Saints want to be grinners and winners: Age Article

[TimeToShineFellas]

(Source: http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/s ... 55606.html)

Saints want to be grinners and winners
Lyall Johnson | March 5, 2008

YOU never know. The Saints might even crack it for a smile if they win the NAB Cup final on Saturday night.

Unlike 2004, when captain Lenny Hayes and coach Grant Thomas looked as though they had been presented with the wooden spoon rather than a pre-season premiership cup.

But St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna said yesterday that too much was made of their po-faces at the cup presentation.

This time, the Saints would enjoy victory if it came and were prepared to work hard to get it.

Montagna said they would be close to fielding a full-strength side against the Crows at AAMI Stadium. Max Hudghton, Matt Maguire and Brendon Goddard would not play, but forward Justin Koschitzke and defender Sam Fisher are both good chances, along with Nick Riewoldt, who probably will play more than the three quarters he completed last week against Essendon.

Luke Ball and Hayes, who came back in the semi-final win over the Bombers, got through unscathed and also will line up, as will ruckman Michael Gardiner, who after a year on the sidelines is enjoying a relatively injury-free pre-season.

"We should have a few players coming back this week, which would be healthy for the team," Montagna said. "We've been really consistent with our players so far. Some of the young guys might have to be left out if Kozzie (Koschitzke) and Sam Fisher and these blokes come back this week.

"It's healthy competition and … if we can have 26 or 27 players vying for round one, then it's going to make us a good team. (Riewoldt's) on track to play. His first game was last week and he'll build up to round one. I'm sure the fitness staff and the coach will have something similar for him."

Montagna said he felt the players valued the pre-season competition and would be doing their best to win on Saturday.

He also hoped the Saints could repeat their efforts of 2004 when, after after winning the pre-season competition, they went on to notch 10 straight victories in the regular season.

"Getting four really good games under our belts is going to hold us in good stead and if we can come out and do anything like we did in 2004, it is going to be great for the start of the season," he said. "It would be nice to win a NAB Cup, it's nice to win any grand final you play in. Obviously, the main focus is the home-and-away season but if you can take some silverware along the way, we'll take it.

"We have been a little bit surprised (by the negative talk), it's just sort of snowballed this year about the NAB Cup.

"It doesn't matter what type of game the players are playing in, you're always trying to win.

"Obviously, the coaches have got to worry about managing their players and really the practice games at this time of year are to try and make sure the players are fit and are at their peak fitness at round one."

In recent days, the Crows have said they would rather win round one than the NAB Cup if there had to be a choice, but Montagna wasn't having any of it yesterday.

"Win them both. I can't see why not. You just win this week and win round one. I don't know why you'd have to choose between either one. It makes no difference to us," he said.