Can we PLEASE change the SS front page article?

[Quixote]

It is old and painfully out of date.

No need for replies - just a request.

[battye]

Quixote, are you offering to write an article?

[Enrico_Misso]

The picture on the far right is also a bit dated

[Dis Believer]

Here's an article you can put up, or ive to someone that knows what their doing to spruce up a bit:

Well,

2009 came and went and like most seasons for Saints devotees it provided some highly unlikely highs and lows. It will take many a long time to get over the heart-breaking Grand Final outcome – to have one hand on the cup and let it slip really burns for many of us.

But out of it all at least every one of the Saints faithful seems to be in agreement now on our current coach. How good is this guy? Let’s just hope that the passage of time sees the diminishing of debate over a certain past coach.

The highs included a record breaking home and away season, players such as Montagna, Dal Santo, Ray, Gram, Goddard, McQualter taking their game up another notch, and the unlikely emergence of one Zac Dawson as a long term replacement in the defensive key post.

The lows included the obvious, the finale to the season, the final farewell of a favourite son in the number 8, and the disappointment of losing the X-man to injury yet again and then permanently at seasons end to the Brisvegas Lions.

Out of it all there is probably more cause for optimism about the upcoming season than at any other time in our clubs colourful history. As a club that has run on hope more than most, the fact that our hope is well-founded makes for and exciting 2010. More than at any other time in recent memory, positions in our starting 22 have to be fought for and retained on the back of consistent, high-level performance. Our club has finally transformed into a clinical, professional, ruthless entity that seeks the ultimate team success above all else. It has take some of us a little while to adjust to that concept, but I think we all agree that the outcomes it can deliver are those that we all crave for our beloved Saints.

We have a quality, deep list with a great group of young kids and prospects doing a proper apprenticeship to earn a senior berth, a far cry from the not too distant past, when promising young kids where thrown in at the deep end out of sheer necessity (anyone re-call a game against Sydney with Troy Schwarze at full back at about 19 years of age, with Daniel Wulf at full forward, also about 19 years old).

We have creative, lateral-thinking recruitment and list management that sees exciting, quality players like Andrew Lovett joining the club and also has numerous fans itching to see the highly anticipated Irish recruit Tommy Walsh pull on the boots.

And to top it all off, things are finally underway in the development of a state of the art training facility. The debate about it’s location will probably continue for years to come, but no matter where you locate, you will always be closer for some and further for others, so you can’t please all of the people all of the time.

None the less, it will give our conditioning and medical staff a much deserved improvement in facilities to support their brilliant effort that saw us finally defeat the injury beast and actually get to the point of needing to give players a freshen up in the latter part of season 2009.

So on to 2010. What does it hold? Who knows, but one thing is sure, that the Saints will enter the season as genuine contenders, with a strong list, a great coach, and a passionate support base, united by the belief that our next flag is there for the taking. That belief is a nice replacement for what we used to have to survive on – hope.

[Sainter_Dad]

Here's an article you can put up

Got my vote!

[Gilbo1on1]

Here's an article you can put up

Got my vote!

How about this one SD -- I ran a comb through it?

To have had one hand on the Premiership Cup in the 2009 Grand Final and to have had it off hurts a lot for many of us. Although it has been said that one must compete in a Grand Final in order to be able to win a Premiership it comes as no surprise to find that the hunger remains and the heart burns.

Disappointment in 2009 included the finale to the season, the farewell of a favourite son in Max Hudghton, losing ‘The X-man’ Xavier Clarke to injury then permanently to Brisbane and the de-listing of an enduring Matt Maguire.

The 2009 highs included a record-breaking Home and Away Season that contained nineteen consecutive victories of twenty with one of the best winning percentage's in VFL/AFL history and record Membership. We were the Minor Premiers and the Finals Series saw us go one step further than in 2008 with a gutsy Prelim win.

It also appears that the Saints faithful are in agreement on the virtue's of our Senior Coach, Ross Lyon and his staff of Assistant Coaches. Our footy club has been transformed into a brutally professional and clinical organisation that seeks team success above all else. It has taken some of us to adjust to that concept, however the St Kilda Football Club can achieve the ultimate success we all desire as beloved Saints.

