilda Football Club players have won it.
- Jason Gram: 2008
- Robert Harvey: 2004
- Nicky Winmar: 1996
[edit] Leigh Matthews Trophy winners
The Leigh Matthews Trophy is awarded by the AFL Players Association to the player voted the most valuable during the year, the award has been given out ever since Leigh Matthews first won it in 1982.
- Nick Riewoldt, 2004
- Robert Harvey, 1997
- Tony Lockett, 1987
[edit] Coleman Medal winners
The Coleman Medal is awarded to the leading goal scorer in the league in the home and away season. Prior to 1955 the league's leading goal scorer was awarded the Leading Goalkicker Medal.
- Fraser Gehrig, 2004 and 2005
- Tony Lockett, 1987 and 1991
- Bill Young, 1956
- Bill Mohr, 1936
- Charlie Baker, 1902
[edit] AFL Rising Star winners
The AFL Rising Star award is given to a young player considered to have significantly improved during the year. Every round, an Australian Football League rising star nomination is given to a standout young player. To be eligible for the award, a player must be under 21 on January 1 of that year, have played 10 or fewer senior games before the beginning of the season, and not have been suspended during the season.
- Nick Riewoldt, 2002
- Justin Koschitzke, 2001
[edit] Australian Football Hall of Fame
The Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996, the Centenary year of the Australian Football League, to help recognise the contributions made to the sport of Australian rules football by players, umpires, media personalities, coaches and administrators[11]. It was initially established with 136 inductees. As of 2008, this figure has grown to 219, including 22 "Legends". Current St Kilda players voted into the AFL's Hall of Fame:
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[edit] St Kilda Hall of Fame
St Kilda Football Club's Hall of Fame[12] players are picked by a committee. St Kilda’s 2008 Hall of Fame committee featured Ross Smith, Greg Westaway, Archie Fraser, Russell Holmesby, Neil Roberts, Allan Jeans and Danny Frawley. It has been held in 2003, 2007 and 2008 with 13 players being inducted each time.
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2008 Inductees |
2007 Inductees |
2003 Inductees |
[edit] St Kilda Team of the Century
At a special function in 2003 the St Kilda Football Club Team of the Century[13] was announced. Darrel Baldock, who captained the 1966 Grand Final team, was named as captain and Allan Jeans, who coached St Kilda for a record 17 years, was named as coach. Ian Stewart was also named a member of the AFL Team of the Century.
[edit] Records and statistics
- Greatest winning margin: 139 (2005, Round 22 v Brisbane Lions) [14]
- Largest attendance at a home game: 72,669 (1978, Waverley Park, v Collingwood)
- Most members in a season: 33,010 (2009) [15]
- Most premiership points in a season: 64 (2004, 22 rounds)
- Most consecutive wins: 15 (2009, Rounds 1-15)
- Most games: 383 Robert Harvey (1988-08)
- Most consecutive games: 123 Ian Synman (1961-68)
- Most goals kicked in a game: 15 Tony Lockett (1992, v Sydney Swans)
- Most club best and fairest awards: 4 Nick Riewoldt, Robert Harvey and Bill Cubbins
- Most matches as coach: 332 Allan Jeans (1961-76)
- Most matches as captain: Danny Frawley (1987-95)
- Most goals in a season: 132 Tony Lockett (1992)
- Most goals: 898 Tony Lockett (1983-94)
[edit] References
- ^ Ross, John & Hutchinson, Garrie, ed (1998). The Clubs. Penguin Books. pp. p321. ISBN 0-670-87858-8.
- ^ [1]
- ^ History of the VFL: 1877 - 2007
- ^ Jim Main, Aussie Rules for Dummies (2nd edition, 2008) p. 45
- ^ [2]
- ^ http://www.afana.com/cgi-bin/footybbs/webbbs_config.pl/frames=n/read/2121
- ^ http://www.footyjumpers.com
- ^ http://www.footy.com.au/dags/songs/saints.html
- ^ http://www.saints.com.au/players/tabid/5392/default.aspx
- ^ http://www.saints.com.au/staff/tabid/5410/default.aspx
- ^ http://www.afl.com.au/Season2007/Awards/HallofFame/tabid/265/Default.aspx Official Hall of Fame website
- ^ http://saints.com.au/Saints/TheClub/History/HallofFame/tabid/5391/Default.aspx
- ^ http://www.saintsational.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8604
- ^ http://en.allexperts.com/e/s/st/st_kilda_football_club.htm
- ^ http://www.saints.com.au/Membership/tabid/5428/default.aspx
[edit] External links
- Australian Football League official website
- St Kilda Saints discussion board
- St Kilda statistics and honour roll
- Around the Grounds web documentary
- AFL statistics website
- History of the St Kilda Football Club
- St Kilda Stats Page
- e-saint – St Kilda FC website with original short films about supporters
- Saintsational.com – unofficial St Kilda fan forum
- St Kilda Saints discussion board on The Animal Enclosure
- St Kilda Football Club supporter website
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