Saints Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Jason Gram, Brendon Goddard, Sam Gilbert and Andrew McQualter took their game to a new level in 2009 and the perhaps unexpected emergence of Zac Dawson as a long term quality Defender may have surprised many people. More than at any other time in recent memory, positions in the team's starting twenty-two from a player's perspective may need to be competitively earned in 2010 and retained on the back of consistently high-level performances.

The St Kilda Football Club now have a creatively lateral-thinking Recruitment and List Management Department who have recognised talented players in Andrew Lovett, Brett Peake and Irish recruit Tommy Walsh for their value-adding to our depth through bringing them to the club and we have a very talented group of younger players whom have the prospect of doing proper apprenticeship’s in order to earn senior berths.

Simply put, there is greater cause for optimism about the upcoming season for St Kilda than there may have ever been at any time prior in our club's history. As a Club that has arguably been run on hope more than most, the fact that our hope is well-founded makes for extra-ordinarily exciting times. Since 1873 The St Kilda Football Club has existed as The St Kilda Football Club whilst others have either merged, relocated or dissolved and it is that which makes us proud. Our One-hundred-and-thirty-seven years of history stands as a testament to our future.

The construction of our new Elite Training and Administration Facility is underway and expected for completion during 2010. The debate surrounding its location will probably continue for many years to come, however it will reportedly provide the club’s Medical and Conditioning Staff with extra abilities in their brilliant effort’s to improve which saw us finally defeat the injury beast and recognise the importance of needing to give some players a freshen-up toward the latter part of a season. Depending upon opinion it may also allow Members an alternative perspective to that of Moorabbin and a greater appreciation of what is required to succeed at an elite footy level.

One thing’s for sure and it is that The Saints will enter the 2010 Toyota AFL Premiership Season as definite Premiership Contenders if not Flag Favourites. With a great Coach, a great List and a passionately united support base, the club's past sense of a ‘survival test’ has been rapidly replaced by a sense of purpose and belief. As Saints, we can all look forward to a satisfyingly pleasurable 2010 and the belief that our next flag is here for the taking.

[Bernard Shakey]

There is a front page article? I've never seen it.

[Gilbo1on1]

There is a front page article? I've never seen it.

seriously?

[Bernard Shakey]

There is a front page article? I've never seen it.

seriously?

Yeah seriously, I had not seen it until 2 minutes ago.

Must have been sent the forum link years ago and bookmarked that.

[Gilbo1on1]

There is a front page article? I've never seen it.

seriously?

Yeah seriously, I had not seen it until 2 minutes ago.

Must have been sent the forum link years ago and bookmarked that.

dude, in the words of buffalo springfield .. for what it's worth, you need to update your browser! it has been there all year

[Dis Believer]

Wow. That is really interesting. To see someone else's re-write of your own words is actually really interesting.

I literally wrote that straight of the top of my head in about 10 minutes, but can honestly say that if I had done 3 re-writes I still don't reckon I would have ended up with the same outcome. Very impressed. Great Joj Gilbo.

Except for

To have had one hand on the Premiership Cup in the 2009 Grand Final and to have had it off

Not quite sure I wold have used the same phrasing - but gave me a childish laugh all the same.

[HSVKing]

There is a front page article? I've never seen it.

seriously?

Yeah seriously, I had not seen it until 2 minutes ago.

Must have been sent the forum link years ago and bookmarked that.

dude, in the words of buffalo springfield .. for what it's worth, you need to update your browser! it has been there all year

Like BS, I too have my favourite set to the forum, and not the homepage. So mine goes straight to it. I bet there's a number of people who are the same and probably never seen it either.

[Gilbo1on1]

Wow. That is really interesting. To see someone else's re-write of your own words is actually really interesting.

I literally wrote that straight of the top of my head in about 10 minutes, but can honestly say that if I had done 3 re-writes I still don't reckon I would have ended up with the same outcome. Very impressed. Great Joj Gilbo.

Except for

To have had one hand on the Premiership Cup in the 2009 Grand Final and to have had it off

Not quite sure I wold have used the same phrasing - but gave me a childish laugh all the same.

haha yeah cool. it took me about twenty-five minutes in the editing suite.
i wanted to keep the original message of your article because the nuts and bolts were there and it was a good read.
The Year of the Saint needs to be retired. sorry Inker!

I'll re-write the first line though.
If the mods like it they can put it up. All you need to do is find a title for it and you'll get te credit: '________' by True Believer.

[Gilbo1on1]

To have had one hand on the Premiership Cup in the 2009 Grand Final and for it to have slipped off hurts a lot for many of us. Although it has been said that one must compete in a Grand Final in order to be able to win a Premiership it comes as no surprise to find that the hunger remains and the heart burns.

Disappointment in 2009 included the finale to the season, the farewell of a favourite son in Max Hudghton, losing ‘The X-man’ Xavier Clarke to injury then permanently to Brisbane and the de-listing of an enduring Matt Maguire.

The 2009 highs included a record-breaking Home and Away Season that contained nineteen consecutive victories of twenty with one of the best winning percentage's in VFL/AFL history and record Membership. We were the Minor Premiers and the Finals Series saw us go one step further than in 2008 with a gutsy Prelim win.

It also appears that the Saints faithful are in agreement on the virtue's of our Senior Coach, Ross Lyon and his staff of Assistant Coaches. Our footy club has been transformed into a brutally professional and clinical organisation that seeks team success above all else. It has taken some of us to adjust to that concept, however the St Kilda Football Club can achieve the ultimate success we all desire as beloved Saints.

Saints Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Jason Gram, Brendon Goddard, Sam Gilbert and Andrew McQualter took their game to a new level in 2009 and the perhaps unexpected emergence of Zac Dawson as a long term quality Defender may have surprised many people. More than at any other time in recent memory, positions in the team's starting twenty-two from a player's perspective may need to be competitively earned in 2010 and retained on the back of consistently high-level performances.

The St Kilda Football Club now have a creatively lateral-thinking Recruitment and List Management Department who have recognised talented players in Andrew Lovett, Brett Peake and Irish recruit Tommy Walsh for their value-adding to our depth through bringing them to the club and we have a very talented group of younger players whom have the prospect of doing proper apprenticeship’s in order to earn senior berths.

Simply put, there is greater cause for optimism about the upcoming season for St Kilda than there may have ever been at any time prior in our club's history. As a Club that has arguably been run on hope more than most, the fact that our hope is well-founded makes for extra-ordinarily exciting times. Since 1873 The St Kilda Football Club has existed as The St Kilda Football Club whilst others have either merged, relocated or dissolved and it is that which makes us proud. Our One-hundred-and-thirty-seven years of history stands as a testament to our future.

The construction of our new Elite Training and Administration Facility is underway and expected for completion during 2010. The debate surrounding its location will probably continue for many years to come, however it will reportedly provide the club’s Medical and Conditioning Staff with extra abilities in their brilliant effort’s to improve which saw us finally defeat the injury beast and recognise the importance of needing to give some players a freshen-up toward the latter part of a season. Depending upon opinion it may also allow Members an alternative perspective to that of Moorabbin and a greater appreciation of what is required to succeed at an elite footy level.

One thing’s for sure and it is that The Saints will enter the 2010 Toyota AFL Premiership Season as definite Premiership Contenders if not Flag Favourites. With a great Coach, a great List and a passionately united support base, the club's past sense of a ‘survival test’ has been rapidly replaced by a sense of purpose and belief. As Saints, we can all look forward to a satisfyingly pleasurable 2010 and the belief that our next flag is here for the taking.

[SainterK]

Wow. That is really interesting. To see someone else's re-write of your own words is actually really interesting.

I literally wrote that straight of the top of my head in about 10 minutes, but can honestly say that if I had done 3 re-writes I still don't reckon I would have ended up with the same outcome. Very impressed. Great Joj Gilbo.

Except for

To have had one hand on the Premiership Cup in the 2009 Grand Final and to have had it off

Not quite sure I wold have used the same phrasing - but gave me a childish laugh all the same.

haha yeah cool. it took me about twenty-five minutes in the editing suite.
i wanted to keep the original message of your article because the nuts and bolts were there and it was a good read.
The Year of the Saint needs to be retired. sorry Inker!

I'll re-write the first line though.
If the mods like it they can put it up. All you need to do is find a title for it and you'll get te credit: '________' by True Believer.

What about "2010 - Unfinished Business"

[Gilbo1on1]

Wow. That is really interesting. To see someone else's re-write of your own words is actually really interesting.

I literally wrote that straight of the top of my head in about 10 minutes, but can honestly say that if I had done 3 re-writes I still don't reckon I would have ended up with the same outcome. Very impressed. Great Joj Gilbo.

Except for

To have had one hand on the Premiership Cup in the 2009 Grand Final and to have had it off

Not quite sure I wold have used the same phrasing - but gave me a childish laugh all the same.

haha yeah cool. it took me about twenty-five minutes in the editing suite.
i wanted to keep the original message of your article because the nuts and bolts were there and it was a good read.
The Year of the Saint needs to be retired. sorry Inker!

I'll re-write the first line though.
If the mods like it they can put it up. All you need to do is find a title for it and you'll get te credit: '________' by True Believer.

What about "2010 - Unfinished Business"

i like it -- True believer?

[Dis Believer]

Gets my vote - good job.
And thanks for makng me sound eloquent.

[Gilbo1on1]

Unfinished Business
By True Believer

To have had one hand on the Premiership Cup in the 2009 Grand Final and for it to have slipped off hurts a lot for many of us. Although it has been said that one must compete in a Grand Final in order to be able to win a Premiership it comes as no surprise to find that the hunger remains and the heart burns.

Disappointment in 2009 included the finale to the season, the farewell of a favourite son in Max Hudghton, losing ‘The X-man’ Xavier Clarke to injury then permanently to Brisbane and the de-listing of an enduring Matt Maguire.

The 2009 highs included a record-breaking Home and Away Season that contained nineteen consecutive victories of twenty with one of the best winning percentage's in VFL/AFL history and record Membership. We were the Minor Premiers and the Finals Series saw us go one step further than in 2008 with a gutsy Prelim win.

It also appears that the Saints faithful are in agreement on the virtue's of our Senior Coach, Ross Lyon and his staff of Assistant Coaches. Our footy club has been transformed into a brutally professional and clinical organisation that seeks team success above all else. It has taken some of us to adjust to that concept, however the St Kilda Football Club can achieve the ultimate success we all desire as beloved Saints.

Saints Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Jason Gram, Brendon Goddard, Sam Gilbert and Andrew McQualter took their game to a new level in 2009 and the perhaps unexpected emergence of Zac Dawson as a long term quality Defender may have surprised many people. More than at any other time in recent memory, positions in the team's starting twenty-two from a player's perspective may need to be competitively earned in 2010 and retained on the back of consistently high-level performances.

The St Kilda Football Club now have a creatively lateral-thinking Recruitment and List Management Department who have recognised talented players in Andrew Lovett, Brett Peake and Irish recruit Tommy Walsh for their value-adding to our depth through bringing them to the club and we have a very talented group of younger players whom have the prospect of doing proper apprenticeship’s in order to earn senior berths.

Simply put, there is greater cause for optimism about the upcoming season for St Kilda than there may have ever been at any time prior in our club's history. As a Club that has arguably been run on hope more than most, the fact that our hope is well-founded makes for extra-ordinarily exciting times. Since 1873 The St Kilda Football Club has existed as The St Kilda Football Club whilst others have either merged, relocated or dissolved and it is that which makes us proud. Our One-hundred-and-thirty-seven years of history stands as a testament to our future.

The construction of our new Elite Training and Administration Facility is underway and expected for completion during 2010. The debate surrounding its location will probably continue for many years to come, however it will reportedly provide the club’s Medical and Conditioning Staff with extra abilities in their brilliant effort’s to improve which saw us finally defeat the injury beast and recognise the importance of needing to give some players a freshen-up toward the latter part of a season. Depending upon opinion it may also allow Members an alternative perspective to that of Moorabbin and a greater appreciation of what is required to succeed at an elite footy level.

One thing’s for sure and it is that The Saints will enter the 2010 Toyota AFL Premiership Season as definite Premiership Contenders if not Flag Favourites. With a great Coach, a great List and a passionately united support base, the club's past sense of a ‘survival test’ has been rapidly replaced by a sense of purpose and belief. As Saints, we can all look forward to a satisfyingly pleasurable 2010 and the belief that our next flag is here for the taking.

[saintbrat]

may I suggest - if your taking suggestions-
we leave it a week or two if we're going to point to specific players as there are still fluid situations- Ie Bally and draft--

[Enrico_Misso]

How about a summer feature on gardening?

[saintbrat]

How about a summer feature on gardening?

red white and black garden?
with green training?

[Gilbo1on1]

How about a summer feature on gardening?

[Quixote]

Great work TB and Gilbo. I'm sure any of us would be happy to see that go up. (And yes - my Safari link was for a while to the Front Page, it is normally straight to the Forum, so I can understand that ppl didn't know about it.)


I also have an idea for an article, comparing the GF loss and it's aftermath to the 7 (or 5, whoever you read) stages of grief/loss. You know, Denial, Anger, Bargaining, etc... It would try to be humouress about the whole thing I guess, and also take a look at 2010.


If I can get around to writing I'll certainly post it here.




PS bit of a tip around for Alcopop on Tuesday

[battye]

If everyone is happy, I will put this on the front page?

Unfinished Business
By True Believer

To have had one hand on the Premiership Cup in the 2009 Grand Final and for it to have slipped off hurts a lot for many of us. Although it has been said that one must compete in a Grand Final in order to be able to win a Premiership it comes as no surprise to find that the hunger remains and the heart burns.

Disappointment in 2009 included the finale to the season, the farewell of a favourite son in Max Hudghton, losing ‘The X-man’ Xavier Clarke to injury then permanently to Brisbane and the de-listing of an enduring Matt Maguire.

The 2009 highs included a record-breaking Home and Away Season that contained nineteen consecutive victories of twenty with one of the best winning percentage's in VFL/AFL history and record Membership. We were the Minor Premiers and the Finals Series saw us go one step further than in 2008 with a gutsy Prelim win.

It also appears that the Saints faithful are in agreement on the virtue's of our Senior Coach, Ross Lyon and his staff of Assistant Coaches. Our footy club has been transformed into a brutally professional and clinical organisation that seeks team success above all else. It has taken some of us to adjust to that concept, however the St Kilda Football Club can achieve the ultimate success we all desire as beloved Saints.

Saints Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Jason Gram, Brendon Goddard, Sam Gilbert and Andrew McQualter took their game to a new level in 2009 and the perhaps unexpected emergence of Zac Dawson as a long term quality Defender may have surprised many people. More than at any other time in recent memory, positions in the team's starting twenty-two from a player's perspective may need to be competitively earned in 2010 and retained on the back of consistently high-level performances.

The St Kilda Football Club now have a creatively lateral-thinking Recruitment and List Management Department who have recognised talented players in Andrew Lovett, Brett Peake and Irish recruit Tommy Walsh for their value-adding to our depth through bringing them to the club and we have a very talented group of younger players whom have the prospect of doing proper apprenticeship’s in order to earn senior berths.

Simply put, there is greater cause for optimism about the upcoming season for St Kilda than there may have ever been at any time prior in our club's history. As a Club that has arguably been run on hope more than most, the fact that our hope is well-founded makes for extra-ordinarily exciting times. Since 1873 The St Kilda Football Club has existed as The St Kilda Football Club whilst others have either merged, relocated or dissolved and it is that which makes us proud. Our One-hundred-and-thirty-seven years of history stands as a testament to our future.

The construction of our new Elite Training and Administration Facility is underway and expected for completion during 2010. The debate surrounding its location will probably continue for many years to come, however it will reportedly provide the club’s Medical and Conditioning Staff with extra abilities in their brilliant effort’s to improve which saw us finally defeat the injury beast and recognise the importance of needing to give some players a freshen-up toward the latter part of a season. Depending upon opinion it may also allow Members an alternative perspective to that of Moorabbin and a greater appreciation of what is required to succeed at an elite footy level.

One thing’s for sure and it is that The Saints will enter the 2010 Toyota AFL Premiership Season as definite Premiership Contenders if not Flag Favourites. With a great Coach, a great List and a passionately united support base, the club's past sense of a ‘survival test’ has been rapidly replaced by a sense of purpose and belief. As Saints, we can all look forward to a satisfyingly pleasurable 2010 and the belief that our next flag is here for the taking.

[SainterK]

Looks great